Using Moodle - A webpage by Monash University to teach their staff to use Moodle

This is a great website with regard to an educational organisation that has created an easy to navigate webpage for their staff. The page has links to Moodle video and user guides that have been separated into categories.

The page is accessible via the following link: http://www.vle.monash.edu/supporttraining/learnbytech/moodle/index.html

Using Mind Mapping software to create a StoryBoard for e-Learning content

Today I completed some research to try and find a MindMapping desktop software that is compatible with my iThoughts HD app that works on my iPhone, iPad and iPad mini.

I also wanted to find a way to allow both myself and others to collaborate and add to these MindMaps and to have the content sync back to a cloud service.

The following is what I found.

Freemind Mind Mapping software

Freemind is open source MindMapping software that is available from the following location:

http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download#Step-by-step_overview

If you are familiar with Mind Mapping software you will find this program easy to use. And free is just fantastic, especially when comparing to other programs that are approximately USD $199 per user licence. The shot below shows a very quick MindMap that I started to play with.

If you are using a Mac on OSX 10.8 you may receive an error message when trying to run the DMG installer files. Instructions to fix this is noted below.

OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) reports that the FreeMind download is damaged.

We found out the problem is rather security related (checksum or certificate could not be verified). Here is the solution:

• System preferences > Security & Privacy > Allow applications from anywhere.
• Open Freemind.
• Change the security & privacy back to its original setting.
• Freemind will always open once you've approved it the first time. 

To add Mind Maps created in iThoughts HD to sync to Freemind 

I followed the instructions available at the following website:

http://www.ithoughts.co.uk/iThoughtsHD/TransferCloud.html

There is a video on how to do this also. Please watch the following video:

To add Mind Maps from FreeMind to iThoughts HD to sync

1. In FreeMind choose File>Save As and save the file to your chosen Dropbox folder. (I suggest using the folder created in the previous steps). Allow your Dropbox files the time to Sync.
2. On you mobile device open your Dropbox account via the app or the web. Locate the file that you saved to your chosen folder and select it. Right click the file and choose to either download or open with. Choose iThoughts HD to open the file.

Now that I have synced the MindMaps to my Dropbox account, we will utilise the MindMaps to create the concepts, tasks and storyboard ideas relevant to creating course and unit specific content.

10 hot tips for MOOCer's

In this blog post by the e-Learning provocateur, Ryan Tracey, he writes about his experiences in completing an online MOOC course. Ryan describes how a MOOC can feel like being a small ship navigating the vast open sea. To this end, this blog post identifies his top 10 tips to completing a MOOC successfully.

You may view the post here: http://ryan2point0.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/10-hot-tips-for-moocers/

E-learning on WordPress made easy

This is a very comprehensive post on how to set up an e-Learning course using WordPress. A great alternative for those looking to create an LMS for free or for next-to-nothing.

Find out more here: http://chrislema.com/e-learning-on-wordpress-made-easy/

Moodle movie tutorials by English Raven

This weblog is an excellent example of free Moodle tutorials that are being created by Moodle expert and user Jason Renshaw. Check out his weblog at: http://jasonrenshaw.typepad.com/jason_renshaws_web_log/moodle-tutorials-from-english-raven.html

Jason does a great job of introducing each subject and then provides detailed videos on how to implement the subject matter within Moodle. The following video is an example of just one of the videos that he includes within his weblog - Using the Book module within Moodle. I suggest you have a look at this site and the work that Jason is doing!

Moodle Course formats

This blog post is great for reviewing and considering the different course formats that could be utilised within Moodle. Have a look at the link http://www.moodlenews.com/collections/course-formats/ to identify the benefits and behaviours of different formats.

Some modern Moodle Themes to consider

The following is a list of Moodle themes that I have been exposed to via different forums and the Melbourne Moodle Users Group. Some of these themes may interest those looking for a new modern format in Moodle.

 

Aardvark

https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=theme_aardvark

Cloudyday

https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=theme_cloudyday 
 

 

Moodlebook (Emulates the look and feel of Facebook)

https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=theme_moodlebook 
 

 

Rocket

https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=theme_rocket
 

Designing aesthetically pleasing Moodle courses

This blog post is great for considering how to design and implement aesthetically pleasing Moodle courses. To view the blog and the associated videos and instructions, navigate to the following link:
http://opensource.com/education/12/1/designing-aesthetically-pleasing-moodle-courses