This document discusses eLearning and online learning environments. It focuses on the use of Moodle, an online learning platform, at Portmarnock Community School in Dublin. It outlines the key players in Ireland's ICT framework for education and examines how Moodle can be used to enhance teaching and learning by moving away from traditional content delivery methods towards more collaborative and communicative approaches using social software and web 2.0 technologies. Specific examples are provided of how Moodle has been implemented and some of the benefits and challenges of introducing online learning environments in schools.

1. Some thoughts on eLearning and online learning environmentsDonal O’ MahonyPortmarnock Community SchoolDublin City University

2. The DCU vision…Learning as relational, as dialogicUsing ICT in a creative way

3. The key players...The Department of Education and SkillsThe National Council for Curriculum and AssessmentThe National Centre for Technology in EducationThe State Examinations Commission

4. The ICT frameworkThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

5. National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) – support teachers – eLearning roadmap – plan – draw down money!

6. The State Examinations Commission ICT competencies are tested in LC MusicLC Design and Communication GraphicsLC Applied ModulesLC Vocational Programme

7. TraditionallallyICT was placed in Computer Rooms, ECDL, MS Office skills, project based, some programming, maths and science teachers and some “...you are doing something with computers” type teachers

8. Moving onIt is now to be integrated in every classroom, in every teachers practice All about enhancing teaching and learning

9. A presumptionBroadbandData-projector / screen / blindReasonably modern computer / laptopSmall pair of loud-speakersIn every classroom Perhaps a wireless keyboard and mouse – for student useMaybe an eBeam – a scaled down Interactive Whiteboard

10. From Pre-prepared teacher presentationsUsually PowerPointToeBooks from the publishersScoilnet and its content, World-Book, Irish Times digital archive, OS Maps etc

11. ToResources from in-services e.g. Project maths, Cork Multi-Text project, Skoool.ie, Teachnet.ie, iTunes University, YouTube, RTE/TG4 Player, BBC learning, History.com..........

12. Much of this digital-content is “free” and readily available to the teacher The minimum use of the equipmentTake some time Teacher will gain in confidence

13. ....but that’s not where its going!

14. A move away from content.....or away from how we traditionally teach content

15. Using the communicative aspects of ICT for teaching and learningUsing Social Software for teaching and learning Dialogue Collaboration

16. Virtual SpaceSocial geographers are looking at how people are living onlineInteraction with friendsGeneration of online identityConstant feedbackUsing Web 2.0 technologies, social-media, free and easy to use e.g. Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, YouTube, Increasingly on all our phones

17. Virtual spaceWhat does it mean to be Irish in 2007?

18. That I was able to encourage Critical Thinking – able to establish cognitive presence onlineThat Moodle enhanced the teaching and learning of Leaving Certificate History

19. So what is this Moodle?

20. Online technology to assist teaching and learningLearning PlatformVirtual Learning EnvironmentTechnology Mediated Learning Environment

21. Developed by Martin DougiamasMoodle is built on the principles of Constructivism

22. ConstructivismActive involvement in learning and knowledge construction Understanding that there can be many perspectives to knowledgeEmbedding learning in realistic settingsOffering the students a voice in, and ownership of, the learning processPlacing learning within social experienceOffering the opportunity of multiple modes of representationEncouraging self awareness of how students come to know and understand (Cunningham, Duffy and Knuth 1993).

23. Teacher exampleAn English ClassMy History Class

24. Open Source Hugely popular from primary schools to universitiesHuge community of practice / support through its website - moodle.org

25. Technical – the back endYou could host it yourself (“free”) or engage (pay) a Moodle Partner to host it for youEnovation Solutions are the official Moodle Partner in IrelandLets Host, Hosting 365, Blacknight for smaller installations

26. Portmarnock:We gave the back end of Moodle to Enovation SolutionsI received further Administration TrainingEnovation trained ten teachersSmall focussed plan: that these ten teachers carry out one significant piece of work with one of their classes over the coming academic year.

27. PortmarnockNeed a motivated teacher to drive the Moodle project! Not necessarily the ICT coordinatorSlow steady steps – maintain the database of students yourself at firstThink about teaching and learningMoodle Mondays

28. Student accessPrimarily at homeIn a computer roomIn the school libraryViewed in the classroom

30. Fun time!What about copyright?My notes...online!Safety and responsibilityTraining – teachers and studentsPassword privacyData-protectionDo I check Moodle at night? Weekends?Parents expectations!It won’t workMy broadband is brokenThe cat ate my laptopSoftware not up to dateInappropriate content - An expensive dumping ground for contentTechnology avoidersTechnology advocatesEtc etc

31. Other benefits!Can bring your work with you to another schoolPopular in IrelandPrepares a student for collegeMoodle Two – a nicer lookLots of supportReasonably intuitiveGreat for subject planning

32. Introducing Moodle...will motivate some teachers “no going back”...will start a debate on teaching and learning – the debate may be very important...will encourage new ways of imagining content...will help the teacher understand the hyperlinked world...is relevant to the world

33. Other routesOther online environments e.g. Fronter, Drupal and StudywizBlogging – school, class, teacherPodcasting – Podbean to iTunesDigital videoDigital animationA school You-Tube ChannelProgramming - ScratchEncourage digital creativity

34. Moodle Users Group – SecondaryPortmarnock Community SchoolThursday 10th March at 5PM for one hour

35. www.elearningisland.iedomaho@gmail.com