Moodle in the Primary School

Why would I? – pupil benefits –Caters for varied learning styles. –Provides opportunity for extension. –Provides opportunity for revision. –‘Digital Natives’ knowledge is used. Children/young people involved in social networking; collaboration and communication. Moodle appeals to these functions. –Gives learners a sense of ‘ownership’… their class Moodle, their content, their personalized space. –Offers flexibility and 24/7 access.

–Provides a vehicle for embedding ICT across the curriculum. –Reduction in workload (long term) –Features and functionality provide tools for teaching. –Motivation – especially boys? –WON’T teach the class though! Why would I? – teacher benefits

Parents and governors Supports home/school links Gateway for information and communication BUT be wary of what access rights you give…

Children have embraced the "C" words to build active communities of learners, to swap and exchange insights, to collaborate, communicate, create and challenge. Prof Stephen Heppell, EducationGuardian September 2006

Customising Moodle ‘Blank’ template to start RSS You can change: –Header image –Graphics –Colours –Icons –Text size –Number of blocks For whole site or individual courses.

Possible activities and resources Assignment Chat Choice Database Forum Glossary Hot Potatoes Quiz Questionnaire Quiz SCORM Wiki Text page Web page Link to file or website Show directory (folder) Labels

Example courses How do these activities fit into courses?

Rivers Forces Earth, Sun and moon Victorians Transport Rigolo French Questionnaire Governor information

What now? Building courses DOES take time –Think of something you already teach that could be enriched by using Moodle –Choose one area/topic/issue to start –Don’t necessarily put everything online in the topic: have some offline work too where appropriate –Attend twilight training courses –Contact a Learning Consultant if you have a particular project in mind: support is available –Perhaps see if your local high school uses Moodle: many collaborative projects are taking place

Contacts Daniella Martin Damaris Revell Roger Lang Andrew Slaughter (technical) Alison Wilson (training)