Virtual Learning Spaces: Moodle
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 06.10.13
Moodle is a learning management system (LMS) popularly used in universities, community colleges, and K-12 schools around the world to manage virtual courses. The name Moodle is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment.
Moodle is also a verb that describes the process of “lazily meandering through something, doing things as it occurs to you to do them, an enjoyable tinkering that often leads to insight and creativity.” This definition applies to both the way Moodle was developed and the way a student or teacher might approach studying or teaching an online course. See the Moodle website to learn more.
Depth and Variety
Moodle is a popular LMS because of the depth and variety of activities and materials that can be set up in a course. Activities can include discussion forums, database construction areas, chats, games, and surveys. Along with class handouts, teachers can set up slideshows, movies, electronic glossaries, and books. These activities and materials can be organized into units by themes or chronologically.
Educators have many assessment options with Moodle. Choices include true/false, multiple choice, fill-in, short answer, and extended response. Assessment results can be aggregated or disaggregated depending on a teacher’s interests. Students can check their progress in a course through Moodle’s gradebook. Teachers have class management tools that enable them to group students and monitor what’s happening in their virtual classrooms.
Because Moodle is open source software, there are a variety of plug-ins that can added to extend its capabilities. Moodle course creations can be shared locally, or with other teachers around the world.
Moodle in Sonoma County
SCOE hosts web servers for Moodle, which can be used for K-12 courses and educator professional development. Between 2011 and 2013, there have been over 20 Moodle courses offered to learners in Sonoma County. Some of the K-12 courses include Grade 10 Accelerated English, Introduction to Poetry, Algebra 1, and Introduction to Digital Media. Professional development courses have included Behavior Management Certification, Technology Uses in Education, AB 430 Administrative Training, and Project LEAD.
Click on the graphic below for a series of screen shots that illustrate the courses, tools, and ways this system is supporting blended learning in Sonoma County.
Interested in More Information?
Contact Rick Phelan at rphelan@scoe.org if you’re a Sonoma County educator interested in getting Moodle going at your school.
Blog: Technology for Learners
