8. Moodle Feedback. Tutor: "Moodle is the best teaching and learning tool ever it means I can have lesson plans, schemes of work and all the unit’s quizzes, assignments, discussions and everything in one place, I can't thank you enough for teaching me how to access, use and make the best of this valuable tool". Student: "I find Moodle a valuable tool. Not just one aspect of it though. To be able to have so much information in one place makes the units we have to complete much easier. It also gives us links to other sites for our research and ones we might not have come across otherwise".
Editor's Notes
Other “easy to do/big impact” steps include: o Less “telling” by teachers (and allowing kids to research the answers to guiding questions on their own); o Always connecting what is taught with real-world outcomes; o Helping students distinguish the unchanging “verbs” (skills) of education from the rapidly changing “nouns” (tools); o Treating students as learning partners; o Employing students‟ own tools (particularly video and cellphones) for learning; o Using more peer-to-peer teaching; o Offering students far more choices, rather than mandating what all must read or do; o Allowing students to be the primary users (and maintainers) of classroom technology; o Sharing of successes via short videos posted on sites such as YouTube or TeacherTube; and o Regularly connecting students with the world via free, secure tools such as Skype and ePal
Providing more opportunity for students to learn through the provision of flexible and personalised learning solutions. Being able to work with peers, curriculum staff and SMEs inside and outside of the school keeps them focused and engaged with the tasks The relative anonymity of online communications allows the quieter, marginalised students, to have a voice. Effective online collaboration and communication are vital skills for their futures All of this can take place in a secure and managed environment.
Using communications tools can provide more flexibility an opportunities for staff also, which can allow them to develop stronger links with the local community – Aylesbury Football club coaches, swimming coaches facilitate discussions or follow up on F2F sessions. They also provide a vehicle for closer collaboration with their own peers on the subjects they teach. And this can be across partner organisations and providors. Expanded Toolbox – more options and opportunities to support learners in personal and creative ways; for instance – Creative writing activity exported to a script for your drama department
Create a climate for learning through personalised learning which will enable students to achieve their maximum academic potential Build stronger relationships with local industry, partners and partner colleges, and parents Give parents the option of a Moodle account which is tied to their child’s Features of your Student Planner could be taken up by the VLE, especially if you integrate your MIS system.