Setup of course structure

Setup of course structure

由James Anthony發表於
Number of replies: 5
Hi All,
I am about to setup a moodle site for my Institute and would appreciate some advice before I get too far into the project. We are using the "Key to School" site, so I don't know what version of moodle it is, however I for my question I don't think it will be relevant.

The structure of the course is as follows:

SCHOOL (TOP)

COMPUTING (CATEGORY) This is a one off unit which can be done anytime during the first year (English)

ENGLISH (CATEGORY) This is the first year of the award and has 4 courses, 5 if you include the computing.
Level 1 (COURSE)
Level 2 (COURSE)
Level 3 (COURSE)
Level 4 (COURSE)

BUSINESS (CATEGORY) This is the 2nd and 3rd years of the award and contains 16 courses taken over 4 semesters. They are all of the same level therefore can be arranged in any order.

ADVANCED (CATEGORY) Yet to be structured...

There are 2 intakes of students each year (Spring and Fall), resulting in 5 independent groups of students at any one time.

Now to my Question(s)

Am I using the simplest method of controlling students by adding a prefix to indicate the enrolment period, thus allowing me to filter a little easier.
eg. S2010_Name, F2010_Name, S2011_Name ....

As the structure of the courses will remain constant, only updating of content, how can I overcome the date structure (Number of weeks). is it possible to have open ended courses and if so what problems can it create.

If anyone has suggestions, I would appreciate it very much.

Regards.

James.

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In reply to James Anthony

Re: Setup of course structure

由Mary Cooch發表於
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Hi - this is a very quick reply sorry as I really should be up and out somewhere else -but- re the "date structure" - if you go to site admin on the frong page and then >course>course default settings you can change the default course format to topics so that might be more suitable for you.
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In reply to James Anthony

Re: Setup of course structure

由Colin Fraser發表於
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Hi James, with either a weekly or topic structure you can add to it as you go, but the topic structure tends to allow a great deal more flexibility of delivery and removes the pressures of a time schedule that both you as the Teacher and the students might feel compelled to try and stick to. All you need do is to extend the number of topics/weeks in the course settings.

Using the topics allows you to add/delete/show/hide topics due to relevancy, accuracy/inaccuracy, topicality or any one of a number of other factors.

You may want to consider using groups in the course settings, instead of using a prefix for each student. The course Group mode is set to Separate Groups, and as each enrolment occurs they can be placed into a group, the name of the group can identify whatever demarcation you require. The added benefit is that you have the option of viewing the course as overall enrolments, that is everyone, or you can set a group to view which excludes everyone not a member of whatever group you wish to view, but students cannot see outside their own group. An additional benefit is you do not have to edit their enrolment details - allowing more time for other things.

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In reply to Colin Fraser

Re: Setup of course structure

由James Anthony發表於
Hi Colin,

Thanks again for your help.

I used the prefix in my previous moodle trial, simply because my students are Vietnamese and the western teachers find it very difficult to easily recognise the students names. The students use a western "nick" name of their choice, so we often have multiple occurrences of the same name with 180 students over six classes each intake. I found it easier to give them a class and intake code before I bulk enroll them. I then filter on the class code and make each class a group, we can then create smaller groups for project work if required.

Having read your comments, I will look more closely at the group option to see if I can work out another way. As often happens in IT the deadline is very tight, I leave Viet Nam on the 15 of this month and would like to get them started with a model which works for them, so simple is better at this point.

If I can tap your brain again. I have read with interest the discourse regarding metacourses (or should that be metadiscourse) and like many I keep finding myself going round in circles. I think I understand the principles of the metacourse, however I would like to piggy back from 1 level to the next, for example.

In the structure I described earlier, we have a 4 year award, the first year has 5 courses, that is easy, I can make computing a standard course and Levels 1 - 4 metacouses off that. When the students pass level 4 they can go on to the Business section which has 16 courses and from there they move on to the Advanced section.

Is there some way of automatically enrolling the students from the level 4 metacourse into the 16 courses in Business? Metametacourses!!! big grin.

I will have to buy you a coffee when I get back to Adelaide in February.

See you mate.

James.
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In reply to James Anthony

Re: Setup of course structure

由Colin Fraser發表於
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The same principle applies. How about one "child" course for enrollments and every metacourse draws their enrolments from that one course. Don't know about automating the process outside associating the metacourse with the child course. BTW, changing enrolments, eg adding, during the term are reflected in both the child and meta courses. The image below might explain it a bit better or rather, it partly shows what I think you might be after.

Unenrolling would be simple as well, inasmuch as you only have to disassociate that child course from the metacourse. The course work is actually preserved, so if anyone needs to go back a level then they can do so with their existing course work intact. Anyone drops out, then their enrolment ceases, but their course work is retained in backups. They re-enrol, their course work can be restored.

The beauty of it is that next year, you repeat the same process, create a course with nothing but enrolments and associate it with the courses you want to associate it with. A few clicks can do this, as long as all enrolments are in each child course. There need not be any overlap btw... Damn, the business over 4 semesters, which makes it 2011 to 2012 and the advanced modules will be 2013. Oh well, the principle is the same.. One enrolment process/course and all metacourses get their enrolments from that.

The language around metacourses sucks badly..big grin makes it confusing.

Let me know when for coffee...wink
附件 jamescourse.gif
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