Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Moodle sessions on Wednesday 14 July 2010

Embedding media in Moodle (9.00-9.30 session)


by Francis Kneebone from Scripture Union, Queensland


Link to his abstract


Francis described a few ways that media and plugins could be embedded as HTML code in Moodle items (especially labels). View needs to be changed to see the code using the HTML toggle button.


Here are a few tips from Francis about how to use media in courses:
  • ensure that the media engages but doesn't distract from the learning
  • work out where to build walls (where students don't need to go out to the internet) and where to build wells (encourage students to delve into internet resources)
  • ensure that there is a consistent structure within topics or modules so that students know where to find the media



Here are some examples of embedding media into Moodle courses:
  • creating a Facebook page and linking to it from Moodle
  • embedding HTML from a Youtube video
  • create your own Youtube channel and use this to distribute videos to your students
  • include an introduction/ welcome video from the instructor as well as a video from an expert in each of the topics/modules in a course



Cautions:
  • some HTML code can wreck the rest of the course
  • widgets from widgetbox.com can be problematic as they can bring spam and advertising with them which shows up in your course
  • Flash files won't work on mobile devicessome plugins don't work with some browsers



Trends:
  • students using more mobile devices to access course materials
  • Moodle 2.0 may not need embedding HTML coding to show media



Here are a few places on the web that Francis shared with us from where you can find good media resources:



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Glossaries and databases (9.30-10.00 session)


by Tabitha Roder from Unitec


Good way to encourage students to contribute to the Moodle course.


Link to her abstract


Glossaries


Think of glossaries as word lists – not as definition lists.


Main aim – get students to consider words in the context of their course.


See yourself as someone who points students in the right direction of finding the most appropriate words - not as the giver of definitions and key words.


In Moodle: Add an activity / glossary


Options to select:
  • Yes- duplicate entries are allowed (to enable the same word to be defined in different ways)
  • Yes to allow comments
  • Students can then print out the glossary later (can take it away from the course later)
  • Show “special” link so that the key words appeared linked in all sections of the course
  • No to approve by default if you aren’t sure of the students
  • Edit always – yes: so that the original author can rewrite the words after they have written it. They can also delete it.
  • Secondary glossary. Approved terms go to the main glossary. Or say that every entry has the right to be on the front page glossary.
  • Students can rate each others work or the teacher can rate them.
  • Restrict ratings – can happen at a later date, after students have edited and responded to comments.

Databases


Databases are the next level up from glossaries – use databases after you have created and used glossaries. Get familiar with glossaries first.


Some of the options on the database function in Moodle include:
  • Required entries – must contribute some before they see others.
  • Maximum entries - if you only want students to enter a certain amount of entries
  • Students can comment on each others entries if comments are turned on
  • Require approval if you are concerned about the content being added by your students - you will have to approve each one before they are published.
  • “Preset” – someone else made a database that you can use. Can also find some on Moodle.org
  • Fields – make your own fields, choose from a drop down list
  • Can export from Moodle
  • Templates – how you make the fields of the database look
  • Databases can be viewed as single entries or as a full list.



See examples on Moodle.org. see the modules and plugins section on Moodle.


Martin encouraged us to use images in the glossaries as well. Can also embed videos and/or audio clips.

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