Useful Moodle Features in VLE
Understanding the basic features a virtual learning environment (VLE) should have, Moodle has a series of characteristics that definitely help learners achieve learning goals. What I like particularly about Moodle as a VLE are its functions for information storage, class forums, quiz-like activities, and reflective blogs for participants.
From the point of view of a online course designer, Moodle provides a unique way of storing information. Moodle is an LMS (Learning Management System) that can help curricular developers, course tutors, and students to plan learning as part of PLNs. From a systematic point of view, Moodle allows course participants to work on course tasks and achieve learning objectives at the end of each unit. Consequently, it allows the tutor and course designer to visualize student learning outcomes.
The interaction among course participants is imperative and Moodle as a VLE fosters it. One of the most fruitful experiences of working on an online course is the exchange of ideas, experiences, and links. Just imagine that something like this were absent from a VLE. I must say that we would be defeating the purpose of the “real” virtual learning environment: the exchange among participants to foster critical thinking.
A Moodle go-of-it is its potential to host interactive quiz-like activities. Reading an online text sounds OK, but how about spicing it up with a bit of interactivity? Quiz-like activities are ways to have course participants move towards analysis of the material being presented to them, synthesis of what is being studied in different course units, and self-assess themselves in terms of how much it is being understood by the individual. This is a nice way to reward or challenge students in a virtual course.
Finally, reflective blogs are like the cherries on the icing on the course cake! Reflection is the outermost manifestation of an individual’s analysis, synthesis, and self-assessment, especially if combined with try-it-out activities. The blog is a nice way to hear our inner voice which sometimes is rather silent but paying attention to every single detail we may look over if we do not stop to reflect. A professional reflective blog, in which all of us reflect on our teaching and learning, is a great way to discover one’s beliefs towards many issues we are aware of and care for.
As a LMS learning tool, Moodle is definitely a great system to work with students in higher education. Its unique features and its password-protected access guarantees student and teacher privacy as it actually happens in a real classroom.
Jonathan Acuña
Universidad Latina
Costa Rica
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Moodle is the popularly developing learning management system (LMS) and that is often called course management strategy, or maybe even digital understanding environment. Each student as well as educator can certainly utilize this most effective and cutting-edge instrument to discover and coach. It's a modern tool for teaching, studying and also sharing expertise through amount of people everywhere .