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Benefits of Using MoodleMoodle is a course management system (CMS) - a free, Open Source software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities. It has been translated into over 70 languages, in 196 countries, and has millions of users, over 330,000 users alone on the www.moodle.org website. You can see the phenomenal growth of Moodle here moodle.org/stats/In Australia the take up has been equally impressive, with many large organisations choosing to migrate from proprietary system to Moodle such as TAFESA who now uses Moodle as a split platform with Janison. VETSA is a Moodle site that was setup around 4 years ago by the Flexible Learning Framework, and has since blossumed into a site of over 300 courses and over 300 users
So what can you do with Moodle? | |
| 1 | Upload Content simply and efficiently
This might sound obvious, but Moodle had purposly been built to be as simple as possible to upload content for both Facilitators and Users. This means that the learning curve and training required to get users up to speed is minimised and users do not feel threatened by the interface.
It is very intuitive and easily navigatable.
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Categories, Courses, Topics/Weeks
Have the flexibility to arrange courses within groupings.
Usually Categories (similar to year levels, year 8, year 9 etc), Courses (similar to subjects within the year level, Year 8 Maths, Year 8 English etc) and finally Topics/Weeks within each course.
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| 3 | Record and Track Users, via quizzes, assessments Assignments etcMoodle enables users to be tracked via activities through out the course, such as quizzes, assessments, assignments etc. This can form a powerful way of both tracking users participation in the course as well as their individual competency of the content.  Brian Gepp from TAFESA has used the Moodle grade book to his advantage, with around 150 students, with around 50 assessment tasks. VETSA First Year Building and Construction ApprenticesDownload in ODS (.xls, .csv) and text file (.txt) Looking at ways to publish students results to other systems and reporting tools as well, ie Flex. |
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| 4 |  Add course specific "Blocks" and "Files"
Each course is able to have their own structure and look if required. Blocks on each side of the content can easily be added/deleted/edited (RSS feeds, links, participants etc) |
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| 5 |  Engaging Self Tracking Assessments
A way to encourage users to complete assessment tasks in a relatively fun and non threatening environment. Scores from these flash Assessments are then automatically recorded in the Moodle Grade Book. Satisfac Credit use such assessments within their Moodle with great results. |
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| 7 | SCORM Objects and Toolbox Repository
Add in rich content that has already been developed. SCORM is an international standard for developing course material that can then be imported into any SCORM complaint LMS system, which Moodle is.
SCORM Example from Metal Fabrication Toolbox
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| 8 |  Moodle on a Stick
Moodle can easily be run off of a USB stick or DVD/CD if required. Great for remote learners who are unable to access the internet. The whole Moodle experience can be enjoyed without internet connection (without chat/forum etc). |
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| 9 | Moodle Training
This is a critical part of implementing a sustainable Moodle site within any organisation.
Understanding the way Moodle works and how to use the key features of Moodle gives organisations a much better chance of successfully implementing Moodle in their workplace.
Ongoing Administration and Technical support is also offered to ensure that usefulness of the site is maximised within the organisation.
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PayPal Gateway
A developed for the