Moodle Reflection Paper
By Melissa Hughes
Summer SDSU – EDTEC 700 Learning Management Systems
1. Identify the different administrative functions available in Moodle
Moodle offered several functions from an administrative perspective. Our group was able to upload several versions of files easily. I was happy to know that our test group was able to access our content by using the “guest” feature in Moodle. Since our project was a hypothetical one assigning users to be potential trainees for a YMCA camping safety course, we were pleased to know that with the guest pass, users could participate in the Moodle. Our project aimed to be an open hub for trainees to access material. However, as an administrator, I like the idea of begin able to provide registration identifications in order to track a trainee’s progress and see that he/she has completed tasks connected to the assessments. I appreciated other administrative features such as online survey, bulletin board or discussion forums, and the ability to track student participation.
2. Identify the course creation functionality within Moodle
Our Moodle was created to teach three keys areas of camping safety to YMCA counselors or trainers-in-training. The idea that the YMCA organization is nationwide prompted our group to create modules which would be accessible to anyone training, anywhere. The goals and objectives of our modules were also aimed at addressing safety tips which were universal, rather than excluded regions. It took both PDF and Doc files, weblinks, and graphics easily. Although we did not integrate an email feature in our Moodle, we knew that this could feature could be included if we desired.
3. Identify the editing functionality within Moodle
I personally do not know much about the technical aspects or differences of html editors. So from a novice’s perspective, I found the ease of text editing in Moodle to be a great asset. It was easy to create text and organize it into headings as often as needed. Although the layout of the editor seemed a bit clunky in some areas (re-organizing headings of text with the up & down arrows wasn’t very simple to me), I was able to get used to it.
4. Describe the pros and cons of these different functions
Pros: The layouts are simple enough, no frills, and easy on the eye. Editor and uploading features are self-explanatory for even a novice like myself. Best of all, being a free open-source application, I would invest the time to learn it in more detail. Password protected.
Cons: Although the text editor feature was easy to understand, I know there were other features I either neglected to learn or overlooked, which would have been helpful. These would include embedding video rather than linking or creating audio files. Not too many choices for formatting either.
5. Write a brief description about your course – make sure to include your course name
Our course name for 700-3 was “Learning About Camping Safety”. In this brief 3-week course for YMCA trainees, the users would be asked to go through three self-guided learning modules on specific camping safety issues. These issues include: fire safety, potable water safety, and environmental safety. Students would be given a series of video or web links to review independently. They would then need to response and check for understanding of these topics by either completing a quiz, journal a response, or create a presentation of some kind.
6. Based on the High Quality Online Course Rubric your “live” participants filled out about your Moodle course, describe:
The participants who “trained” through our lesson were generally very pleased with the content of the Moodle project. Many of them had never used Moodle before, so becoming familiar with the layout was an obstacle for some. Another user said the she would have felt the “home” page could be more inviting with additional photos or visuals. The majority of the testers felt the organization, design, resources and assessment choices were exemplary. The areas it felt short in were more innovative teaching methods with the technology.
7. The success of the course
I think the success of the course would depend entirely on how our YMCA trainees might respond in “real-life” to issues of camping safety. Theoretically, administration could not only measure it’s success through both formative and summative assessments from the modules, but assessing the understanding of campers, assuming that imparting this knowledge was part of the YMCA camp goals and objectives.
Organizationally, I feel that I contributed to the potential success of the project by initially setting up Google Docs for planning and brainstorming, and spearheaded work on the syllabus. Like my colleagues, Derek Suzuki and Jodi Kohler, I contributed my part of resources and links in order to align our Moodle project and look and feel cohesive.
8. The aspects of your course you would change and why
I am happy with the organization and content of the course. I think using Moodle gave our team a way to pool vital information into a central location for training purposes. I would have liked to spend more time learning about more advanced features and seeing how they might work well. I would have also liked to find a way to include a Second Life link without the user having to necessarily join Second Life. On the module I produced, it required the user to do a simulation involving camping safety in his environment. I probably should have made a note on the module that users would need to sign up for this application, and use screen shot as mock indicators or what the user might see in Second Life.
From a teamwork perspective, I would have certainly increased by time and workload to fairly balance out the roles of the group. Since I had a death in the family at the beginning of the EDTEC course, I felt behind in tasks from the group, and often could collaborate with limited time or energy on hand. Given more time, other than a 5-week course, I feel I could really dive in-depth with the Moodle application, and see how it might benefit my K-6 classroom environment for the future.
9. The aspects of your course you would keep the same and why
Certainly the use of video and quizzes were very important to training individuals about what to do in particular camping situations. Since all three topics involve detailed step-by-step instruction, the videos allowed great modeling to make a point, rather than just a list of instructions.
10. What aspects of the model for designing VDILS did you use within your course? How did you incorporate these concepts into your course?
Our group focused heavily in personal performance and expressing one’s learning as the modules progressed. We provided several opportunities for the trainees to evaluate his experience in the Moodle through discussion forums (for clarification and social networking), email, and the assignments. The learner was also required to show personal growth in understanding by creating deliverables to indicate such. These performance assessments track the progress made and give a holistic sense of how the learner interpreted the data, rather than relying on just one objective quiz.
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