home

= = = From Classroom to Online...using Moodle =


 * PLEASE NOTE: This wiki was created by Marlene Manto for a specific purpose. The site is NOT being maintained so please be aware that information and/or links may be out of date. **

[[image:http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4976494944_29f8defb4a_m.jpg width="245" height="164" align="left"]]Introduction
Is your comfort zone is in a more //traditional// teaching and training environment? Do you feel that you are right at the starting blocks when it comes to e-learning and Learning Management Systems (LMS's)?

The following information supports a workshop for //beginners// to e-learning and Learning Management Systems (LMSs). It is important to know that using an LMS for teaching online is only //one// e-learning methodology, however it is one that is commonly used by training organisations, businesses, TAFEs, schools and universities. Also, there are many different 'brands' of LMS such as WebCT, Blackboard, Janison, Moodle etc.... however the focus of this workshop will be on Moodle because it is the one in common use locally, is open source (free to download), and is relatively easy for a teacher/trainer to learn how to use.

Moving traditional teaching/training into an online environment[[image:http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1164/1477899923_5fb736f33c_m.jpg width="216" height="216" align="right"]]
Consider the following questions from a traditional perspective... ...then look at some of the strategies listed in the Designing E-learning Gallery of Strategies to discuss how these objectives could be transferred into an online environment.
 * How is new information usually presented to students?
 * How are students encouraged to explore?
 * How do you provide individual support?
 * What does it take to motivate students?
 * How do you provide challenge?
 * How do you enrich the core learning?
 * How do you assess progress?

What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? What is Moodle?

 * A **learning management system** (commonly abbreviated as LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content. (Wikipedia explanation)
 * **Moodle** (abbreviation for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a free and open-source e-learning software platform....Moodle was developed by Martin Dougiamas to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content. (Wikipedia explanation)

Becoming Familiar with Moodle
Some examples of Moodle courses to check out...can you recognise the Moodle 'structure' with all of them? //(Note that you can't get 'into' all of these as some are live courses with real students. The ones marked ** allow some access)//
 * **Wallace Web Design Moodle Course
 * **UK Open Learning online courses - here is a **course on diabetes
 * L.J Hooker Training Centre
 * TAFESA North Business Services Induction
 * **Digital Photography
 * APYTAFE Moodle
 * **Occupational Health & Safety (SAPOT)
 * Work Green Port Adelaide Enfield Council

// Where do I go? //
The workshop will be using the E-Skills Moodle Sandpit, and you will be provided with log-in/password details during the session. Later, you are able to get your own Moodle classroom from:
 * TAFESA Staff - Link to the TAFESA Moodle site where staff can apply for a free Moodle classroom
 * Other SA Training Organisations - Link to the e-Skills Moodle site where anybody involved in VET in South Australia can apply for a free Moodle classroom

// Basic Controls in Moodle //
this is in the top, right hand side of the window || || Click on them to access information about the item. || || > ||  || This control is next to the 'Turn Editing On' button in the top left of the window. When finished, click again to resume your normal role. || || These can be moved so that they appear on the left or right of the screen. || ||
 * Once you are logged in, to edit the course you must turn on the editing -
 * There is 'contextual help' right through Moodle. You will see these small yellow circles everywhere.
 * This is the edit tool. Wherever you see it in Moodle, it will allow you to change whatever it is next to. || [[image:e-skillsmoodleintro/ClickEdit.gif align="center"]] ||
 * You will see these next to all the resources, and they will allow you to (from left):
 * 1) Indent your resource (like a paragraph indent)
 * 2) Move your resource to another place on the screen
 * 3) Edit your resource
 * 4) Delete your resource
 * 5) Hide your resource from students - click again to show it again
 * 6) Groups (this is an advanced feature)
 * Switch your role to see how the screen looks from a different perspective i.e. how it looks to the student.
 * Add a block (an element) such as a calendar, RSS feeds, show users on the site etc.

Getting Started
__**ADDING TEXT**__ Text is added to an online course in the form of headings, welcome messages, instructions to students and to provide general information. It will often need to replace what you might say to students in a classroom and therefore needs to be clear and succinct. The less text in an online course, the better! //** Activity: **//
 * 1) **Give your 'course' a name then add a simple welcome message underneath.**
 * 2) **Go back to the name, select it, then make it a heading2 and change the colour.**

__**ADDING IMAGES**__ Images can make a big difference to the 'look' of your course. Take a look at the difference between Europe and the Law...and Digital Photography The use of images can make your course look interesting and inviting, and can even be used //instead// of text (eg. an image can be turned into a link). //** Activity: **//
 * 1) **Add an image to your 'course' (from the Moodle files - Images)**

__**ADDING A WEB LINK**__ You may want to add web links to your online course, for example a link to an industry website or other websites which may be useful resources for students. //** Activity: **//
 * 1) **Add a web link to your course**[[image:ScreenHunter_01_Mar._29_18.17.jpg align="right"]]

__**ADDING A RESOURCE (Word Documents, PDFs etc)**__ A resource is something that you most likely use in your classroom, and you may already have text-based resources which you want to add to your Moodle course (eg. Word Documents and PDFs). You can simply upload them as a separate file in the same way that you previously linked to a website. //** Activity: **//
 * 1) **Add a Word document to your 'course' (from Moodle files - Word Docs)**

__**ADDING A RESOURCE (Web Page)**__ Another alternative is to create a brand new resource within Moodle (a web page is best for this) and transfer the written information.The most important thing to remember is that you should not simply copy/paste from Word as it adds extra 'coding' and spoils the formatting ('look') of your resource. To overcome this, copy the text into WordPad/NotePad first.
 * Activity: **
 * 1) **Create a new resource (web page) and give it a name**
 * 2) **Copy and paste text from an existing document into the web page.**
 * 3) **Practice re-formatting some of it...just for practice.**

__**ADDING AN ACTIVITY**__ The activities in Moodle are the 'doing' tools...the types of tools that will replace (or add to) your classroom discussions, student support, student collaboration exercises and general communication. The most commonly used activity tools used are forums, but some trainers also use chats and wikis. //** Activity: **//
 * 1) **Add a forum to your 'course'**
 * 2) **Give it a name and provide instructions for your 'students' (what to post in the forum)**

__**KEEPING TRACK!**__ One of the advantages that Learning Management Systems have over ordinary websites, is that it is possible to 'track' student activity inside them. To check out what they are doing, how long they are logged in, postings in discussions etc. This is good for assessment purposes but it is also helpful to know which students need a little more support.:-)
 * // Activity: //**
 * 1) **Click on 'Reports' under Administration (left hand side)**
 * 2) **Generate a report on another of your fellow 'students'. :-)**

Extra Support, Links and Tutorials

 * A collection of 2 Minute Moodles – a list of videos which simplify and show how to use a range of Moodle features.
 * Moodle Tool Guide for Teachers - a handy resource
 * Best ways of using Moodle - a Powerpoint presentation
 * [|Moodle.org] - documentation, downloads and a very helpful user community
 * Unmoodling Your Moodle a presentation on laying out your Moodle
 * Ideas to Defeat the Scroll of Death a forum discussion about preventing your Moodle looking like a long list of resources & links
 * 47 Interesting Ways to Use Moodle to Support Learning a presentation
 * 10 Things you can do with a Moodle webpage a blog posting with some suggestions

Looking for more?
Once you are well underway with Moodle, the resource Teaching with Moodle may be useful.

Logo created with Cooltext CC licensed Flickr photo of racetrack by tableatny CC licensed Flickr photo of teacher by ben110
 * Acknowledgements**