Terms of Use for RWTHmoodle
Terms of Use for RWTHmoodle
Important Note
The following text is a translation of the German text for the terms of use and was created with the AI-based translation service DeepL. The English version is provided for informational purposes only. Only the German version is legally binding.
Preamble
The RWTHmoodle teaching and learning platform is a web-based learning management system (LMS) and part of the blended learning infrastructure of RWTH Aachen University. It is operated, developed and technically supported by the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning Services (CLS). The platform is based on the open source software Moodle.
RWTHmoodle is offered as a service with the aim of promoting digital teaching and (self-)learning independent of time and location. The platform is organized into virtual, access-protected course rooms. These are used for course-related teaching and learning opportunities, further education and training to promote knowledge transfer, instruction courses, and study-oriented and preparatory courses.
By using RWTHmoodle, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions of Use.
Sec. 1 Scope of application
The General Terms and Conditions of Use for RWTHmoodle apply to any person who uses the LMS as an authorized user within the "meaning of Sec. 2" of these provisions.
Sec. 2 Authorized users
In accordance with section 9 HG NRW and section 3 Basic Regulations of RWTH Aachen University, all members, affiliates, and alumni of RWTH Aachen University are authorized to use the course rooms. In addition, persons with the role of “Member Organizational Unit,” external guests invited to a course room, and persons participating in RWTH Aachen University's preparatory or study-oriented programs, such as preliminary courses or information days, are also authorized to use the system.
The use of RWTHmoodle is free of charge for authorized users.
Sec. 3 User IDs and Logging into the System
The course rooms in RWTHmoodle are access-protected. To use them, you must first log in to the system. Members, affiliates, and alumni of RWTH Aachen University, as well as persons with the role of “Member Organizational Unit” and guests invited to a course room, log in to the RWTH Aachen University single sign-on system using the user ID assigned to them.
Persons with the role “Member Organizational Unit” and guests invited to a course room create the required user ID manually and independently as part of a coupon process. The data provided when redeeming the coupon to obtain the user ID must be correct and complete.
Individuals participating in preparatory or study-oriented programs log into the system using a temporary local Moodle user ID and a separate login page. The RWTHmoodle administration provides users with the local user ID at the request of the program organizer and deletes it after a maximum of one year.
Users must keep their user ID and password confidential and protect them from unauthorized use. Passing them on to third parties is prohibited. If you notice or suspect that your access data is being misused by third parties, you are obliged to notify the RWTHmoodle administration immediately.
Sec. 4 Access to Course Rooms and User Permissions
The following groups of people are automatically assigned the role of Manager in course rooms for courses if they have one of the following functions in RWTHonline, the campus management system (CMS) of RWTH Aachen University:
Lecturers of a course
Assistants of a course
RWTHmoodle Administration of the organizational unit responsible for the course
The following groups of people are automatically assigned the role of Manager in course rooms for preparing for and following up on exam dates if they have one of the following functions in the RWTH Aachen CMS:
Examiner of the examination date
Examination Event Participant Administration (PV Participant Administration) or PV Participant Administration Administration of the organizational unit that manages the examination date
RWTHmoodle Administration of the organizational unit managing the examination date.
Individuals who are assigned as trainers to a further education and training event in the RWTH Aachen University's Staff Development Events Database are automatically assigned the role of Manager in the corresponding course rooms.
The role of Instruction Administration is assigned by the RWTHmoodle Administration at the request of the specialist administration for instructions at Department 5.5 of the Central University Administration (ZHV).
The role of Instruction Manager is automatically assigned in the Instruction Courses course area to RWTH employees who have been assigned the role of IT Security Instruction Management or Occupational Safety Instruction Management by the role management of their organizational unit. The organizational unit must belong to the central or academic area.
Individuals who have the role of Instruction Administration in a course room can manually add individuals who already have a user ID for RWTHmoodle to this course room at any time, assigning them the roles of Manager, Tutor, or Extra Participant.
Persons who have the role of Manager in a course room can manually assign the roles of Manager, Tutor, or Extra Participant in this course room in the same way.
Persons with the role of Instruction Manager can only assign the role of Extra Participant.
Individuals who do not yet have a user ID can be invited to the course room assigning them the roles of Manager, Tutor, or Extra Participant. Invited guests can create a user ID for RWTH Single Sign-On using a coupon procedure.
Without contractual agreements with RWTH Aachen University and appropriate declarations of commitment to comply with data protection requirements, it is not permitted to assign the roles of Manager or Tutor for a course room to RWTH students or external parties.
Students enrolled at RWTH Aachen University who have registered for a course in the CMS and have been assigned a fixed place in the registration process automatically get access to the corresponding course room in the role of Student.
Students enrolled at RWTH Aachen University who have registered for an exam date in the CMS automatically get access to the corresponding course room for preparation and follow-up work for exam dates in the role of Student.
Individuals participating in a further education and training event from the Staff Development Events Database automatically get access to the corresponding course room with the role of Student.
Persons who enroll themselves in a course room configured for this purpose are assigned the role of Extra Participant.
The type and scope of data processing in RWTHmoodle are explained in the RWTHmoodle privacy policy. The roles, their access rights, and their options for displaying personal data are explained in the RWTHmoodle documentation.
RWTH Aachen University endeavors to make its websites and mobile applications accessible in accordance with national legislation implementing Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The status of the RWTHmoodle website's compliance with these requirements is documented in the Accessibility Statement.
Sec. 5 Obligations of Users
The LMS is available to users exclusively for the purpose of supporting study and teaching, professional development and further education, as well as study-oriented and preparatory courses. Any other use, in particular for business, commercial, or private purposes, is not permitted.
When using the LMS, the applicable provisions of the module handbooks, the degree program- or subject-specific examination regulations, and the General Examination Regulations must be observed. The provisions of existing service agreements must also be observed.
Teachers who collect graded work such as term papers or similar via the LMS must archive these separately outside the teaching and learning platform in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. Download options are available for this purpose in activities such as assignments in the LMS.
RWTH Aachen University provides the Dynexite examination system for conducting electronic examinations, including online remote examinations. Conducting electronic examinations with RWTHmoodle is not permitted.
Users are obliged to comply with all applicable legal regulations, in particular the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation, criminal law, and copyright law.
Monitoring the behavior and performance of employees based on personal data collected in RWTHmoodle is not permitted.
It is not permitted to pass on personal data of other users registered in the LMS to third parties. This includes, for example, first and last names, email addresses, student ID numbers, or grades achieved.
When providing content (scripts, lecture slides, videos, research results, etc.), all users are obliged to stick to copyright laws. Copyright-protected works (books, essays, illustrations, images, graphics, videos, etc.) may only be used if at least one of the following conditions is met:
You have obtained the appropriate permission to use the work from the copyright holder.
You are quoting the work in accordance with the provisions of copyright law, Section 51 of the German Copyright Act (UrhG).
You may use the work in exceptional cases under the provisions of Section 60a UrhG without the permission of the copyright holder.
You may use works under Creative Commons licenses in compliance with the license terms.
Links to illegal content are not permitted. Linked content must be checked for legal violations before linking.
All content posted on the platform, in particular texts, videos, audio files, photographs, and graphics, is protected by copyright. It may only be used within the limited circle of participants in the RWTHmoodle course room and for private purposes.
Outside the protected RWTHmoodle learning environment, the content may not be copied, modified, reproduced, or published in whole or in part without the prior written consent of the copyright holders or legal permission. Sharing the content beyond the limited circle of participants in the RWTHmoodle learning environment therefore constitutes publication requiring permission.
Content published under the Creative Commons License is marked as such. It may be used in accordance with the specified license terms.
Anyone who violates copyright law (e.g., by copying or sharing images or texts without permission) is liable to prosecution under Sections 106ff. of the German Copyright Act (UrhG), will receive a warning letter with costs, and must pay damages to the rights holders (Section 97 UrhG).
The provisions of sections 7 to 13 also apply to posts in forums and other communication tools of the LMS.
Always follow the netiquette rules when using RWTHmoodle.
It is not permitted to use the LMS to
unauthorizedly modify, misuse, delete, or otherwise render unusable data,
technically attack the IT security of the LMS or other central IT systems or use or distribute harmful components (viruses, worms, Trojan horses, etc.),
distribute pornographic content,
commit defamatory offenses (defamation, insults, libel, etc.),
threaten others, or
post inflammatory, extremist or racist content on the platform.
Sec. 6 Exclusion from Use
RWTH Aachen University reserves the right to warn users who violate these terms of use or to temporarily or permanently exclude them from using the LMS. Before a possible exclusion, the person concerned will be heard in writing or orally. Violations of applicable law will be reported to the authorities.
Please note that the RWTHmoodle system administration can always trace which user account has posted content that violates the provisions set out here. This also applies to anonymous posts, which are possible in some learning activities and are only anonymous to other people in the course, but not to the system administration.
Persons excluded from use may be readmitted if it is ensured that the abusive behavior will be refrained from in the future.
Sec. 7 Liability
RWTH Aachen University is not liable for material or immaterial damages arising from the use of the LMS or the content posted therein.
The IT Center at RWTH Aachen University cannot guarantee the permanent availability of the LMS. Operation may be interrupted, in particular due to maintenance work or technical malfunctions. Liability for damages of any kind arising from an interruption of service is excluded.
RWTH Aachen University accepts no responsibility or liability for the topicality, correctness, completeness, or quality of the data and information provided centrally in the LMS.
In case of culpable violations of legal obligations or the obligations regulated in these General Terms and Conditions of Use, the user shall be liable in accordance with the statutory provisions.
Sec. 8 Changes to the Terms of Use
RWTH Aachen University reserves the right to amend or supplement these Terms of Use with future effect. Once the amended Terms of Use have been published, users must give their consent again.
Sec. 9 Contact Data and Legal Notices
If you have any questions about RWTHmoodle and these General Terms and Conditions of Use, please contact the IT Service Desk: servicedesk@itc.rwth-aachen.de
Information about the publisher of this website can be found in Site Credits