Best practices of moodle usp

1. Best Practices of Moodle @
the
University of the South Pacific
Dhiraj Bhartu, Rajneel Totaram,
Vilimaka Foliaki

2. USP

3. Our students

•Born around and after 1985, PC computer
increasingly available.
•Born in the internet age - Net Generation

4. Our students
•Rarely enter a library
•Rarely use the traditional
encyclopedia; Use Wikipedia
instead
•Use SEARCH engines
(Google, Yahoo, etc).
•Communicate using:
–SMS – text messaging
–Social networking -
Facebook, MySpace,
Twitter etc.
•Short Attention span
•They are CONNECTED 24/7!

5. Our students
•Impacted by digital technology Digital Natives
–e.g. PC, DVDs, Internet, mobile phones, computer games,
portable media players – mp3s, Ipods.
•Existing education system was NOT designed for this
new generation!
•Short attention span?
–Yes, to Digital immigrants (i.e. us), “Short Attention Span” or
ADD.
–Attention NOT short when they play games. etc.
–They need INTERACTIVITY – immediate response (from
teacher, friends, from network.)
–They choose NOT to be attentive. They are not interested.
–Traditional lesson IS NOT stimulating enough!

6. Web 2.0 in Moodle

9. Twitter

10. YouTube: Video hosting

11. Box.net

12. Offer assistance: basics

13. SNAPP network

14. Countdown timers
Assist and guide: time management and
self-disipline

15. Page Layout – IS221
•Stack layout
–New items added to the top
•Minimises “Scroll of death”
•Quicker Access

17. Study Room
•Online “study” area
•Very focused content
•Removes content overload

18. Online Avatar
•Online Buddy
•Provides a student perspective on the course
•Reinforce/Recap learning materials

19. Graphical Menus
•Appealing look
•Simple Animation adds Interactivity
•Textual Links look boring

20. Future Plans
•Moodle Gradebook access via SMS
•Moodle for Mobiles
•SMS Notifications
•Moodle/Banner Gradebook integration