Moodle is a learning program which I have used in the past which is used in a number of different educational establishments including schools, colleges and universities such as Sunderland College and Lancaster University. My review will be based upon the point of view of a student using the website as part of their education.

How it Works

Moodle works in a number of different ways to for-fill its primary function of helping each student with their education whilst at school/college or university. Moodle can be accessed both internally and external of the educational establishment via the internet. Firstly it gives access to a variety of educational materials posted for the students by their lectures either in the form of written documents worksheets, videos and assignments. Furthermore helpful information can be accessed on Moodle which does not fall into the academic category. For example, the contact details of their lectures, how to use Moodle effectively as well as more general information such as that regarding sexual health and health and safety. Students must first log in using their own personal log in details in order to access the educational material which the site contains. The site is constructed of a series of hyper linked ‘buttons’ to get the area which you need. These are either on the homepage which automatically opens when logged in or the navigation bar.

Also, Moodle gives access to other sites such as proportal where students can receive feedback from assessments and tests which have been submitted as well as allowing them to complete a diary of extracurricular activities. In conjunction with this, it allows smart targets to be produced by either there lecturers or themselves enabling them to understand what needs to be done in order to improve. This therefore helps them achieve in this particular stage of the students education.

 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages

Moodle gives student access to a number of different resources provided. Like blackboard, this is a web based site which needs to be connected to the internet in order to operate. This will means that the site cannot be accessed without access to an internet connection. However, in this point in time, the internet is widely available meaning this does not have a major effect on the accessibility of the site as the vast majority of people have an internet connection within their homes. Failing this internet access is usually available in the establishment where the student studies, this is the place where the student will mostly use the Moodle site through out there study. This therefore means that this is not a catastrophic negative point regarding Moodle.

On the other hand, this site is very secure. This site needs to be logged on with the student’s specific username and password in order to access the data and resources on the Moodle site. This is exceptionally useful for schools and for venerable adults as this helps keep their information such as exam and test results confidential from others. This helps follow the data protection act.  The password which is created for this is renewed frequently to ensure that security of the site is constantly at a high level. This reduces the risk of an individual accessing another’s Moodle account. This is an extra security feature which the majority of learning platforms do not have. For example, blackboard does not have this feature.

Another positive aspect is that Moodle can be linked to a number of different other sites such as Proportal. This means that the range of roles which Moodle carries out is increased significantly. This means that Moodle can indirectly help a student’s education by linking to other software and for fill roles which Moodle on its own could not carry out.  For example, students can keep a record of all of the assignments and input smart targets which will help them to achieve these targets on proportal. This therefore means that the student will be more successful due to have a better understanding regarding what they personally need to do in order to improve further. On the other hand, this can have a lengthy login process due to needing to log into Moodle and then into the additional site. However, in my opinion, this is a small inconvenience for the extra security of confidential information.

Moodle also allows students to directly contact there lecturers/teachers at any time through email or a forum. This means that they are able to get help when working outside of the class room meaning they are more likely to succeed on the course with they are doing. Forums also allow a number students to discuss related subjects meaning that a person with strengths in one area of the criteria can give aid to those who are weaker. This means that those with the weakness are more likely to understand the subject matter as well as helping those providing the aid. Going over the material with others is a good revision technique for exams/tests.

A negative to Moodle as it can only be accessed via a browser unlike other learning platforms such as black board. Blackboard can be accessed via an app on the majority of smart phones on the market. This means that the site can be used on the go outside of the classroom and their homes. Also, this increases the accessibility of the information which the site contains. In my opinion, without this Moodle is not reaching its full potential due to its accessibility letting it down.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I think that Moodle is a very good site for those who are studying as it gives access to a whole world of information provided by various sources allowing them to learn and achieve on the course they are doing as well as general information regarding health and safety and the like. I feel that this software has helped me achieve in the past. However, due to the age in which we live where smart phones and similar technology are used more frequently that computers. This therefore means that if this program had an app, it would be significantly more useful as well increase the positive effect which it has one the students using it. However, on the whole I feel that using this site is very beneficial for those looking to increase their knowledge and therefore I would recommend this to other people to use as a main part of their education.

Sunderland College. (2016). Home Page. Available: http://moodle.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/?. Last accessed 16/11/16.

Sunderland College. (2016). Proportal Log In . Available: http://edata.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/ProPortal/_CCC/Authentication/CCCLogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fproportal. Last accessed 16/11/16.

Gareth J Barnard . (2016). Welcome to Moodle: Help and Assistance. Available: http://moodle.bournville.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=101900&chapterid=5976. Last accessed 10/11/16.

Sunderland College. (2016). Home Page. Available: http://moodle.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/. Last accessed 16/11/16.