Moodle Moment: Moodle 2.8

As a quick note, we will be updating our Moodle servers soon.  We are scheduled to update our test server May 15, our PD server May 22, and our K-12 server June 26.

We are still deliberating whether we will upgrade to Moodle v2.8 or v2.9.  v2.9 is being released May 11, so we will test it out to see if there are any potential bugs to be worked out (typically those are fixed within the first 2 weeks of release, meaning that the PD server will by just on the cusp of being bug-free.  If we feel v2.9 isn't quite ready, we'll go instead to v2.8.

Here is a look of the new features in v2.8.  Note, the following is an official playlist of 8 videos from Moodle.

Moodle Moment: Rubrics

Today's Moodle Moment is long overdue.  We take a look at how to create and use rubrics within Moodle.  The process is not only a time saver for teachers in leaving feedback, but it leads to more in-depth assessment.

Moodle Moment: Advanced Glossary Usage

For our Moodle Moment this Friday, we look at three different implementations of the Moodle Glossary within your course.  This includes automatically linking definitions when the term appears elsewhere in the course, posting a random glossary entry in a block on the front page, and exporting the terms to automatically generate quiz questions.

Moodle Moment: Wikipedia Filter

Our latest Moodle Moment takes a look at a new feature on our system, the Wikipedia filter.  This filter makes it quick and easy to add a link from text to a Wikipedia entry.

Moodle Moment - Different Forum Types

Our latest Moodle Moment examines four unique forum types.  Typically when instructors choose a forum in Moodle, they stick with the default "General Forum for Student Use", which allows students to create their own discussion thread in the forum, and then reply to other people's posts.

This Moodle Moment takes a look at putting your posts in a single thread, putting them in multiple threads but not allowing students to create their own, requiring students to post before they see replies, and prohibiting students from seeing other groups.

Moodle Moment: Atomic Learning Plug-in

We have a new plugin on our Moodle system, and it is excellent.  This makes it a snap to create and integrate an Atomic Learning playlist of tutorials within your Moodle course.  It takes only seconds to create, and students instantly have access to rich content.

Moodle Moment: Sharing Cart

In our Moodle Moment for today, we take a look at copying single items from one course (such as in our e-curriculum catalog) to another.  This requires a plugin called the Sharing Cart, which we have installed on our Moodle servers.  As we demonstrate, it is very easy to use the Sharing Cart.

Moodle Moment: Necklace Maker Analogy

Evan gives an overview of the "Necklace-Maker Analogy" when it comes to building online courses, whether for adults or for students.

Moodle Moment: Diigo in Moodle

Our Moodle Moment takes a look at two uses of Diigo within Moodle: 1) as a collaborative annotation tool, and 2) as a group bookmarking tool.

The OLLIE lesson on Diigo can be found at http://bit.ly/olliediigo

Moodle Moment: Zoom

Our Moodle Moment focuses on a synchronous tool this time, as we take a look at Zoom.  Zoom is a lightweight videoconferencing and screensharing tool supported by the AEAs.  Similar to Skype, it allows multiple users and easy recording.

While there is a paid version that allows you to have longer meetings (> 1 hour), the free version also the same basic features.  It integrates with phone conferencing, and participants do not need an account to join a meeting (not even a free account).

Below is the complete overview of the video and all its features back when we first  started using the tool in March.

Moodle Moment: PoodLL Audio Recordings (and more)

Our Moodle Moment today looks at a plugin within our Moodle systems.  This plugin is available free from the Moodle.org website.  It is called PoodLL, and it actually is a suite of plugins that allow you to do many different things, including audio recording and video recording.

The most common use of it is as an assignment type.  On our systems, when you add an assignment, you can make it accept PoodLL submissions, which means students can records themselves for their assignment instead of typing it out.  You can also do the same thing in forum posts and anywhere else in the site where students would normally have to type.


You can see more Moodle Moments here, on the AEA PD Online YouTube site.