Transition
to Moodle
Beginning this fall (2010), Chicago
State University will be saying "goodbye" to Blackboard
and "hello" to our new course management system: Moodle.
All courses will only be supported through Moodle. Blackboard
will no longer be active.
The following information will answer your questions regarding
this transition:
WHAT
IS MOODLE
Moodle is an open sourced e-learning software system that
provides all the same functionality as Blackboard with additional
features such as certificates, wikis, blogs, etc. Moodle
has a constructivist and social constructionist approach
to education, emphasizing the ability of students to be
able to assist in the creation of knowledge. It supports
an outcomes-oriented learning environment (Wikipedia, 2010).
This system is being widely used and adopted around the
world. Currently over 216 countries and 38 million people
are using Moodle.
WHY
ARE WE MOVING TO MOODLE
The move to Moodle was prompted by cost considerations,
support systems, and pedagogical advantages. Chicago State
University is currently spending well over $150K to license
Blackboard. Moodle is available to CSU at nearly one-sixth
of the cost. This cost savings will provide opportunities
for CSU to reallocate funding to faculty incentives, training,
and other technology integrations to support the teaching
and learning endeavors.
In addition, the level and quality of support received through
Blackboard did not meet with the expectations and requirements
needed by CSU. We have been pleased to receive a much higher
level of support through our new vendor.
Finally, Moodle offers faculty and instructors flexibility
in how they choose to present their courses and engage their
students. Many new features are available to faculty and
encourage students to engage directly with the content of
their courses.
MOODLE
SUPPORT AND TRAINING OPTIONS
The Office of eLearning will provide faculty and students
a variety of support and training options.
Workshops - The department of
eLearning is hosting Moodle Conversion and Introduction
to Moodle workshops for faculty using Moodle this Fall 2010.
Sign
up here for
your workshop.
Drop in Support – Faculty and
students are able to drop in to receive support on Moodle
during regular business hours in LIB318.
Moodle Guides and Handouts
Blackboard to Moodle Conversion Instructions
Quick Guide to Setup and Documents
Quick Guide to Assignments
How to Configure and Use the Gradebook
Moodle Tutorials
New Jersey Science and Technology Tutorials (worth taking a look at)
MOODLE
COMMUNICATION PIECES
Moodle Flyer
Moodle
Transition Email - Part I: Moving to Moodle
Moodle Transition Email - Part II: Helping Students
Moodle Transition Email - Part III: Technical Updates
Moodle Transition Email - Part IV: School is in Session
Moodle Transition Email - Part V: On the Front Line
Moodle Transition Email - Part VI: Updates and Fixes
Moodle Transition Email - Part VIII: Going, Going, GONE!
Moodle Transiton Email - Part IX: In the Process
Moodle Transition Email - Intercession and Moodle
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