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EVITA Project : “Exchange, Valorisation and Transfer

EVITA Project : “Exchange, Valorisation and Transfer of regional best policy measures for SME support on IT and e-business Adoption” eLearning: Which Platform?. Contract No 0226R1 - Kick-off meeting Athens 9 December 2008. What is an eL earning Platform?.

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EVITA Project : “Exchange, Valorisation and Transfer

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  1. EVITA Project: “Exchange, Valorisation and Transfer of regional best policy measures for SME support on IT and e-business Adoption” eLearning: Which Platform? Contract No 0226R1 - Kick-off meeting Athens 9 December 2008

  2. What is an eLearning Platform? • eLearning platform = Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) • VLE is seen as pivotal to the implementation of any distance-learning programme. • VLE • is a website that engages students in various learning activities. • includes a set of management & delivery tools to allow on-line materials to be provided and consumed within a clear, organised structure. • provides students with easy access to course materials, quizzes, self-assessment materials & communication tools.

  3. VLE Systems... • All institutions/projects offering e-learning have invested significant resources (time & money) to decide on the VLE to adopt. • Let us AVOID using too much resources to answer this question!! Resources should be used on developing the course material and the associated e-learning pedagogies.

  4. Which VLE is right for us? • VLE systems available include: • Customised systems i.e. those developed specifically for the project. • Commercial offerings e.g. Blackboard, eCollege. • Open source systems e.g. Bodington, Sakai, Moodle. • No single best option that suits all situations, otherwise all institutions would take that choice.

  5. Customised VLE • Pros • Developing our own VLE system internally ensures that the VLE will have features which serve the project needs. • Cons • Lots or resources (money, time, human) needed. • Development is a lengthy process that could delay the implementation of e-learning (as per experiences with other projects). • Recommendation: AVOID

  6. Commercial VLE • Pros • Established VLEs with the all the usual features that any VLE will have. • Technical support & backing by the company providing the VLE. • Cons • Expensive to procure. • Expensive to purchase ongoing support. • Recommendation: AVOID

  7. Open Source VLE • Pros • Least expensive option to set up & maintain. • Use of open source VLEs has increased in the past 5 years. Reputable universities have switched from commercial VLEs to open source VLEs. • Cons • Uncertainty regarding ongoing future development of open source VLEs. • Requires in-house or commercial support. • Recommendation: ADOPT for the project.

  8. Which open source VLE? Moodle – www.moodle.org • Emerged in 1999 from the Australian higher education community. • Moodle - an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. • Large & diverse user community, multilingual, scalable VLE. • Adopted by reputable e-learning institutions including the Open University.

  9. Moodle... • Continuity - Ongoing technical development. Programme code developed by institutions & individuals is made available to all Moodle users at no cost. • Support – Relatively easy to maintain. Commercial companies can offer both hosting & support (where institutions lack technical resources).

  10. Moodle Features... • Moodle has many features expected from a VLE: • Resource types • Question types • Data field types (for the database activity) • Graphical themes • Authentication methods • Enrolment methods • Content Filters • Many third-party Moodle plugins are freely available making use of this infrastructure.

  11. Moodle Features (2) • Web based VLE - no downloads on student or tutor computer. • Upload of files: doc, xls, ppt, pdf, mp3, avi, mpg, etc. • Online quizzes, multiple choice tests, etc. • Forum & wikis. • Email facilities. • Tracking student use of resources.

  12. Using Moodle • Experience: • The learning curve for most tutors & students is not steep. • Minimal technical training is required for tutors in terms of setting up & maintaining their course area. • Students with average ICT skills can work through Moodle course areas with minimal support. • A lot of support material (online help & manuals) is available.

  13. Thank you

  14. Contacts: Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit Ir-Razzett tal-Ħursun University of Malta Msida MSD 2080 Tel: +356 2340 2189 Web: www.ftz.org.mt

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