E-Learning Software

Throughout college I had the pleasure of being on the student end of an e-learning software program named Moodle. Moodle is a cloud based service which allows instructors to upload anything from a simple assignment to an entire lecture with Power Point which the student is then able to access and use as instructed. While at Anderson University I was able to take exams, grab assignments, and watch or listen to lectures I had missed (or skipped). This type of service goes far beyond just simple assignment management though, my professors and myself were able to track grades, start discussions to ask questions, and stay in constant communication with everyone in the class. Each course has it’s own space on Moodle so I was never getting one class confused with another. As a student I loved to be able to go home and ask a question to my prof and the class, check any assignments, and to be able to do my work online and not have to worry about printing something out and taking it to class. As a teacher now I love the idea of being able to use a service like this in my class in conjunction with my students being provided with laptops, it would be awesome! I can imagine a nearly paperless classroom with so much being done online. I could use the service to upload my lecture and notes for all my classes and take more time in class to have more activities, simulations, and other interactive lessons. Now I am not talking about cutting notes out completely from my class, but you never know, with what is available today you may just be able to do so after some trial and error. Being able to have the test online with laptops in the classroom, the students would be able to take the online test in class, with me monitoring, and then BOOM! instant results and grades after they are done. It isn’t just about making teaching easy, it is about using things that the students will be able to take advantage of. Let’s face it kids today… I wasn’t one too long ago too… are more accustomed to using their computers at home for all kinds of things, most would find it “cool” to do their homework and some classwork on their laptop or online, versus taking out a notebook and a broken pencil everyday. So lets start investing more in some of these tools that can help everything from grading tests to class discussion!

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