Using Moodleto Differentiate

Instruction

                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                            

Moodle: What is it?

• A course management system – Online– Blended

• Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment

• “Home base” for class resources, activities, discussions, etc.

How is it relevant to education?

• Well-suited to differentiating instruction – Supports student-centered learning– Lots of interactivity– Management tools

• Geared toward education and K-12

• Free and open source software

• Easy to set up and to manage

• Large supportive community

What does the research say?

• Rapidly expanding part of K-12 education• Experts predict that by 2019, half of all high

school classes will be taught online [Christensen, Project Tomorrow, 2009]

• Collaborative online environments will reach mainstream adoption in K-12 schools in one year or less [Horizon K-12 Report, 2009]

• 45 states have a state virtual school or online initiative, full-time online schools, or both [Watson, 2009]

• Almost half of grade 6-12 students are interested in online courses; 40% think it should be part of school, but only 10% have taken an online class through their school [Project Tomorrow, 2009]

• Student reasons for taking online classes– Be in control of my own learning – Work at my own pace– Easier to learn– Get extra help

[Project Tomorrow, 2009]

Moodle Usage Statistics

Getting Started

• You will need a Moodle server set up to begin– If you don’t want to host this yourself,

options include a district, county office, intermediate unit, university, or state host or a commercial hosting service

– Have your Moodle administrator set up a course for you

www.tinyurl.com/k12moodle

Log in as a guest.

Examples

• Resources• Activities

– Forums– Chats– Assignments– Lessons– Glossaries– Quizzes– More

Karen Fasimpaur

email: karen@k12handhelds.com

Thank you!

Image credits: Slide 1 “Classroom” – Credit: Virtual Learning Center at CSD; Slide 1 “Screen” – Credit: Rogier Noort