When reflecting on using Moodle as a platform I have to admit that my first experience with it has not been very positive. I enjoyed creating the introductory module, and by that I mean researching the components of a well constructed introductory module and working on these components. The components that make up a good introductory module are being able to involve students quickly, setting expectations, establishing rapport and identifying the value of the subject. In addition to these an introductory module should establish the author’s credibility, establish a climate for the class (mine is relaxed), provide administrative information and introduce the subject matter.  Revealing something about yourself is important to set the tone for the class and I chose to use an avatar to do this to promote interactivity and to expose my class to an application they may choose to use with their own students.

The problem was the platform itself. For starters, I found the Moodle platform to be unnecessarily complicated. There are way too many settings and the whole format of the platform is not  user friendly (in my opinion). There are so many apps out there that provide for more interesting ways to present information and interact with learners. I think Moodle is used because you are able to track student progress. I’m not sure if this is true, but I assume this. In addition, it provides an educational institution with a uniform way to deliver content. The problems I had with Moodle were: 1. It was complicated to navigate 2. It timed out as I was working within it and I lost my work 3. The last information I added was showing up perfectly in the edit mode, but when I saved and turned editing off it was not showing the same content on my page???? I guess my point is that in our technology infused times there has to be a better solution than Moodle. The course i created, which is a course designed for elementary educators and is a short course, would be better delivered through a similar but less complicated platform. Many of the courses and workshops that are given at our school board are presented using “Google Drive”. It is a limited platform but sometimes “less” is better. The great feature of Google drive is that it automatically saves your content.  think using a combination of Google Drive and applications that are interactive would have sufficed for my course objective and purposes.

As I further reflect, since this is the first time I have used Moodle, perhaps there is a huge learning curve. I guess I am accustomed to apps that are very intuitive and so I felt like I was going back in time (technologically speaking)! When I think of intuitive ways of sharing and learning another app comes to mind. The Padlet app is a great one to use to build and share ideas and resources. Chatterpix is another great app to use to share information and interact. I have included videos for both in the replies below.

Upon further reflection, attempting to work within this platform as a newbie would have been much more productive in a face-to-face class where problems could have been avoided or mitigated. I’m not sure that an online attempt without personal and immediate assistance is the best way to approach this platform. I think once a course has been established in this platform and an individual has been given ample assistance and time to work within the platform PERHAPS it would become more efficient to work in. Like anything, once you understand how it works, it becomes easier. Some of the literature I used to help build the introductory module: The strage thing is that I had formatted all of these in APA and when I imported them they lost their formatting???? I am trying to edit these in WordPress but I am unable to.

Custom Guide Online Learning. (2011). iPad quick reference. Retrieved from                      http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/iss/training/documents/ipad-quick-reference-2.pdf

Google Sites. Technology is learning- samr model. Retrieved from             https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model

Gormley, K., McDermott, P. (2014). Differentiating literacy instruction-there’s an app for that!    Language and Literacy Spectrum, volume 24. Retrieved from          http://www.nysreading.org/sites/default/files/Differentiating%20Literacy%20Instruction      %E2%80%94There%E2%80%99s%20an%20App%20for%20That_0.pdf

IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning. (2002-2014). The importance of introductory modules.             IndianaUniversity-Purdue University Indianapolis. Retrieved from             http://ctl.iupui.edu/OnlineTeaching/Course-Organization–Planning/Introducing-the-               Course/Importance-of-Introductory-Modules

JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee). (2004). Effective practice with e-learning a good               practice guide in designing learning. University of Bristol. Retrieved from  ttp://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/publications/effectivepracticeelearning.pdf

Perkins, M., Pfaffman, J. (2006). Using a course management system to improve classroom           communication. The Science Teacher. Retrieved fromhttp://techspo2010.pbworks.com/f/Using+a+CMS.pdf