Learning Moodle in Moodle

Gillian McCalden & Jacqui HallBlue Box Learning

The challenge

If you’ve never seen Moodle before how do you know when to use a forum, a label, a web page, a glossary, a quiz? How do you know what will work for your learners and what won’t?

More important than the box ticking

• The experience of being a participant in an online course

• Thinking about course design for real

• Facilitation and other forms of support for online learners

• The pedagogic theory

The mechanics

3 course spaces to work in

Peer support

Facilitation

Reflection

Clear sign posting

Main Course

Area

Own Course Space

Example Course Space

Sharing course spaces

Reflective Journal

Looking at the structure

Kolb’s cycle of experiential learning

Concrete Experience

Reflective Observation

Abstract Conceptualis

ation

Active Experimentat

ion

Main Course AreaContent and direction

ActivitiesInteraction

• Build a sense of community

• Provide facilitator support

• Model good practice in both course design and

facilitation• Active learning

Course front page showing first unit

Main Course

Area

Own Course Space

Example Course Space

Sharing course spaces

Reflective Journal

Example Course SpaceExample content, activities &

resources in context

• See what activities and resources look like before you start to

create them• Learn by doing

• Work with other course participants

History of London Course

Main Course

Area

Own Course Space

Example Course Space

Sharing course spaces

Reflective Journal

Own Course SpaceUsing resourcesUsing activities

Adding design elements

• Understanding when to use resources/activities• Making the content

engaging• What works for your

subject/topic• What will work for your

learners

Main Course

Area

Own Course Space

Example Course Space

Sharing course spaces

Reflective Journal

Sharing course spacesPeer supportSharing ideas

• Experiential learning• What works as a

designer• What works as a

participant

Main Course

Area

Own Course Space

Example Course Space

Sharing course spaces

Reflective Journal

Reflective JournalReflection on process

One-to-one participant/tutor space

• Regular input• Records change

• Helps build confidence• Recognition of process

In conclusion

Learning in Moodle rather than about Moodle allows course creators to• Learn by doing• Experience being an online learner• Develop a relevant course in a safe place• Learn how to give and receive peer support• Experience exemplary facilitation