Advice on starting out with Moodle, designing courses

1. Phil Hardcastle Ben Williams phil.hardcastle@rsc-em.ac.uk ben.williams@rsc-em.ac.uk In brief – Starting Moodle May 31, 2011| slide 1

2. Using Elluminate

3. Starting Moodle Why set up a Moodle course at all? What makes a good course? How should courses be structured? What elements should be included in your first course? How to evaluate the usefulness of your course. May 31, 2011| slide 3

4. Who’s here? May 31, 2011| slide 4 Work Based Learning Adult / Community Learning FE College Specialist College 6th Form College

5. What are your drivers? May 31, 2011| slide 5 Required part of a college course Learners need support Insufficient class time Learners like it Improve results Helps to guide learning

6. Why use Moodle? To give learners support outside the classroom Access at any time, from anywhere Resources are always available: an online reading is never 'out on loan' Improved quality of the student learning experience through the integration of ICT with class teaching A one-stop-shop for all course-related documents, communication and activities Provides information on student activity and performance May 31, 2011| slide 6

7. What does it look like? Sample course here: http://demo.moodle.net/course/view.php?id=621 A variety of courses at this site: http://demo.moodle.net Practical skills also can be supported by a moodle course – see the carpentry course showcased on Excellence Gateway http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=271167&c=casestudies May 31, 2011| slide 7

8. What can you do? See Moodle features demo http://demo.moodle.net/course/view.php?id=5 May 31, 2011| slide 8

9. What makes a good course? ....depends what you’re trying to do. But a basic course should contain: May 31, 2011| slide 9

11. A glossary of terms, if appropriate

12. A course timetable (a list or calendar)

13. Links to specific resources/websites for research

14. A link to library services and search

15. Clearly label all resources indicating what they relate to

17. Avoid resource overload

18. Change structure to avoid excessive scrolling up and down the page

19. Put the most recent stuff at the top of the page

20. Include relevant images

21. Check links regularly (dead links annoy)

23. Encourage use – make the course a focal point for resources.

24. Refer to it regularly.

26. Stages in development May 31, 2011| slide 14 Online learning – a spectrum of use 1 2 3 A VLE is used to make a variety of documents available as a reference point for the learner when he/she is outside the classroom. Used to deliver learning activities and to encourage co-operation between students on projects. Assignments may be submitted and marked on-line and there will be assessment exercises. A fully online course requires the tutor to work online in the same way as he/she would have done face to face. The tutor will have to use digital means to promote engagement and a sense of community.

28. MoodleUser Group,

29. MoodleUKmailing list,

30. VLE training

31. Moodle courses at http://moodle.rsc-em.ac.uk (no username or pwd needed to enter)