Joint Presentation with Alan Bessette
The Second National Moodle Teachers and Developers Conference. Future University, Hakodate. 13-14 February 2010. Using Moodle for Program Administration.
1. JALTCALL - 2010
Using Moodle for
Program Administration
Poole Gakuin University
Alan Bessette
(bessette@poole.ac.jp)
Anne-Marie Tanahashi
(anmarie@poole.ac.jp)
2. Goals of our show & tell
• Describe how English classes are integrated and
administered in our Moodle site at
▫ http://www.poole-englishweb.com
3. Purpose of website
• For teachers
▫ To share information about students and classes
▫ To create their own webpages for blended learning
• For students
▫ As a resource
▫ Self-study
5. Teachers sharing information
• Communication between teachers is essential
▫ What happened & what to do next
▫ What was assigned
▫ Who was absent
▫ Who is having problems and difficulties
6. Teachers’ page
• Links to class materials, manual, resources, etc.
• Links to attendance (Google apps)
• Forums for sharing information
• Tutorials for using the site
7. Student resources
• Links to resources and websites
▫ Class websites, e.g., LEI
▫ Supplementary websites, e.g., elllo.org
▫ Textbook resources, e.g., Weaving It Together
• Syllabuses & schedules
• Class handouts and homework
• Forums
▫ Asking questions about classes
▫ Homework announcements
9. Blended learning
• Sheltered course on Britain
• Aim
▫ Provide students with an introduction to British
life and culture
▫ Enhance English skills
10. Why use blended learning?
• Students
▫ From different departments
▫ Wide range of ability
▫ Large number
• Can enhance and extend learning opportunities
for all students
▫ Provide unit related documents
▫ Provide practice for quizzes
▫ Distribute and collect homework online
▫ Provide regular assessment and feedback
11. Conclusion
• Place to communicate
▫ Between teachers
▫ Between teachers and students
• Organize class materials, links, handouts, etc.
Editor's Notes
The website is used for four purposes:Teachers sharing information: In the Core English program students meet twice a week for the same class and the class is shared between two teachers. Teachers have access to a webpage where they share information about students and classes.Student resource: Each class in the Core English program has access to its own webpage where students can check homework announcements, download class handouts, and find links for class activities.Self-study: A narrow listening library provides learners with 40+ listenings and quizzes to supplement class materials.Blended learning: English teachers can create their own webpages to supplement other English classes, for example, one teacher uses her webpage as a place for students to practice for in-class quizzes, respond to the class content and to find supplementary information for class projects.
Basic English classes for first & second year English classes as well as 3rd year writing classesL&S, R&W, and CALL classesClasses meet twice a week (NEST & JaST)3 sections in first year & 3 sections in second yearClass size averages around 12 students14 teachers: 5 NESTs & 9 JaSTsClasses meet twice a week and are shared by NESTs and JASTs 12 teachers are full-time, but two are part-time
Communication is essential; some f2f is possible, but teachers need to have a way to communicate when they can’t meet. Also need to keep others informed what is going on.
Teachers page Class 203Teachers page (topics format) hasLinks to class materials, manuals, resources, etc. (links to files or websites)Forums for each class for teachers to share information about classes, students, homework.All teachers are subscribed to forums so that they receive daily digests of postingsCaveats Not all teachers make same use of websiteEasier to talk to partnersComputer phobiaTutorials for using website
Class page 211Less interactive; more one way from teachers to studentsLinks to resources and websites, especially for CALL classClass websites, e.g., Longman English InteractiveSupplementary websites, e.g., elllo.orgTextbook resources, Northstar R&W textbook websiteSyllabuses & class schedulesClass handouts & homeworkForums for Asking questions about classes (seldom used)Homework announcements (students need training)All students are subscribed to forums so they receive daily digests of postingsCalendar for announcing school and class events
Moodle provides us with a place to communicate Between teachersWill become more important as part-time teachers join the programBetween teachers & studentsHandoutsAnnouncementsQuestionsOrganize class materials, links & handoutsInitial set-up requires some time investment, but once set up easy to maintain and easy to add to.Requires training for students and teachers
