My first article of 2012, and here’s a quick “How to” guide for teachers, directors of studies, academic managers or anyone who wants to get started with Moodle from a non-IT background. It’s easy, cheap (free) and doesn’t require you to make any commitments or sign any contracts. About Moodle As you may already know,… Continue reading Do you want to get started with Moodle?
Tag: CALL
A thorny issue: Protecting teachers’ and learners’ right to privacy
Introduction Elearning is booming and many schools are investigating the advantages and opportunities afforded by using the WWW to enhance participation in learning activities and add value to the courses they offer. The following guide is intended to help schools and teachers avoid some of the risks involved in encouraging or requiring learners of all… Continue reading A thorny issue: Protecting teachers’ and learners’ right to privacy
What’s SMIL and why should we use it?
OK, here comes a geeky article about elearning and data management best practices. Although the issues are very technical in nature, they require the support of well-informed management so that the most appropriate decisions can be made. Understanding these issues from the outset can save you or your organisation a lot of time, effort and… Continue reading What’s SMIL and why should we use it?
New Avatar (profile picture) Camera app
Introducing a new Flash app for the SWF Activity Module for Moodle that is possibly the quickest easiest way for learners and teachers to change or update their avatars (profile pictures). Using your computer or mobile device’s webcam, the app saves your photo directly to Moodle without saving images to your desktop or uploading. When… Continue reading New Avatar (profile picture) Camera app
SWF Activity Module now supports conditional sequencing
The latest build of the SWF Activity Module for Moodle includes support for conditional sequencing between SWF course module instances. This means that teachers and course content developers can require learners to successfully complete one SWF Activity Module instance before moving on to the next. What is conditional module sequencing? Normally, on any given Moodle… Continue reading SWF Activity Module now supports conditional sequencing
Thoughts on Flash…
OK, here’s a geeky rant. I’ve heard and read the same unfounded rumours, hearsay and conjecture about Flash so many times it’s starting to sound like urban myths. Let’s put this on the record for once and for all. So, here goes… (deep breath)… Flash is as secure as any other web technology In his… Continue reading Thoughts on Flash…
An alternative approach to EFL/ESL course design
The following article is a tentative presentation of a few ideas for an alternative approach to EFL/ESL course design that incorporate the rapidly evolving technologies and social norms of the 21st century. The ideas I’m presenting here are by no means new or my own. My intention is to share my thoughts and hopefully stimulate… Continue reading An alternative approach to EFL/ESL course design
What is Moodle?
Moodle is my learning management system (LMS) of choice. I’ve contributed two widely used plugin modules to it (the SWF Activity Module and the Media Player module) and use it with groups of volunteer students for my research in course content development and online learning approaches and strategies. What is Moodle? “Moodle (abbreviation for Modular… Continue reading What is Moodle?
Students can save snapshot images on Moodle
I’m pleased to announce a new open source application and web service that I’ve developed in collaboration with Greenwood College School in Toronto, Canada. Learners can now take snapshots of specially adapted Flash applications which are then saved by Moodle in the course files directory. It’s a simple yet powerful idea brimming with potential uses… Continue reading Students can save snapshot images on Moodle
SWF Activity Module now supports SWF Address
This article’s aimed at developers and adminstrators and addresses a web usability issue that has an ingenious solution. If you’re not at all “geeky” this article will most probably go right over your head. A common problem with Flash and web browsers is that they don’t use the same navigation model. Users regularly click on… Continue reading SWF Activity Module now supports SWF Address