Authentic Learning: Transformation Level (5-8) | Arizona K12 Center

Authentic Learning: Transformation Level (5-8) | Arizona K12 Center

A wonderful example of using technology in teaching Social Studies lesson about Race.

Impressive and powerful!

Book Review. Science Teaching with Moodle: Raw

Book Review of Science Teaching with Moodle 2.0: RAW (Raw book by Vincent Lee Stocker)

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

This book is about using the new version of Moodle 2.0 in teaching science. The author gives a detailed explanation of the Moodle tools and resources in creating an interactive courses and classes for elementary or high school classrooms. Having a vast experience in teaching science with Moodle, the author provides a good overview of different aspects of interactive, engaging teaching and helpful tips for educators of how effectively use different tools and techniques. The book is written in a generic format and can be applied for designing a course using Moodle in any subject area.

When reading Stocker, it was comforting and inspiring to confirm some of my personal educational convictions and understanding of the constructivist nature of Moodle philosophy. I agree with the author’s position regarding the effectiveness of Moodle tools that allow teachers to create a collaborative classroom environment: these tools are discussed in chapters 3, 6, partially in chapters 8 (blogging, reflections, and blog commenting), chapter 9 (feedback, peer reviews, involving in creating quizzes, etc.). Augmented with pictures, the author provides clear steps explaining the HOW TOs of adding resources and activities on Moodle. The examples are based on the author’s teaching experience of science topics.

As I have just completed the development and teaching of a Moodle-based science methods course, myself, I was in a good position to compare notes with this resource. Indeed I found many similarities in the use of tools for my own teaching of a Science Methods course. Stocker does a good job of communicating the improvements found in Moodle 2.0, including such tools as wikis, blogs, etc. Several of the illustrated features sound very promising for empowering student learning: monitoring student learning outcomes and progress, integrated feedback, and specifying what activities and attainment in these activities have to be met for users to complete the course.

A raw book format implies that the author is still working on the book’s content and there is always room for improvements. What are the aspects of the book that need some change editing or perfection?

I think this book is more about Moodle 2.0 tools than it is about Science Teaching. I wish the author gave more examples from his Moodle course design, the Science assignments, the activities’ selection and the look of the Module patterns. By way of an example of what is missing from Stocker, here are two screen shots showing module formats from my own Science Methods course, which employs the following text book:.. Cited content from this volume is included in these screenshots.

Example 1: This illustrates the module format used for my Methods Course. The reader can see that the Module starts with an overview of the week’s learning outcomes and goals; highlighted terms are words from the course glossary; note that color coding is used consistently for various aspects of the course.

Example 2: The example below illustrates the use of external links, in this instance the Wordle word cloud site.

That such concrete illustrations are missing from the book is particularly surprising given the title “Teaching Science with Moodle.” I fully expected to learn from this book how to design a science course using Moodle 2.0, how to use the Moodle integrated tools to engage students in Science study and how to distribute use of such tools throughout the course, and so on.

It was refreshing to see a chapter about the tools and websites beyond Moodle. However, it would be more effective and useful if those Web 2.0 tools for science classrooms were classified by type and presented in a table or chart format – E.g., productivity tools, stimulating creativity sites, collaborative tools, science interactive websites, etc. By way of example, look at the table I created to compare and contrast the features of Web 2.0 tools (at: http://litacme21.pbworks.com/w/page/17924811/Web-20-Tools).

Last but not least, it was disappointing that there were typos, wrong words used, or Grammar errors in the book. Even "raw," a higher standard of professionalism is expected. Here are some examples of errors found in the text that suggest a need to proofread the work and make corrections before any copies are sold:

"Question Back" when Question Bank is intended (p99); "conditions very depending on the nature of the activity” when vary is intended (p. 113); "Blooms taxonomy" when Bloom’s taxonomy is meant (p.136) and " it is always goo to explain the reasons..." when good is meant (p. 184).

In conclusion, this book will be definitely helpful for the beginning teacher who desires to design an effective course with the constructivist Learning Management System Moodle. Stocker generously shares his ideas of building an aesthetically pleasant course with a productive, engaging learning/teaching environment. At the same time, the volume is indeed "raw;" perhaps too raw for publication without further improvement.

I am in the process of reading new Moodle books published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

More reviews are coming soon. Here are the new titles: Moodle 2.0 for Business Beginner's Guide, Moodle 2.0 Multimedia Cookbook and Moodle JavaScript Cookbook

Encouraging Student Creativity

I strongly believe in the importance of creative teaching. If a teacher creative and love to create, his or her students will be also creative. I came across this blog of a teacher who stimulates creativity of her students. Visit Mini Matisse and enjoy the selected music, creative assignments, videos and learning products that students are producing in Mrs. Hahn's class. There are no limits to student imagination and the flight of their ideas.

New Moodle Books: Science Teaching with Moodle

I have been just informed that Packt has published a new Moodle book and has a promotion month in March. I am interested in reading Science Teaching with Moodle book and writing a review. I am teaching science methods class this semester and am designing the course on Moodle.

I am ready to write a book about teaching with Moodle myself. If I only had more time...

Here is the Packt Press release:

Press Release

March, 2011

Packt celebrates Moodle March with exclusive book offer

Packt has this week announced a series of discounts and promotions to herald the forthcoming publication of the Science Teaching with Moodle 2.0 book in March. Moodle March will offer readers the exclusive discounts of 20% off the cover price of all Moodle print books and readers will be able to buy any 4 Moodle eBooks from Packt at a price of $60 / £38 / €45 for a limited period only.

Moodle is a free Course Management System (CMS), which is a web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites. Moodle also has many effective modules and assessment techniques for testing that can be used for any subject.

Science Teaching with Moodle 2.0, written by Vincent Lee Stocker, helps readers to create interactive lessons and activities in Moodle to enhance your students' understanding and enjoyment of science. The book, which is 386 pages long, is packed with lots of practical examples; each chapter takes you through a different aspect of teaching using Moodle.

“Moodle is one of the first topics Packt published books on and we remain committed to offering more interesting books that will help the diverse needs of Moodle users. The set of Moodle books we’ve recently published shows our continued commitment to topic area, and we intend to publish cutting-edge Moodle books for a long time to come”, said Packt's Open Source publisher Doug Paterson.

For more information on Moodle March and the discounts being offered throughout March, please visit: - https://www.packtpub.com/article/moodle-march