Project Evaluation

I believe the teachers I am working with are very receptive to implementing Moodle, each in their own way. The number of available computer stations in their labs as well as the available time in the full computer labs is the biggest factor in their implementation decisions. Ideally, it would be nice if every student had a station, but that is not the case. Brainstorming brought various options. Moodle could be used as only an organizational file for teacher lesson and while not the best use of the technology, it does have the teacher using Moodle. Other solutions include; alternating students between computer lessons and non-computer lessons, reserving more time in the full computer labs, and assigning it as homework. Until all students have access anytime they need it, it will continue to be only a teacher’s tool instead of a stand alone program.
Teachers have the categories identified for their program areas and beginning to enter those categories and electronic documents such as worksheets and PowerPoint presentations. The documents are scattered between their work computer, home computer, flash drives, CDs and the school’s server. At the very least they are organizing their documents and lessons into one common area, Moodle. They are identifying categories that need further supportive assignments and activities. Next fall, I will continue to work with them, giving mini lessons such as linking web pages and sites in documents, adding audio to PowerPoint presentations and setting up Webquest lessons. Also the ISD’s Instructional Services Manager will put together mini in-services based on our needs and requests.

I believe the approach I took to implementing my project was the best approach, but I feel like I am only a couple of steps ahead of them. I had to show a comfort level that I have not actually achieved. The project has built my confidence in some of the technologies, but also showed me the areas I need to strengthen. I believe the confidence I have gained will allow my next project to be much smoother.

In summary, I researched implementing Moodle as a classroom management tool. I enlisted good strategies in implementing my own Moodle site as well as three other teacher’s sites. I have modeled my approach and techniques using Moodle and have demonstrated the value of an LMS. I have begun incorporating technology into my lessons and I am working with other teachers to improve their knowledge as well. I am identifying my strengths and weaknesses and adapting my time-lines accordingly.
We are bringing the technology of the 21st century into our classes and changing our methods to adapt to a changing world.

Project Implementation

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It’s real simple to say to another instructor,”It’s easy.” or “Just get your students to help.”, but it is much more effective by showing them that it can be easy. I have started converting my program to electronic and I’m showing off to anyone I can. I borrowed a Flip Video camcorder from our Math and Science Department and asked students to script and shoot several basic videos that include safe operation of shop equipment. I was met with two different reactions.

My afternoon class took to it with great enthusiasm. They worked as a team in scripting, choreographing and acting. The student that narrated spoke more words in the video than he had all year. It was amazing to see. They took pride in getting everything right and they had fun while doing it. They were not happy with part of the video, so reshot that part the next day. They are still rolling by starting on the next one. Wow!

My morning class was just the opposite. They are a loud bunch, never afraid to speak up, but they avoided this assignment like the plague. The first day they did any job not to have to do a video. The second day, I explained that this was their last academic assignment of the year and time was running out. Three of the students slowly began working out the details of a video. They soon got into the assignment and like the afternoon class became enthralled. They too wanted to get everything right, not settling for close enough. I’ll see what tomorrow brings for the rest of that class.

With videos in hand (literally), I began showing them to other instructors. I think they were amazed on several fronts. As they know some of these students, they were surprised how well they presented in the videos. They could hardly believe they were shot in such short time. They also liked ease in which a Flip camcorder works, nothing complicated. I offered to send some of my afternoon students to their class to shoot a safety video. I think some will take me up on it. They want to see how I’ll incorporate these into Moodle. I have their interest.

I am in the process of linking the videos to my Moodle site. Once that is completed, I’ll show the other instructors how the videos can be used and how to set it up. I also have the receptionist scanning documents for me and I’ll show my colleagues how to add the documents as assignments to Moodle. We have 5 days at the end of this school year without students. My goal is to get at least three other instructors to begin setting up Moodle for their classes.

Project Description

I am a member of SIG Group 1, Challenges to Learning Management Systems. I have thought a LMS to be a great tool manage and store all of my electronic documents. As a document or lesson is created, it can be placed in the appropriate portion of the LMS program and can be found again by myself or a student. I use my computer at school, one of the several computers at home and numerous flash drives. A LMS will provide a common organizational program that can be accessed from any location. I won’t have to remember to bring a laptop or flash to school that has the lesson I plan to use that day. No more wasted time on emailing, uploading and downloading just to get the lesson on the computer I need to use.

My personal focus of LMS is exploring different ways in which traditional lecture and worksheets can be converted into electronic format. How we move from traditional methods into computer based lessons. I don’t think you can just throw away older, successful lessons just because they aren’t considered new. I will research what others have done for the conversion process, what has been successful and what may not have worked as well. A strong understanding of the process will assure a higher success of implementing an LMS in my program but other instructors programs as well.

The student will benefit by having the information, lessons and homework at hand. It will be laid out in a logical manner so that the student will be able to see the direction the curriculum is going and I feel will be more comfortable knowing what is expected now and what will be expected in the future. The student will be able move ahead at his or her own pace. The student will be able to find what is next in the learning process. Worksheets can be both online and printable.

The subject matter is Diesel Technology and the LMS will facilitate the academic lessons and provide instruction to the hands-on side. The subject matter can be organized in such a way as to provide a logical progression of learning. It will allow for independent study as well as remediation as needed. It does not rely on the teacher facilitating each and every step. Students can progress at their own speeds.

The LMS I will be learning and building through this project will be Moodle. The reason I chose Moodle was for the simple fact that our school has bought into the Moodle System and has a dedicated server for Moodle in the county. My focus will not be limited to the Moodle LMS, but I need to implement my research to show the validity of the findings and give myself a greater understanding of the findings. It always sounds easy until you try it.

I will be collaborating and sharing information with the rest of my group throughout the project.

Other group members will be researching applications of Blackboard and PeBL. We have a variety of class types in which we applying the LMS programs to. It will be very interesting to see the different approaches used to tackle the problems.

Test 1, 2

Just testing the new blog.