Published on: 11/11/2024 · Last updated on: 14/11/2024
What is Noteable?
Noteable is a hosted service provided by EDINA that gives each student a Jupyter environment to run and execute Python/R code in the cloud (via a Jupyter notebook, Jupyterlab or Rstudio interface). Staff can add a Noteable activity to their Moodle space: this allows students to access the Noteable environment and for staff gives them the ability to distribute, collect work and grade/autograde student work.
Why use Noteable?
Noteable is a hosted computing service and is an alternative to students installing software on their own machines. This can remove some barriers when teaching large (and beginner) groups of students to code. Students only need a web browser, which removes common student issues around hardware, operating system, storage, library/package dependency and installation issues. Students have access to their files anywhere with an internet connection (e.g. moving from computing lab to personal laptop). As they’re also just working in Jupyter environment they can easily download their files when their course completes or they move onto a local installation/different platform.
As a teacher, there are additional tools to distribute, collect and grade/autograde student work, through Noteable.
How to get Noteable access and add a Noteable activity to Moodle?
Access to Noteable is only through a Noteable Activity on Moodle, that a Moodle Teacher must first create. A Moodle course should have one Noteable activity on the unit:
- If there is already a Noteable activity in a Moodle space, it’s recommended to use and rename this Noteable activity and use this as the access portal.
- If you there is no Noteable activity in a Moodle space, then go to “Add an Activity of resource” and select “Noteable” from the list of activities. Give the Noteable activity an appropriate title (e.g. “[Unit code] Noteable access portal”) and an Activity description.
Staff/students access Noteable by clicking on the Noteable Activity in Moodle. This will authenticate the user and take you to the Noteable service. You must select a personal notebook server (this defines the available libraries and tools for that session). The Standard Python 3 uses the Jupyterlab interface with common libraries installed (e.g. NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib) and is a good starting place for most.
Can I login into Noteable directly?
No. Staff and students must access Noteable via the Noteable Activity on a Moodle page (see above).
What libraries are installed on Noteable? Can I install my own packages?
Noteable have a number of pre-configured “Notebook servers” (detailed list of Notebook packages), with the version of these packages remaining static during academic year to avoid compatibility issues.
Staff and students can install packages on the fly (e.g. via pip or CRAN), however these changes are only kept in the session and must be re-installed the next time you start Noteable – see the Noteable – FAQ for more details.
Where can I find help with using Noteable?
See the Noteable Resources for Guidance and also see the Noteable FAQs. For service issues please use the Noteable – Contact Us form.
Additionally, University of Bath staff are recommended to join the Link to the Jupyterhub project MS Teams space, where we share tips and will inform you of updates.
How can I use notebooks effectively in my teaching?
There are many benefits to using Jupyter Notebooks in learning and teaching: the Literate Programming approach [Knuth 1984, Ramsey 1994] allows students to engage with the narrative and results (potentially useful for mitigating the use of Generative AI within coding activities).
The Catalogue of Pedagogical Patterns in Teaching and Learning with Jupyter [2019] gives a wide range of ideas for structuring activities to challenge and engage students (beyond the gap fill in the blanks type Notebooks).
Additionally, University of Bath staff are recommended to join the Link to the Jupyterhub project MS Teams space, where we share tips and will inform you of updates.