Should I change the name of the Readings module to Resources?
(See the poll on this subject here: http://moodle.com/mod/choice/view.php?id=39)
Should it be an admin option? A teacher option?
I Think Resources (for developing content) will be more explicit. Also, It have to be a Teacher module
Sorry, Jairo, what I meant was: should the teacher be able to choose what the Readings/Resources module is called in their own course?
And if so, should they be able to choose what ALL the modules are called (forums, journals, choices, assignments etc)? Or will this just lead to confusion?
So far the vote is Readings 4, Resources 10.
And if so, should they be able to choose what ALL the modules are called (forums, journals, choices, assignments etc)? Or will this just lead to confusion?
So far the vote is Readings 4, Resources 10.
At first glance it looks elegant, but we did it (in another system) and it became a disaster: every teacher created new names for the menu options, to give an example: they became teachers, tutors, mentors, guides, managers, etc (Yes you have this option also in your course...)
We decided to allow the admin of a faculty/university to set the names, after the educational council decided which ROLES should get which NAMES: it became a dropdownbox: a teacher could choose his NAME, accepting the expected rolebehavior in the description.
With homework delivery buttons we had the same experience.. Students do not know what they can expect behind a button with a new name, so they have to look behind all these new buttons in all these different courses and start to complain.
I personaly would use resources. I rarely post word files. I mostly post Access and Excel files that my students use to complete projects. Readings has been confusing them, since they don't know where to look for the files.
Readings rounds better to me and is clearer I think. It is something you have to do in order do get the work done.
- With many parts of the course design, on the one hand it would be great if the teacher/admin could choose their own label for components, but of course we need a common language for using/supporting/developing software, so think about that first (I'm sure Mr. D has).
- Having said that, I'd personally like the term "library" or "bookshelf" or "homework" or something that more explicitly conveys the idea of a pile of stuff for the learner to check out and get info from. Nothing personal, but I've been seeing the word "resources" used in the worst of buzzwordly ways, with meanings that include natural gas, pension funds, and personal social networks.
- Back to my first point--why not simply "file storage area"?
- Then, the ability to specifically designate or assign the readings/resources/files (with dates and tracking if read, etc) could be a separate feature/zone
...or am I missing the point? (I've gotta try this out a little more ; )
- Having said that, I'd personally like the term "library" or "bookshelf" or "homework" or something that more explicitly conveys the idea of a pile of stuff for the learner to check out and get info from. Nothing personal, but I've been seeing the word "resources" used in the worst of buzzwordly ways, with meanings that include natural gas, pension funds, and personal social networks.
- Back to my first point--why not simply "file storage area"?
- Then, the ability to specifically designate or assign the readings/resources/files (with dates and tracking if read, etc) could be a separate feature/zone
...or am I missing the point? (I've gotta try this out a little more ; )
Thanks for making that explicit - yes, firstly I'm mostly talking about the default name of the module itself, the word that will appear in the code, databases and URLs. It has to be something. Currently the vote is 6-13 in favour of changing it from "reading" to "resource".
Secondly, I would like to use the same word as the default name of the module as shown within the web page interface in the English version. ie "Resources".
Thirdly, there is a future possibility teachers could redefine the word as used within the web page interface (but not the code or URLs).
Thanks for keeping the thinking going!
Secondly, I would like to use the same word as the default name of the module as shown within the web page interface in the English version. ie "Resources".
Thirdly, there is a future possibility teachers could redefine the word as used within the web page interface (but not the code or URLs).
Thanks for keeping the thinking going!
Hmm ... The problem with "library" or "bookshelf" or "homework" is that these are all too specific to cover the many uses of this module. The good thing is that even now you can name your readings/resources to include these words if you want, and that's how they'll appear anywhere they're shown.
Even "files" is too specific (resources can include off-site web pages or in fact anything accessible using a URL - "Universal Resource Locator")
Another option is "content" but like you with "resources" I think this word is overused and loaded with other meanings which are irrelevant to students.
I'm started to feel more sure about the change to "resource" ... if things go well I'll probably make the change in 1.0.6.
Even "files" is too specific (resources can include off-site web pages or in fact anything accessible using a URL - "Universal Resource Locator")
Another option is "content" but like you with "resources" I think this word is overused and loaded with other meanings which are irrelevant to students.
I'm started to feel more sure about the change to "resource" ... if things go well I'll probably make the change in 1.0.6.
In reply to Martin Dougiamas
Name change from reading -> resource has been done
by Martin Dougiamas -
Just to follow up, I've weighed up all the support and followed through the module name change.
(It's in CVS and you can see it on this site already)
The module will be part of 1.0.6 (due next week sometime I hope).
Cheers,
Martin
(It's in CVS and you can see it on this site already)
The module will be part of 1.0.6 (due next week sometime I hope).
Cheers,
Martin
file storage area restricts storage to files: it is a technical view on resources.
I would prefer just resources, allowing me to store all kind of annotated resources: Word, excel, powerpoint, webpages, jpg's and all the other mime-files. Storing should be organised on a domain-topic base.
Hi, Ger.
You're seven months late for this discussion!
As you can see, the module is now called "resource".
You're seven months late for this discussion!
As you can see, the module is now called "resource".
Yes I saw, but the half hour was already over: I did try to visit as many threads as possible; a new personal record.
But how about that free naming of the function of teacher and student? Why not leaving it to the manager of the language-file?
I'm pretty sure there are more sites that prefer the control of naming to be in the teacher's hands, however, this could easily be added as admin configuration options for sites who wished to be more restrictive eg "allow teachers to name their own roles" and "allow teachers to define name for 'participants' "
I suggest filing a feature request on http://moodle.org/bugs
I suggest filing a feature request on http://moodle.org/bugs
Thanks for changing the name to "Resources". Much easier to understand that what the student will find here are "resources" to assist their learning.
My preference is to keep the name (Resources) consistent and not allow the individual instructor to customize. In this way, the student has an easier time learning how to navigate and locate across several courses.
My preference is to keep the name (Resources) consistent and not allow the individual instructor to customize. In this way, the student has an easier time learning how to navigate and locate across several courses.