THE PERFECT MARRIAGE

MOODLE & GOOGLE APPS

Cheryl Schaefer, TeacherCarrollton High School

Saginaw, MI

www.cherylfschaefer.net

• 2003 - 2004: course originates with college bound seniors

• 2006 - 2007: some juniors added to rosters

• 2008 - 2009: sophomores and an autistic student are added to rosters

• 2009 - 2010: course rosters include general education students in grades 9-12 as well as special education students

A brief history of change

ONLINE RESEARCH DEMOGRAPHICS

•One pregnant student: meeting a need

•Organization!•Organization!•Organization!

Why Moodle?

IN THE BEGINNING

• Large age range• Reading levels: 2nd grade – college•Maturity levels• Academic abilities

Bottom LineThe old model was

not working!

Know your students

THE NEED FOR CHANGE

A NEW WAY OF VIEWING THE OLD FAMILIAR MODEL

• Michigan State: Summer of 2010 MAET Cohort

• Romina Jamieson-Proctor: University of Southern Queensland

• Looked great• Worked great• Something still missing

A NEW LOOK: A BIG DIFFERENCE

ENTER GOOGLE APPS: THE MISSING ORGANIZATIONAL LINK

• Calendar: Time management•Documents: Collaboration• Form: Surveys and self evaluations•Mail: Communication• Presentation: Organizing lessons

RESOURCE WEBPAGE LINKS TO GOOGLE PRESENTATION

WHY JING?

• Tutorials• Listening & reading links• It’s FREE!

SUMMING IT ALL UP

1. The new picture model has made it easier for all students to use the Moodle site. There are less distractions and fewer places to get lost.

2. When students are absent I email the Unit and lesson we studied. Missed work is completed in fewer days.

3. Students who don’t read well feel comfortable listening & reading. Some students who read very well also prefer to listen & read.

4. The new format keeps me organized & on task.5. Accommodations can be made in a more private

manner. This has made a difference in behavior & performance.

RESOURCES

• Jing: Jing is free screencast and screenshot software from TechSmith.

• Cool Text: Use Cool Text to make banners and buttons for your Moodle site.

• Moodle: Join the world wide Moodle community.• Michigan Moodle Users Listserv: If you’re

having Moodle problems or just have questions, someone on the MMU Listserv always has an answer or solution.

• Cheryl Schaefer: Send me an email if you have any questions.

• Notes & Tutorials: This presentation along with how to tutorials can be accessed at my website.