This document discusses Moodle, an open-source learning management system. It provides an overview of Moodle, including that it is a web-based virtual classroom to help educators provide quality learning experiences using social constructivist pedagogy. The document also outlines some advantages and applications of Moodle, as well as good practices for its classroom use.

1. Moodle
By Berhanu Abebe

2. Making Moodle Work for You
Strategies for Classroom Use –
An Open Source Learning Management
System
Presented by:
Dr. Dan McDougall
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3. Ideal Learning Environment
Portfolios
Traditional Learning Virtual Learning
Component Component
(F2F) (VLE)
Products

4. Introduction to Moodle
• Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic
Learning Environment
• Moodle is a software package for
producing Internet-based courses and web
sites
• Social Constructivist Pedagogy

5. About Moodle
• Moodle is a web-based virtual classroom
designed to help educators provide quality
learning experiences
• Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning
Environment
• Moodle is a web-based software package designed
to help educators create quality online courses1
• Social Constructivist Pedagogy2
– Constructivism
– Constructionism
– Social Constructivism
• Moodle. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moodle on June 28, 2006.
• About Moodle: Philosophy. Retrieved from http://docs.moodle.org/en/Philosophy on June 28, 2006.

6. Moodle Advantages
• Access (24/7)
• Extended Education Time
• Resources at your fingertips
• Activities
• Collaboration
• FREE!!!!!!!

7. Pedagogical
Considerations
• Advantages • Limitations
– 24/7 Access – Not all Students
– Expanded have Internet Access
Collaborative – Student artifacts are
Opportunities locked up in Moodle
– Variety of Online where outside users
Activities available cannot view them

8. Applications of Moodle
• Virtual Classroom
• Blended Learning/Hybrid
• Freestyle Course – Self Motivated Learning
• Forum-based Discussion Course
• Single Activity Focused Courses
(portfolios, semester projects, etc).

9. Applications of Moodle
“Online learning is really about how
traditional schools use online services to
expand educational options and
opportunities for students.” – John Bailey,
former director of Office of Educational
Technology, Dept. of Ed.
Michigan is the first state to require online
learning for graduation

10. Moodle, Learning, & NCLB
“Your school district should have an online
learning strategy to help enhance the
educational options for your students and
for your district to meet the goals of No
Child Left Behind (NCLB)” – John Bailey,
former director of Office of Educational
Technology, Dept. of Ed.

11. Usage
• Elementary
• Secondary
• University
• Also, business training
• Personal sites/resources

12. Moodle - Virtual Swiss Army
Knife
• Assignment • Lesson
• Blog • Quiz
• Chat • Resource
• Choice (Poll) • SCORM
• Database • Survey
• Forum • Wiki
• Glossary • Workshop

13. Typical Moodle
Classroom

14. General Good
Practices
• Reasoning
– What are the advantages to using the VLE in this
case?
– Can I accomplish this activity more efficiently
using F2F?
• Preparation/Training
– What tasks are the students to complete?
– Do my students have the skills to accomplish the
required tasks?
• Accountability
• Grouping

15. VLE Good
Practices
• Expectations
• Organization
– K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple for Students)
• Integration

16. Add-on
Modules
• Certificates • Questionnaire
• iPodcast • Netpublish
• Choice Block • Presentation
• Dfwiki • Portfolio
• Conditional Activities • Quickmail
• Import PPT • InternalMail
• Feedback

17. Internet
Access
• No “One fits all solution”
• Suggestions
– Learn about your students
– Enlist parental support
– Identify additional access opportunities
– Consider/Plan alternative options

18. Discussion
Forums
• Suggestions
– Use robust, open-ended questions
– Provide response expectations
• Include sample responses (at least initially)
– Participate, don’t Dominate!
– Groups

19. Ways to
Moodle
• Online Courses
• Blended Learning/Hybrid (Virtual Classroom)
• Freestyle Course – Self Motivated Learning
• Forum-based Discussion Course
• Single Activity Focused Courses (portfolios,
semester projects, etc)
• Shared Curriculum Activities

21. For More Information:
• Moodle.org
• Docs.moodle.org
• Moodle.tcaps.net
• Bizedquest.web.officelive.com
• E-mail: bizedquest@gmail.com
• Presented by: Dr. Dan A. McDougall, D.D.,
M.O., Ph.D., M.S., M.A., B.S., Sec.Cert.,
Voc. Cert., Online Cert.