Moving materials from Intranet to VLE

Andy Diament

Penzance

Reasons for project

Repurpose existing material Explore how to write eLearning

materials and activities Explore VLE in depth

Learning & Teaching Technical

Existing materials

Developed for trial with commercial VLE Content

Web pages (Created in Dreamweaver) Quizzes (Created in Hot Potatoes) Presented in 2 courses Presented with frames

Information & Communication for AS Physics (applicable to ICT/Computing/Music Technology)

Moodle

‘Moodle is undoubtedly the premier open source VLE Course Centred interface’ (FERL

Constructivist pedagogy Ease of Use – student / teacher Clear default interface Moving towards accessibility

standards Supportive community

Activities to move materials

Convert HTML to lessons Convert Hot Potatoes Quizzes to

Moodle quizzes Introduce

Uploadable assignments Glossary tasks Discussion forums & Chat Interactive spreadsheet

Problems

Copyright material Tried Importing Hot Potatoes

quizzes without editing Backup/restore format Database failure

Evaluation

With AS physics group Replaced conventional lessons for 1

week Mostly positive response Successful outcomes:

Easy navigation Success in quizzes Final test result exceed predicted grades

Concerns Too much material presented in lessons

Benefits for students

Change of activity Suits learning styles (of most) Material always available Can see progress Collaborative tools available Shared glossary printable for

revision

Benfits for Practitioner

Better understanding of effective eLearning activities

In depth knowledge of installation / maintaining moodle

Learnt from / contributed to http://moodle.org/ community

Enhanced database skills

Benefit to colleagues

Other colleagues want to move from Intranet to VLE

In depth knowledge to pass on teaching/learning technical

Feed into staff development Development plan

Future use of materials

Improved since trial: Minor errors Replace copyright imagery with own Check links Improved order (glossary task at start)

Deliverables

Information Leaflet Report This presentation Original materials (html) Course (moodle backup) Installation guide