Jun 21 2009
Communication Tools Reflection
I included the following four communication tools in Unit 2: Cell Structures of my LMS: forum, wiki, chat and database. As my LMS is used to support and enhance a f2f course with opportunities for live discussion, synchronous communication in my LMS was not a priority. The activity for this unit is to review the power point notes covered in class and then to contribute the wiki, database and forum. The wiki requires the students to contribute images and functions for the cell organelles, the database requires them to add useful websites, and the forum requires that they develop a cell analogy and respond to others’ posts. It was very easy to add these communication tools to my Moodle. The options available for each tool allow the administrator to control student contributions. For example, how much editing privileges students have on the wiki can be set for particular groups. I find the Moodle wiki tool to be rather rudimentary, but this could be an advantage in that students can focus on content and not design. The database tool allows for students to contribute quantitative and qualitative data. I could foresee this tool being used to collect experimental data in a central location. I have also included a weekly live chat for students to discuss questions in real time. This chat could also be used to prepare before quizzes and tests. Although there are more powerful communication tools outside of Moodle, by keeping all of the platforms inside of the course, the administrator can monitor student contributions in one place.
