Teaching with Moodle

Hi Doug,
Ah, the whole digital divide stuff...
Of course home internet access will vary from school to school, but a fortnight ago's BECTA research conference, one of the presenters quoted 90% homes with school age children had computers at home, often bought to help the children with their school work, so it's perhaps no longer quite so much of an issue. Furthermore, moodle runs fine over dial-up so there's not any need for broadband, unless you're contemplating making flash movies of the whiteboard and lesson audio available...
At present, we:

• make access to computers available after school in 'homework room', plus additional access if required before school or at lunch time;
• provide printed copies of the moodle quizzes for any who ask;
• have thought about loaning redudandant machines to pupils without computers - linux is ideal here, as one wouldn't need to worry about licencing issues, but no-one in the present moodle cohorts is in this position at my place.
  

Others are exploring giving/loaning pupils pdas and providing some sort of ubiquitous wireless connectivity, (no seriously, they are!), and there are internet PCs available in libraries if push comes to shove.
Before we went down the moodle route, I sounded out the parents about whether they'd have the kit at home for it, and they were all very positive. The only gripes we've had is from those who were on pay as you go deals, but I think they've since switched over...

Hi Doug & Miles,

Just to add to this subject, one that's close to my heart, coming from a poor family myself. Avoiding using learning technologies means that the students you have who don't have technologically adept parents, PC's and/or broadband will miss out on a crucial opportunity to develop eLiteracy and information skills. Don't disadvantage them further!

Firstly, schools should have some kind of loan scheme in place - it doesn't cost a fortune to have a couple of laptops available for emergencies of all kinds. Secondly, kids should be making use of their local libraries - the majority of these have bookable or drop in broadband facilities. It's not ideal but it's useful, and a good environment to work in. Thirdly - have you checked out the governments recently published Digital Strategy? It clearly outlines several plans to make sure that all UK secondary school children have home access to computers, with a couple of the schemes targeting poorer schools/learners.

Hope this helps convince you to go ahead! Josie.

Hi Doug,

I believe that the Internet has very important role in the Education.

I used the Internet and particular the JANET System when I was doing my research degree. My University located at that time in Staffordshire and I was living and working in Birmingham. So I obtained a permission from one of Birmingham Universities to use their Internet (i.e. JANET System) and I contacted my University at Staffordshire from my hometown Birmingham. I saved in this way time for travelling to Staffordshire and also fares. In 1990, I could not afford to buy a PC and the cost of connection to the Internet was expensive too.

Nowadays, the students at the schools find the Internet very exciting and I am definitely sure that those students will benefit in great deal from using Moodle as extra learning instrument in their education.

There is still a problem: Although the Internet and PC became very cheap there will be many students will find Internet and PC unaffordable. This is especially in the inner city schools. The Solution: I hope the government of the UK looks into Homework Clubs very seriously indeed and provides these clubs with more PCs and above all with qualify instructors. So these instructors can give to those students who join the clubs with help and advice.