How to Get the Most out of the Moodle Learning Management System

Above view of young social media marketers sitting on floor and using computers while analyzing marketing tools — Image from Envato, by Pressmaster

Did you know that the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) was designed specifically for student interaction and collaborative learning? Moodle was developed by Martin Dougiamas of Perth, WA, and released in 2002 as an open source program. It is now used all over the world as one of the most common platforms for delivering online and blended educational programs.

Because it is designed for interaction and collaboration, the Moodle environment and its tools can be very effectively used for a dynamic and constructivist approach to an online or blended course.

In this short Coffee Course we are going to discuss the most useful configurations of Moodle, and its most useful tools, to create a positive, engaging learning experience for your students.

Dates

This 4-day Coffee Course has been postponed until further notice. There will be 4 blog posts, one per day, that will take about 15-20 minutes to work through. You are welcome to work through the course at your own pace, any time.

Modules

Day 1: Putting on our Student Hat – Thinking about student-centred course design with an example of an engaging Moodle course designed by an ANU academic.

Day 2: Behind the Scenes – We will look at the impact of the course settings and how the choice of Moodle tools can affect the look and feel of your course, and therefore the student experience.

Day 3: Tools for Interaction and Engagement – Using Lesson, Quiz and H5P as interactive tools: make engaging workbooks, branched scenarios and challenge quizzes for formative learning.

Day 4: Tools for Community and Collaboration – Create a feeling of connection and community using Moodle communication and collaboration tools.

All are welcome

We welcome all staff, including tutors, demonstrators, professional staff, and academics at the Australian National University and beyond to join us for this course.

How to participate

The entire course will be conducted online, at your own pace through this blog. We encourage you to make a cup of coffee or tea and work through the material. Each post includes an activity or discussion question for you to respond to in the comment section of the blog. Be sure to subscribe to the blog – You’ll receive an email each time a new post is made, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Facilitators

Jill Lyall | Education Design, Centre for Learning and Teaching
Jill has a background in social sciences, community services, and adult education.  Jill has worked for many years in Vocational Education and Training in a TAFE environment in Western Australia.  During that time she developed an interest in technology for learning, and developed her skills for online learning. Since early 2015, Jill worked with ANU Online, creating online materials for post-graduate courses and support and training resources in technology enhanced learning for academics at ANU, until the Centre for Teaching and Learning was established, where she now works in the same role.

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Dr Scott Rickard | Education Design, Centre for Learning and Teaching
Dr Scott Rickard worked in the communication and multimedia sectors for a decade prior to her transition into academia. She has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and her research experience explores the adoption of technology by families, women, as well as organisations and fuels her continual interest in the use of ed tech by both academics and students. She has a passion for pedagogy and in 2020 she was awarded a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy for her commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching. She is a member of TELRG and Disability Plan Action Groups here at ANU. .