The University has asked faculty members to voluntarily switch to Moodle, a course management system that will permanently replace Semester Book and Blackboard by spring 2009.
Moodle – Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment – will have combined benefits of both Semester Book and Blackboard, which have been used by the University for the past six years. Sheri Thompson, informational technology planning and communications officer, said neither Semester Book nor Blackboard is “getting the job done.” “It’s more effective as well as cost-efficient to switch to one system that combines both programs with additional benefits,” Thompson said. A chat function is a feature of Moodle that allows professors to be more available during office hours. According to the GROK informational Web site, the chat function could also be used in place of class meetings on occasions. Sarah Swinney, mass communication sophomore, said the chat could be useful when students have class during a professor’s office hours. “If a professor can’t make their office hours, they could still be available for students on spot,” Swinney said. Faculty members will also have the ability to view student activities within Moodle. A professor, for example, can monitor if a student reads a posted assignment, as well as, how long the student’s assignment is in use. “That function could show the professor who actually opened an assignment,” said Rebecca Erwin, mass communication sophomore. “However, a student could just keep the document open and still not read it.” Additional features of Moodle include a blog menu that will allow students to post writings for others to view. A student can create tags and control who has access to their blog. The blog function is accompanied by Facebook.com-like qualities, such as a personal student profile with a picture option. But both Swinney and Erwin said they would not use the blog or personal profile function. “I’ll stick to Facebook for that,” Swinney said. “Besides, I’m not much of a blogger.” “Moodle is used around the world and translated into 70 different languages,” Thompson said. “It’s a truly dynamic open source community with enhanced services.”
—-Contact Emily Stuart at [email protected]