MOODLE

MOODLE

Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment

A software package for producing internet based courses and websites.

It is a course management system/ learning management system CMS/LMS.

A free source e-learning software platform also known as virtual learning environment VLE.

Moodle originally developed by Martin Dougiamas aims in creating online courses.

Anyone who uses Moodle is a moodler.

A virtual learning environment that caters insight and creativity.

Moodle- Built for learning globally

·         Easy to use.

·         Designed to support both teaching and learning.

·         Free with no licensing fees- open source software.

·         Always up to date.

·         Proven and trusted worldwide.

·         Highly flexible and customizable.

·         All in one learning platform.

·         Scalable to any size ( primary to higher levels, govt, business etc ).

·          Use anytime anywhere on any device.

·         Extensive resources available by a large global community.

Features of Moodle

Assignment submission : Enables teachers to grade and comment on uploaded files and assignments created.

Chat : Allow participants to have a real time synchronous discussion with chat box.

Choice (Polls) : A teacher ask a question and specifies a choice of multiple responses.

SCORM players : A learning management system that enables interoperability, accessibility and re-usability of web based learning content.

Databases : Enables participants to create , maintain and search a bank of record entries.

Glossary : Enables participants to create and maintain a list of definitions like a dictionary/ thesaurus.

Lesson : For delivering content in flexible ways.

Quiz programme : Allow teachers to design and set quiz test which may be automatically marked and feedbacks.

Survey :  Gathering data from moodlers, thus help teachers to learn about their class and reflect on their own teaching.

Wiki : A collection of web pages that anyone can add to or edit info.

Peer assess with workshop and evaluation.

Online news and announcement.

Files download.

Philosophy

The design and development of Moodle is guided by Social Constructionist Pedagogy.

The philosophy can be explain in terms of four related concepts.

                         i.    Constructivism

                         ii.  Constructionism

                         iii. Social constructivism

                         iv. Connected & separate behavior

Constructivism :

•    Learners construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment.

• Knowledge is strengthened if you can use it successfully in your wider environment

Constructionism :

• Learning is particularly effective when constructing something for others to experience. 

• Transfer of learning into new situation and construction of innovative idea for others to experience.

Social constructivism :

• Practicing the idea of constructivism in a social setting.

•  Group construction of knowledge from one another by collaborative learning.

Connected and separate behaviour :

• This idea act as a healthy stimulant for learning by active participation (collaborative), promoting deeper reflection and re-examination of existing beliefs.

• Separate behavior is when someone tries to remain ‘objective’ and ‘factual’ and tends to defend their own ideas using logic to find hole in their opponents ideas. 
•   Connected behavior is a more empathaticic approach that accepts subjectivity, trying to listen and ask questions in an effort to understand the other point of view.

• Constructed behavior is when a person is sensitive to both these approaches and is able to choose either of them as appropriate to the current situation.

Pedagogy

The art of teaching is termed as pedagogy, generally refers to the strategies of instruction (style), derived from the greek word ‘Pais Paidos’ literally means to lead the child.

                          The heart of the moodle is the courses that contain activities and resources. A variety of activities available (as mentioned in the features) and each can be customized quite a lot.

                          The main advantage of the activity based model comes in combining the activities into sequences and groups, helps to guide participants through learning path. Thus each activity can build on the outcome of previous ones.

                           A variety of tools make easier to build communities of learners, including blogs, messaging, participant list etc.

Social Constructionism

       Ø  All of us are potential teachers as well as learners : in a true collaborative environment we are both.

                             Giving opportunities to allow other participants in our learning situation to share their ideas with us and to remind us to listen carefully and ask good questions that elicit more.

       Ø  Learn more by the act of creating or expressing something for others to see

             Learning by doing.

             Opportunities are provided for learners for expressing and presenting posts, projects,assignments etc for others to see. By this act a lot of self-checking and reflection takes place that enriches learning.

             Learning by observing the activities of our peers.

       Ø  By understanding the context of others we can teach in a more transformational way.

                 A learning environment should be flexible and adaptable so that it can quickly respond to the needs of the participants within it.

As a learning facilitator we should utilize the learning environment for enriching our knowledge together with participants in a collaborative manner, giving them tailored opportunities to share ideas, ask questions and express their views.

Moodle Community Hubs :

By community search within a specific course, the learners as well as teachers get together into a hub where their peers are discussing best practice of the specified subject, sharing and browsing repositories of course materials and designs.

             This creation of networking between moodle creates a moodle community hub. The peer to peer nature of the learning results fruitfully.

To acquaint with Moodle, visit 
https://moodle.org/