What Are the Advantages of Moodle?

Moodle

Contents

1. What is Moodle?

2. What are the advantages of Moodle?

3. What are the features of Moodle?

4. What is M-learning?

5. What are the advantages of M-learning?

6. How does M-learning help the environment?

1. What is Moodle?

Moodle (acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a free software e- learning platform, also known as a Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). As of June 2013 it had a user base of 83,008 registered and verified sites, serving 70,696,570 users in 7.5+ million courses with 1.2+ million teachers.

Moodle was originally developed by Martin Dougiamas to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content, and is in continual evolution. The first version of Moodle was released on 20 August 2002.

The Moodle project comprises several distinct but related elements, namely

 The software.  Moodle Pty Ltd (also known as Moodle.com and Moodle Headquarters, based in Perth, Western Australia), an Australian company which performs the majority of the development of the core Moodle platform.  The Moodle Community, an open network of over one million registered users who interact through the Moodle community website to share ideas, code, information and free support.  the Moodle Partner network, which forms the commercial arm of the Moodle environment and provides the bulk of the funding to Moodle Pty Ltd through the payment of royalties.

2. What are the advantages of Moodle?  Moodle can be a great advantage for teacher in school to help as an organizational tool. In terms of business, Moodle can be used as an organizational tool for content for different courses. A training unit within an organization may teach multiple courses and Moodle can be used to organize content for the different courses for the employees to have access to. The layout and organization structure of Moodle may be easier for employees to navigate and utilize because of Moodle’s structure. It allows for the employees to navigate through the different sections and review information that is posted.

 Another advantage of Moodle is that it allows for many different types of content formats to be uploaded and available for use by the students and the instructor. Moodle not only allows for learning to be done online or at a distance but also it allows for resources to be available to students in who are in instructor-led classes. Moodle also has different options and tool available for use. Moodle allows for communication to happen between the instructor and students and students can also communicate with each other. Communication in Moodle range from forums, blogs, chats and messages among the individuals who are enrolled within a course. This is an advantage because if the course is an online or distance learning course, communication is key to ensure that the lesson is effective and if there is a problem, there are resources available to allow for effective communication.

3. What are the features of Moodle?

Moodle has several features considered typical of an e-learning platform, plus some original innovations (like its filtering system). Moodle is very similar to a learning management system. Moodle can be used in many types of environments such as in education, training and development, and business settings.

Some typical features of Moodle are:

 Assignment submission  Discussion forum  Files download  Grading  Moodle instant messages  Online calendar  Online news and announcement (College and course level)  Online quiz  Wiki

4. What is M-learning? The term m-learning or "mobile learning", has different meanings for different communities, covering a range of use scenarios including-learning, educational technology and distance education, that focuses on learning with mobile devices. Mobile learning is defined as "learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices” In other words, with the use of mobile devices, learners can learn anywhere and at any time.

5. What are the advantages of M- learning?  Educational Support Using smartphones and tablet computers, students have easy access to knowledge. They use their devices as supportive educational tools. They now have access to diagrams, articles, essays and other academic information which can improve student performance in the classroom.

 Interaction We all know that when a teacher calls upon a student, the student gets the jitters, thinking that he or she might be in trouble. With mobile learning, communication between teacher and student is easy. It can even encourage shy students to communicate more openly when they are in class. Teachers can also use mobile devices to interact with students that require special attention.

 Management No two students are the same. Each has their own way of absorbing information. Several educators note that each student requires different pedagogies or strategies for learning. Through mobile learning, students are able to learn in their own way. They can now personalize and enjoy learning.

 Wider Access Other than having access to educational tools online using their smartphones and tablet computers, students now have access to industry experts. Students can read reviews and blogs by field experts. They can also follow conferences and “webinars” (online seminars). They also now have a chance to interact with professionals even from their homes or classrooms. Using gadgets, they can overcome distance and expenses too.

 Special Education More and more gadgets are being developed every day to help students with learning disabilities. Mobile technology can also benefit those with special needs. Now that there are several apps that cater to learning disabilities and physical impairments, we can say that learning-challenged students have a chance to be equal to those who are normal.

6. How does M-learning help the environment?  Reduces the usage of paper

 Reduces the costs of transportation

 Cost effective 7. What is PHP? PHP (recursive acronym for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor) is a widely-used open source general- purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development and can be embedded into HTML.