Exploring Moodle
On the previous face to face meeting we had with the e-collaboration community, facilitated by Kontakt der Kontinenten, we had several e-tools to be explored. One of them was Moodle, introduced on their own website as: ‘a course management system (CMS) - a free, open source software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities.’I was looking for an online environment which could be used in a learning process based on face to face meetings and learning in the own workplace in between the meetings. For guiding the learning process in between I was thinking of using an online platform, where participants can meet, share ideas, experiences and stories. And where they can work together, have discussions on specific topics, and give feedback on each others products. I know Near-Time (http://www.near-time.net/home), but this platform doesn’t have any chat, forum or discussion options. So while I was looking for something else I heard about Moodle.
In the meeting with the e-collaboration community we explored Moodle, having several computers giving us access to this platform. We tried out some features, like having a chat conversation, starting a discussion and uploading documents. As always it takes some time to find your way in a new e-tool. It felt like having a ‘first touch’, as if there is so much more to discover. And there probably is! Afterwards, Agnes interviewed me about what I see as possibilities in Moodle, take a look:
Now, three months later I am using Moodle in an action learning process with 25 people! It is an intensive learning by doing process in which I learn about Moodle, all possible features and ways to design an environment in which members can find their way easily and can do what they want. Not so easy as it seems like. Besides that I learn a lot about facilitating this online learning process. Questions arise, like: what steps are helpful, what responses, how to stimulate members to share experiences, how to create a learning process between the members. Very interesting to learn about!
Sibrenne
Labels: moodle, online platforms
posted by Sibrenne @ 9:46 AM
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