Creating a Course in Moodle LMS: Teaching ESL Online
1. Web design:
After reading that creating the course in Moodle course itself would not necessarily meet the design expectations of this course, I started to review html. I watched John’s youtube videos about DreamWeaver, and have used it in the past, but I decided to use Sea Monkey as my “html” design tool. I focused on tables and the idea of using tables effectively to create some kind of linear pattern, but also to help me with labels, images and other additions. The biggest challenge was as aresult of converting my work from Sea Monkey into Moodle, I somehow lost the “easy” way to make quick changes in Moodle, and I was only able to use html format no matter what I tried. As a result, I have spent a lot of time learning about html. It is frustrating that people may not be able to “see” how much time I spent, but that is a constant personal frustration of using DL tools.I’m hoping it is flashy enough, but I have learned a great deal about html, so overall I am very happy with the product.
2. Splash page with a customized GUI with at least four (4) navigational components
In the title page at the top of my course I created a “customized” splash page based on a table using html and linking all my pages in the site. I also added a “Quick Links” in a block on the left hand side to try and meet the needs of my learners. I added an e-mail link as well so students could contact me.
3.Two (or more) complete learning modules (module shells or placeholder pages not acceptable), largely based on HTML pages
I completed four modules for this course based on html pages. There is an additional “incomplete” module based on web 2.0 resources. I added forums and a quiz which added to the links in the modules, which meant that I had to separate the files. The forums are strategically located for reflection time, so I felt that it was appropriate to split the lesson/content. The quiz was as “example” of what “could” be used as an Assessment tool. As a result, I tried to create one page- html based pages for the modules- based on the activities in the module.
Modules to be evaluated:
Teaching ESL Online Options
TAL- Technology Assisted Learning
4.One (or more) module programmed for selective release
This was another challenging activity for me. I was able to selectively release all the content and activities in the “ESL GlobalEd Tech Tools Module” by restricting the access until the “Traditional ESL Online Options” is complete. However, the student still “sees” the module. The only way to keep the entire module hidden is to “close the eye icon” in the editing settings, or to set the amount of topics at lower than the actual amount in the course settings. I chose to “close” the eye of the module for a “human” selctive release in addition to the programmed selective release for the content and activities of Module 4.
Completed Module that is programmed for Selective Release:
ESL GlobalEd Technology Tools
5. Two general discussion forum topics, One additional group discussion forum for (at least) 2 groups (must set up groups; they need not be populated)
I included at least one general forum post in every module and I added a “Team Project” forum in the Forum module that has groups and teams populated in it.
Overall- I would compare this assignment to learning a new language. In fact, the first time I read the assignment instructions I had to ask a freind of mine to “translate” it for me into terms that I could understand. Now I feel like I can read “the language” of course design, but I am still a beginner learner. As an online teacher, I have not been asked to put so much detail into my courses. However, the benefits of learning how to create this course with specific expectations, encouraged me to learn how to do things I never dreamed possible. I have often left the design up to others, and focused on the content and activites. I have learned that I am able to design “beginner” versions of quality products using html. I look forward to “tweeking” it the way that I want it, and using it for our new teachers.
Great activity – killed me, but I learned so much.