EDEN Open Classroom Conference, October 27-29th 2011
The development of lessons, case
studies, scenarios and simulations in
the Moodle Virtual Learning
Environment for self directed learning
(SDL)
By
Michael O’Rourke
Lecturer
Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering
Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland
in association with and funded by the National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and
Learning (NAIRTL), UCC, Ireland
Project Objectives
• Familiarisation with the settings and features
of the lesson activity in the Moodle VLE.
• Exploration of the use of the lesson activity for
case studies, scenarios and simulations.
• Lesson development techniques.
• How lessons can be incorporated into a
module for self directed learning (SDL).
• Exploration of the use of open educational
resources (OER) within a Moodle lesson.
• Learner feedback on the use of lessons.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Main features of the Moodle lesson
• An activity in the Moodle VLE.
• Timed and scheduled like a quiz, if required.
• Multiple pages which can contain various
multimedia elements like text, images, sound,
video and web links.
• Each page can contain a question (True/False,
Short Answer, Multiple Choice, Essay,
Matching, Numerical).
• Sequence can be linear or branching.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Main features of the Moodle lesson
• Questions can be imported in various formats
from elsewhere.
• Presentations can be imported.
• Can be used to create flashcard exercises for
learners.
• Lesson scores are incorporated into the Moodle
grade book, if appropriate.
• Emphasis is on teaching and learning, not
assessment (use quiz tools for assessment).
• It is a conditional activity i.e. a pathway can be
specified for learners who are taking a number of
lessons as part of a module.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
A branching lesson
• The learner is led through a troubleshooting
or decision making scenario.
• Each page presents new information about
the scenario.
• A question is asked on each page which may
cause a branch or jump to another part of the
lesson.
• Feedback is provided on each page.
• May be scored and/or timed, if required.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Start
Check the indicator leds
on the system unit and
monitor
Y
Are leds
on?
A
N
Check electrical power
socket
Is it
plugged
in?
Y
N
Plug it in
Switched
on ?
N
Switch it on
Y
Check power cables to
system unit and
monitor
Are
cables
connecte
d?
B
N
Connect cables to
both units
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Sample part
flowchart for
a branching
lesson
Example 1: A branching lesson
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Example 2: A branching lesson
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
A linear lesson
• The learner is ‘led’ through pages of content in a
linear style i.e. no branches/jumps.
• A container for packaging any type of multimedia
content including lecture notes or OERs.
• Ideal for SDL as it ‘forces’ the learner to review
the content of the lesson and answer any
questions included in the lesson.
• Should be scored and/or timed to incentivise the
learner.
• Feedback may be provided on each page as
appropriate.
• Can be used as a flashcard exercise.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Example 3: A linear lesson
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Learner Survey
• An online survey was conducted with learners
to gather feedback on the use of Moodle
lessons in their modules.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Learner Survey Results
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Benefits for learners
• It aids with SDL because it is interactive and the
score attained by the learner can be designed
by the lecturer, to count towards the final
assessment mark.
• Feedback is provided within the lesson, case
study, scenario or simulation where
appropriate, to give pointers to learners as they
progress through it.
• The lesson, case study, scenario or simulation
can be taken a number of times for knowledge
and understanding reinforcement by the
learner.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Benefits for learners
• The lesson, case study, scenario or simulation
can be undertaken off-campus at any time as
they are online.
• Lessons, case studies, scenarios or simulations
can be provided in any discipline or subject
(Engineering, Science, Business, Humanities)
as the Moodle lesson is very flexible.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Conclusions and findings
• The lesson activity in Moodle is an excellent
activity for presenting material to learners
because they are ‘led’ through it in a very
structured and interactive manner.
• The lesson may be used to ‘package’ all types
of OERs in all formats including audio, video,
animations, text and images.
• Feedback may be provided at all points in the
lesson.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Conclusions and findings
• Decision making is easily incorporated into a
lesson using ‘jumps’ within the lesson.
• Various question types are provided within
the lesson including Multiple Choice,
True/False, Short Answer, Numerical,
Matching and Essay thus giving wide variety in
assessment.
• Short lessons of 15 to 30 minutes duration
seem to work best in order to keep learners
engaged and avoid loss of concentration.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Conclusions and findings
• The planning and development time is
considerable for a single lesson, particularly if
it involves decision making.
• A flowchart is recommended for planning a
decision making lesson.
• Some prior experience with Moodle is
desirable as it takes time to become familiar
with the technicalities of the lesson interface.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Conclusions and findings
• The Moodle lesson activity provides a very
flexible method of creating SDL resources for
teaching and learning.
• Some concerns over Moodle 2.0: will existing
lessons be importable to Moodle 2.0?
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Web information and resources
• Athlone Institute of Technology: http://www.ait.ie/
• Learning & Teaching Unit, AIT
• http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/learningandteac
hing/
• National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching
and Learning: http://www.nairtl.ie/
• National Digital Learning Repository:
http://www.ndlr.ie/
• My resources on the NDLR:
https://dspace.ndlr.ie/jspui/browse?type=author&sort
_by=1&order=ASC&rpp=20&etal=1&value=O%27Rourke%2C+Michael&offset=0
• YouTube tutorial on creating a Moodle lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq3das503-Q
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Thank you!
• Any questions?
• Email: miorourke@ait.ie
Michael O’Rourke, AIT
Acknowledgements
• Special thanks to NAIRTL, UCC for funding this
project.
Michael O’Rourke, AIT