Out of all the projects I have had to complete for the course Instructional Applications of the Internet, the CMS project has been by far the most challenging. I do realize that we learn more and grow more when we are challenged verses doing things that are easy. Yes, completing things that are easy certainly help with our self-efficacy. However, when we face challenging tasks and are able to work through and learn, the internal reward of accomplishing the task is far greater than the boost of self-efficacy from completing easy tasks.
Moodle is new to me. And I am grateful for the opportunity to learn Moodle despite the frustration and stress that it might have caused me. Moodle is a free server that enables people to design and create course management systems. Blackboard Learn is another server for CMS. All of my online graduate courses are through Blackboard and are examples of using CMS. The biggest struggle for me initially with the Moodle project was simply seeing the purpose of using it in my current curriculum. After playing around with the tools, I learned how to set-up tasks, folders, assignments, upload files and links, crate pages, quizzes, forums, chats, wikis, and include tools for RSS feeds, glossary of science terms, assignment calendar, viewing online participants, and creating the grade book. The most positive aspect of Moodle is that it enables an educator or person to organize a variety of materials to be accessed and provides opportunities for people to interact and communicate. Although I focused my Moodle for 5th grade science, CMS can certainly be used in the business realm as well.
In the future, I can see using Moodle in my teaching. It would be great to be able to incorporate Moodle as part of stations in science. If I had a few computers, laptops, tablets, or iPads available for my students to use, I could include weekly assignments at a computer station on Moodle. Although I do not have that current set-up, I have considered using Moodle to upload the internet resources, assignments, and projects I currently have my students complete throughout their 5th grade year in science. I could design it specifically for topics and then have students access the materials through Moodle as we begin and work on a task. This would be a great place for me to organize my entire curriculum rather than having files saved individually on my school's server. As with any new technology or tool, I must learn it first before I see the benefits of using it in my teaching. I certainly see a purpose for Moodle and am excited to begin using it this next school year.
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