This is a recording of the online presentation titled 'COVID-busters: 7 tools for remote learning with Moodle' by Chad Outten from My Learning Space at Moodle Moot Global 2020 #MootGlobal20.
Abstract ///
In 2020, our world was changed by the coronavirus pandemic code-named COVID-19. Situations and events have emerged which, until now, were only imaginable in a Hollywood script.
The impact of COVID is without precedent in our modern times. Nothing and nobody has been spared. Every country, economy, business, household and individual - has been affected in some way.
And then, there's education. University campuses and schools have closed their doors. Students are attending lectures and classes, virtually. And office workers have been told to work (and learn) remotely, from home.
Many believe COVID represents a challenge for education. This is true. However, I also see an opportunity for a paradigm shift which empowers us to re-think the way we learn.
This presentation offers 7 tools to facilitate remote learning with Moodle.
In a time of great crisis - we need to be courageous. As educators - we can be the brave heroes. We are essential workers - in the front line.
50. References
United Nations Development Programme. COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/coronavirus.html
John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, (2020). World map.
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
DeVaney, Shimshon, Rascoff and Maggioncalda (2020). Higher Ed Needs a Long-Term
Plan for Virtual Learning. Harvard Business Review, 5 May 2020.
https://hbr.org/2020/05/higher-ed-needs-a-long-term-plan-for-virtual-learning
Robinson, K (2010). Changing education paradigms.
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms
Salt, B (2020). Coronavirus: Home sweet office. Weekend Australian Magazine, 9 May
2020
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/coronavirus-home-
sweet-office/news-story/28fae9b179a2eebc70048c656fa5d433
United Nations. Sustainable Development Goals.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
Moodle. About us. https://moodle.com/about
My Learning Space (2020). COVID-19 and tips for successful business continuity.
https://www.mylearningspace.com.au/news/covid-19-and-tips-for-successful-business-
continuity
https://h5p.org
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/H5P
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Forum
DannyBoy7783 (2008). Roman Forum image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_forum_cropped.jpg
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/Forum_activity
https://bigbluebutton.org
https://zoom.us
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/Workshop_quick_guide
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/Badges
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/Learning_analytics_quick_guide
https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/Moodle_app
Images sourced under Creative Commons license from: https://unsplash.com
Editor's Notes
The year is 2020, & our world has been changed by the coronavirus pandemic code-named COVID-19
Situations & events have emerged which, until now, were only imaginable in a Hollywood script
According to UN: “COVID-19 is the defining global health crisis of our time & the greatest challenge we’ve faced since WWII”
Acknowledge, COVID is a challenging time for every body. It’s a shared experience
The impact of COVID is without precedent in our life times
Nothing & nobody has been spared. Every country, economy, business, household & individual - has been disrupted in some way
In a matter of months, it is like a tsunami rolled in - & washed away many lives & livelihoods
And then, there’s the MASSIVE impact on education
According to Harvard Business Review, globally speaking, > 1.6B students have been impacted, representing 91% of all students in the world
University campuses & schools have closed their doors. Students are attending lectures & classes, virtually
And office workers have been told to work (and learn) remotely, from home
This image depicts a traditional classroom in 1850s
It was a by-product of the industrial revolution
Do you think this kind of classroom - still exists today ? In many cases, yes !
The school is a physical environment
Students are taught in large batches
Classroom organised in lines & rows
Curricula is standardised
This old school model is somewhat akin to – mass production line in factory
And now, with the arrival of COVID – and social distancing measures – the old school model – has been disrupted
Many believe COVID represents a major challenge for education. This is true.
However, I also see an opportunity for a paradigm shift - which empowers us to re-think the way we learn and work
It’s taken a global pandemic - to get us thinking differently about education
If it’s ok with you, I’d like to talk about some positives
COVID has improved our sense of community, collaboration and cooperation
Poll or Chat
Think about the benefits of COVID ?
-WFH
-remote learning
-greater flexibility
-less commuting
-less emissions
-less stress
-greater work/study/life balance
Segueway…
So, with all this disruption to the traditional education system,
How do we – as educators – continue to deliver quality education ?
I’d like to bring your attention to UN SDG #4 = Quality Education
On same token, Moodle mission: empower educators to improve our world
So, as Moodle educators –
what can we learn from COVID - that will enable us to continue delivering quality education ?
I believe there are 7 key pillars which form the foundation of quality education, whether it be face-to-face, blended or online. This is my model.
Resources
Communication
Collaboration
Assessment
Accreditation
Reporting
Accessibility
In line with the pillars of education, I’ve hand-picked 7 tools to facilitate remote learning with Moodle – 1 tool per pillar
Poll or Chat
Which of the following tools – are you most using ?
H5P
Forum
Web conferencing
Workshop
Badges
Learning analytics
App
Tool / H5P
Tool / H5P
An open-source content creation tool
Easy to use
Interactive
Engaging
People some times ask me, if they were to learn one content type – which provides best ROI ? – I recommend interactive video
Tool / Forum
For centuries, – the Forum was the centre of daily life in Ancient Rome
The site of processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials, commercial affairs & gladiatorial matches
Likewise, in modern times, in Moodle, the forum is an essential place - for remote learners to:
Ask questions, get answers, share ideas & help others
I don’t know if you have ever noticed this?...every new Moodle course automatically gets one activity – it’s a forum
Tool / Web conferencing
This is about human connection. Even more important in these times - of isolation
Share: voice, video, screen, chat, files, polls, recording etc.
Poll or Chat
Which web conferencing tool do you mostly use ?
BBB
Teams
Zoom
Other
There are plugins for Moodle
BBB /
Open-source
Browser not app
Requires a web server
Teams /
App
Requires subscription
Integration with M365 and Moodle
Skooler
Zoom /
App
Integration with Moodle
Requires (Business Plan) subscription
Tool / Workshop
Workshop is a peer assessment activity which fosters a sense of cooperation & interdependence
Learners submit their work, then receive submissions from their peers – which they assess according to marking guide or rubric.
5 phases:
Setup
Submission
Assessment
Grading evaluation
Close
Tool / Badges
How do you recognise & reward learner achievement?
Badges are an easy way to incentivize learners
When learners are motivated – they feel a stronger sense of purpose toward achieving a goal
eg. completing a Moodle course or activity
Tool / Learning analytics
LA help educators make informed decisions about learning & learners
With remote learning - this is especially important for educators - because we need to know whether (or not) our learners are engaged
Identifying learners at risk of failure - enables educators to intervene via DM– in a timely manner
Tool / App
I don’t know if you are aware? 80% of global internet use – is mobile!
And with the recent spike in remote learning, it can be predicted – MANY more learners will be accessing Moodle via mobile & tablet than desktop or laptop
The app gives learners freedom & flexibility to access learning anywhere at anytime, without being bound to a classroom or office
In closing, COVID represents a major crisis for all of us. It’s a shared experience.
As educators, we are ESSENTIAL WORKERS - in the front line – it is our duty to continue delivering quality education
The OLD school model has been disrupted
Are YOU willing to be COURAGEOUS ? [Pause]
Then, embrace a NEW model of education - with innovative tools such as Moodle
And YOU - will be the HERO