Kompiuterinių mokymo programų analizė ir jų instaliavimas sistemos Moodle pavyzdžiu

Abstract

The presented work discusses and compares these means of learning: the Content Management System and Distant Learning Environment. In the same way the means called MOODLE is studied with great attention in order to discover its opportunities, structure and working principles. http://MOODLE.org/ MOODLE – Modular Object Orentiered Dynamic Learning Environment MOODLE- is based on the theory of Social Constructivism and, from the pedagogical point of view, is considered to be the most flexible means of virtual learning. It approaches both distant learning and a task presentation for those who study in a computer classroom (not exactly Computer Studies). They are such systems as PHP and MySQL (some others, e.g. DB), which are oriented on the main technological standards (for instance, LDAP – users system, SCORM – presentation of learning material). The course is considered to be enough flexible, thus it might be presented in three ways: v Weekly (all the lectures are hold on time, like in the traditional timetable model); v According to the list of topics (topics are taught in consecutive order, it is possible to determine time of learning. However they are not so strict as in a weekly course model); v Social (based on discussions). Also it is worth to mention that there are plenty of various activities. The following ones are used the most often: (a) Lecture; (b) Individual task; (c) Critical estimation of the colleagues (Workshop); (d) Discussions (synchronous and asynchronous); (e) Tests (various questions are especially useful); (f) Dictionaries or reference books; (g) Wiki- a special means for creation/formulation of basic knowledge. In fact, an excellent example of this means is wikipedia.org- the greatest Internet encyclopedia. Different activities, depending on their character, must be evaluated according to these principles: v In tests marks are counted automatically; v Individual tasks are estimated by the teacher; v In co-operative kind of work students evaluate each other. Besides, all the marks/estimations are kept in the electronic diary. In that case it is possible to transfer the diary of the course to Excel. It is equally important to admit that all the users are divided into four main groups: · Administration; · Teachers/creators o the course; · Students; · Guests. Afterwards it is necessary to mention that the recordings about people who use the system are collected (logs).It helps the teacher to supervise the students actions. The system requires a little of administration work. Using MOODLE-a visual htlm editor - the teachers themselves might create various tasks or activities. Furthermore, intuitive connection is another way of the course organization, specifically teaching process. There is a Help Button almost at everybody’s control field. As a matter of fact it available to transfer a course from one server to another performing an uncomplicated procedure. Also there is an opportunity to import some tests from other different distant learning systems (e.g. BlackBoard) or straight from specially prepared textual files. These facts broaden sphere of MOODLE. Thanks to active work of MOODLE users in some characteristics MOODLE is in conformity with such commercial systems as WebCT or BlackBoard. In March 2005 they registered 3075 sites from 105 countries using MOODLE. Finally it is remarkable to admit that MOODLE has been properly translated into the Lithuanian language.