Why Moodle?

Slide 1: Using a Virtual Learning Environment to Promote Learning & Communication Sheilla Norton St. Cloud State University Summer 2007 nosh0502@stcloudstate.edu

Slide 2: Global vs.  Classroom  Preparation for the working world of the future  Global Collaboration  Critical thinking skills Social  constructivism

Slide 3: Definition:   “Social constructivism emphasizes the importance of culture and context in understanding what occurs in society and constructing knowledge based on this understanding” (Kim, 2001, ¶9). Examples? 

Slide 4: How can it be  fostered?  Create communication &collaboration in curriculum Technology Tools   Web2.0 and Classroom2.0 ▪ Tools for social networking and collaboration

Slide 5: MOODLE’S CREATOR MARTIN DOUGIAMAS Martin Dougiamas  designed Moodle based on the social constructivist pedagogy.  Built-in social networking and collaboration tools  Most students will already know how to use these tools

Slide 6: MOODLE - Modular  Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment  CMS – Course Management System or VLE – Virtual Learning Environment  Open source – Free!

Slide 7: Open access to  world-wide information with teacher control  Differentiate learning & accommodate multiple learning styles  Create communication & collaboration channels

Slide 8: Social Networking Tools  Calendar & Personal  Content  Resource Tools  Files created in Moodle, Office, PDF and web links Activities Tools   Online and offline assignments  Individual and group  Graded and ungraded

Slide 9: Classroom Website   Place for students and parents to get information  Calendar of Events  Discussion Forums  Questions for Teacher  Homework help ▪ Web links ▪ Forum for tutoring

Slide 10: Blogs – individual  writing projects  Reports  Reflections  Journals Wikis – collaborative  writing projects Study guides  Glossary  Scripts  Collaborative  presentations

Slide 11: Chat Tools   Peer tutoring  Synchronous collaborating Forums  Questions  Parent information area  Student information area  Peer to peer communication  Teacher to teacher collaboration  Question Button 

Slide 12: Podcasting & Wikis  Activities  Collaborative script development  Performance Slideshows  or Video files Embedded  Remote teaching  Reviewing in-class materials  Material for absent students

Slide 13: Use PowerPoint to • construct a WebQuest. Students can access • from anywhere Only need Acrobat • Reader Example: Energy • WebQuest

Slide 14: Online Testing Using  Quiz Option  Practice computer testing Offer practice  exams Immediate  feedback option Paperless testing  Eliminating student  dishonesty

Slide 15: Many types of  questions: Multiple choice  Calculated  True/False  Embedded  answers (Cloze) Matching  Description  Short Answer  Essay 

Slide 16: Promote Collaboration and  Communication  Meet NETS and ISTE Standards  Consistent method for online content and communication  Easy to use and customizable  Readily available documentation and online community support.  Class templates for ease of development  Free!!!

Slide 17: About Moodle • Web Resources •Moodle.org •howtomoodle.com • Print Resources •Using Moodle by Jason Cole •Moodle E-Learning Course Development by William Rice

Slide 18: Kenny, J. (2006, March 10). Platform for change [Special section 4]. Times Educational Supplement, 4676, p.12. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Lexis Nexis database. Kim, B. (2001). Social Constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved August 10, 2007, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/ Krechowiecka, I. (2005, October 4). Open source:Please sir, can we have some more?: Virtual learning environments are getting kids excited about education. The Guardian: London (UK), p.5. Maikish, A. (2006, May). MOODLE: A free, Easy, and constructivist online learning tool. MultiMedia & Internet@Schools, 13(3), 26- 28. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Perkins, M. & Pfaffman, J. (2006). Using a course management system to improve classroom communication. The Science Teacher, 73(7), 33-37. Retrieved August 8, 2007, from Platinum Periodicals database. (Document ID: 1148188121)