Quality Framework and Learning Theory
The Pedagogy Behind Moodle
Moodle is a Learning Management System (LMS) that fosters a constructivist approach to teaching and learning. It is a Web-based application that allows for the creation, distribution and management of courses over the Internet. This short video gives you an idea of what you can do with Moodle:
Web Resources
The Moodle site provides a great overview of the LMS. Make sure you visit the demonstration sites and watch the Moodle presentation video.
Pedagogical Approach
Using Moodle to teach fosters a social constructivist approach to teaching and learning.
"Constructivism assumes that students learn as they work to understand their experiences and create meaning. In the social constructivist model, teachers are knowers who craft a curriculum to support a self-directed, collaborative search for meanings. According to Siemens "Constructivist principles acknowledge that real-life learning is messy and complex. Classrooms which emulate the 'fuzziness' of this learning will be more effective in preparing learners for life-long learning." However, this open-ended process is still a linear one founded on objectives that reflect what experts have decided learners should be learning."
Siemens, G. 2005. Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning 2 (1). http://itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm (accessed May 27, 2008). Archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5Xuh37vbA.
The social constructionist philosophy that underlies Moodle asserts that learning occurs particularly well in a collaborative environment that both students and teachers build together.
Moodle is an open source application, which means that its source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge. Open source code is typically created collaboratively by programmers who improve the code and share it with the community.
Activity
There is a large Moodle community that shares tips and resources on how to use the LMS. Take some time now to register in the community by registering for the Using Moodle forum and explore the site. Once you register you can engage with other Moodle users, learn about features and tips and ask questions. The community is fairly swift to respond.
This brings you to the end of Module 3: Quality & Learning. Next you will get started with the planning stage for your online or blended course as you begin your study of Module 4. If you have any questions about the content covered in Module 2, please feel free to post them to the Course Q&A discussion.