Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) provides a structured environment in which a teacher makes decisions on how, when and what will be learned while everything can be monitored and controlled. However, Moodle 2.0 is developed as an integral part of the Web 2.0 environment. Moodle now supports integration with external repositories of content such as Alfresco, Amazon S3, Box.net, File system on Server, Flickr, Google Docs, Mahara, MERLOT, Picasa, Remote Moodle sites, WebDAV servers, Wikimedia, YouTube, and with external Blogs and Google Application (Moodle.org, Repository Support, 2010).
VLE vs. LMSSince Moodle 2.0 is much more than a Learning Management System (as it was during Web 1.0), the term Virtual Learning Environment is used more and more (Jandrić, 2008). Mahara, an open source ePortfolio and social-networking Web application already used by a few veterinary schools is a new addition to the Moodle family. It provides users with tools to create and maintain a digital portfolio of their learning since their first pre-veterinary courses to advanced achievements in their veterinary careers. Mahara also has social-networking features so users can interact with each other, school, employers and recruiters. Mahara can be fully integrated with a Moodle single-sign-on system. Therefore, we can have one Mahara installation per each school, or all institutions can share the same Mahara installation.
In addition to reflective learning and social networking, Mahara provides teachers with tools to monitor and guide students’ intra- and extra-curricular activities. Also, with Mahara, recruiters can look for and attract the most appropriate candidates and project leaders to be the most suitable partners.
Personal Learning Environment
LMS and PLE. Moodle’s flexibility, networking capability and possibility to integrate with almost all major Web 2.0 applications is a strong framework for a Personal Learning Environment (PLE). Personal Learning Environment is a concept different than LMS. It is almost 100 percent in control of a student. A student makes decisions on when, how and what will be learned; a student creates new content.
Perfect combination. Although different, LMS and PLE make a perfect combination. They provide us with the possibility to combine well-structured, well-guided educational activities in a Moodle course with the benefits of a Personal Learning Environment and Web 2.0.
Super-productive Vet 2.0. PLE and Web 2.0 is a framework that supports “mass contribution model: a state wherein we all play a role in both creating and consuming everything" (Hodgins, 2007). Such mass contribution model my help us achieve “the immense scale that future learning demands.”
Case Studies
-
VetEd.Net – What is possible now?Teachers’ perspective is described in the Veterinary Education Consortium example, so in this case study, we will be focused on benefits students can gain from this framework. Student Jessica. ...Full Story
-
WikiVet.NetWikiVet.Net is a Web site and Community of Practice developed by MediaWiki--the same software as Wikipedia but focused solely on veterinary medicine and with a more robust quality control system (medev.ac.uk,...Full Story
-
The Open University UK: creating a win-win situation by sharing code and contentThe Open University (OU) UK, one of world's largest distance-learning universities (200,000-plus students) started implementing Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during 2005. Moodle was chosen as...Full Story