1. Using Moodle as the core component of a L(E)A Learning Platform
NAACE Annual Conference, 1st March 2007
• Ian Usher • E-Learning Co-ordinator •
• School Improvement Service •
• Buckinghamshire County Council •
This presentation was given at Cisco, Bedfont Lakes on the 29th September 2006 as part of the Naace All Members Annual Conference.

2. You’re talking about what?!
Buckinghamshire & the BucksGfL
A little on Moodle
What Open Source means to us
What about commercial products & content?
Official opinions on OSS and why they’re wrong
Some live Moodle sites

3. First of all… it: www.bucksgfl.org.uk me: iusher@buckscc.gov.uk
If you’d care to get in touch:
it:
me:
moodlea.blogspot.com
skype: iusher
Please ask any questions as we go – ta!
You can visit the BucksGfL web site without requiring a login even though it is a Moodle server. This presentation will be linked to from my blog, please post any questions there.

4. Buckinghamshire in 30 seconds
selective – grammar / upper schools / 11+
~240 schools
very diverse – 2,000 to 22 pupils
BucksGfL – broadband network available to schools
on top of this, a learning platform – a ‘learning services framework’
More information at

5. BucksGfL Learning Platform elements
(webmail, Outlook, etc.)
Online Learning Environment (‘VLE’)
Videoconferencing / Online Collaboration (centrally hosted on dedicated server)
all as part of BucksGfL broadband subscription
an “E-Learning Framework” rather than a monolithic “platform”
All of this is provided and supported by Atomwide
An E-Learning Framework allows individual elements to be improved / removed without changing the entire framework

6. parts of an ‘E-Learning Framework’
M.I.S.
other stuff
single sign on
S H I B B O L E T H
Shibboleth is a technology which allows single sign on across a wide range of services which may not be held in the same domain.
parts of an ‘E-Learning Framework’

7. The ‘M’ word Moodle – Open Source Learning Environment from moodle.org
Free in many ways
Based on PHP/MySQL and some Javascript
Works on Windows, Apache, CD, USB
Integrates with any number of databases
Flexible, powerful, easy to use, cuddly?
Moodle servers are separate instances – shared across a few servers

8. Moodle’s philosophy in 5
All of us are potential teachers as well as learners - in a true collaborative environment we are both.
We learn particularly well from the act of creating or expressing something for others to see
We learn a lot by just observing the activity of our peers
By understanding the contexts of others, we can teach in a more transformational way (constructivism)
A learning environment needs to be flexible and adaptable, so that it can quickly respond to the needs of the participants within it
taken from

9. Is it important?
“Buying a Virtual Learning Environment VLE is one of the most important decisions for an institution, one the has major implications for it, and should be seen as significant as buying a major new building. The choice of VLE will be significant across all areas of the institution and especially in the way in which teaching and learning are undertaken. It is therefore essential that the selection of the VLE and the way it is implemented are in close accordance with the institution’s strategic plan.”
Geoff Minshull “VLEs – Beyond the fringe and into the mainstream”
This is taken from FE but is very relevant to schools at both primary and secondary level.

10. What does “open source” mean for us in a practical sense?
Not the same as “Open Standards”
Access to source code
Large, collaborative community
Developments based around need
Led by educators (from all levels)
Investments & benefits are shared back
It belongs to anyone

11. Why not commercial products? (including the experience of West Sussex)
Speed of implementation / development time
Lack of control and/or flexibility
Some just not suited to primary
Training & development an extra burden
We wanted to set the agenda
Sharing resources, time and expertise is the underpinning principle of all this work.

12. Being of little or no cost does have a number of advantages
No pressure – school sets own timescale
Preparation can happen without “wasting” some of the licence period
Primaries (and small schools) aren’t left out
The collaborative, sharing nature of the OS community is easily reflected in the users
Allows appropriate use
Sharing resources, time and expertise is the underpinning principle of all this work.

13. What about commercial content?
Most staff want to use their existing materials & incorporate elements of commercial content to “personalise” things for themselves Ref: Gerry Graham, LTScotland The scissors, Pritt-Stick™ and paper approach to digital content creation Becta Expert Technology Seminar on Content Creation & Management
Some commercial providers (Pearson, 2Simple, Nelson Thornes, Learn Premium) are starting to package things “right”
There’s a lot more to do in content & licensing

14. “ (those using Moodle) …boys playing in garden sheds…”
a couple of ‘quotes’:
“ (those using Moodle) …boys playing in garden sheds…”
(DfES presenter at Learning Platforms Roadshow)
“…if anyone mentions Moodle and primaries in the same sentence I'll scream…”
(attributed to representative from DfES Strategic Technologies Division)
Attributed to a named DfES person speaking at a Learning Platforms Roadshow via the naacetalk mailing list
So what does the DfES tell schools?

15. Common objections to open source
TCO is higher “a few hundred / thousand to tens of thousands of pounds”
Lack of “accountability” & responsibility
Hobbyists on eBay-sourced hardware
“Open source isn’t trustworthy”
There’s no support
Physician, heal thyself…
Evidence?
LA/RBC
Service Providers
Prejudice?
LA/RBC

16. Moodle sites in Buckinghamshire: learning.bps.bucks.sch.uk
SLICT (Strategic Leadership in ICT) School
Excellent use of storytelling using forums
Logo courses
Radio broadcasts

17. Moodle sites in Buckinghamshire: learning.gms.bucks.sch.uk
Focus on Numeracy for Year 5 and 6 using online quizzes

18. Moodle sites in Buckinghamshire: learning.winslow.bucks.sch.uk
Michelangelo’s Laptop – Gifted & Talented Digital Art Course for Years 5 and 6
Desert Island – Year 5 Extended Writing Course
Kensuke’s Kingdom – Transition Unit for Year 6

19. Things we’ve learned Primaries can drive this
Secondaries have a different attitude
The collaborative nature of the software can influence its user community
Usernames are key
Collaboration between authorities is potentially as powerful as that between schools

21. Last of all… it: www.bucksgfl.org.uk me: iusher@buckscc.gov.uk
If you’d care to get in touch:
it:
me:
moodlea.blogspot.com
skype: iusher
If you didn’t ask a question please ask it on the blog above or on the Naaceblogs entry. Thanks!
You can visit the BucksGfL web site without requiring a login even though it is a Moodle server. This presentation will be linked to from my blog, please post any questions there.