Action research with moodle lms

Many theories have pinpointed advantages and disadvantages surrounding the use of technology as a means of instruction.  Among the theorists is Alfred Bork who wrote a series titled interactive learning; a revision was written 20 years after the oroginal. Through the study of his writings, I have gained knowledge as to how computer usage may impact my pedagogical approach and delivery of instruction. In this reflection I will discuss the theory and indicate how my use of the computer intersects with Bork’s principals and how they have affected my use of computers in the classroom. 
Alfred Bork predicted that by the year 2000 the interactive use of computers would be the major way of learning at all levels, and in almost all subject areas (Bork, 1980).  In his article, he contends that the “new student” (older, poorer, and blacker) and the pressure for reduced cost of education will combine with the rise of computers as an inexpensive and effective teaching device, to bring about tremendous changes in our instructional institutions.  He points out that there are eleven modes in which computers can be used; each having its own unique advantages.   They are: 

• Interactive learning – students are participants in the learning process rather than spectators. 
  

 

• Individualization – a student who does not learn with a particular approach can be presented with alternate learning materials.  The learning experience for each student can be unique, tailored to the needs, desires, and moods of each student. 
  

 

• Experience – the computer can create worlds which are not available in convenient forms for the students to play with and explore the possibilities. 
  

 

• Intellectual tool – programming can often lead to new and powerful ways of approaching a subject matter. 
  

 

• Student control of pacing – Not all students learn in the same way or at the same speed.  The computer allows students to learn or receive remediation at a speed in which they can handle; this support can lead to mastery and assists slower students to catch up to the mainstream. 
  

 

• Time and sequence control – related to the student’s ability to be able to control movement through the material is the ability to control the sequence of flow of material within a learning sequence and to control timing of presentation. 
  

 

• Student control over content – the computer can provide a great variety of interactive learning experiences, and can provide management capabilities, and a variety of choices. 
  

 

• Testing as a learning mode – allows all students to learn the same high degree of achievement regardless of the time period – similar to mastery learning. 
  

 

• Management – the computer can maintain class records, feedback can be provided to both teachers and students as to what is happening, what problems are developing, and which students need aid. 
  

 

• Communication – computers provide the use of e-mail which can increase the communication between teacher and student. 
  

 

• Personal factors – the computer has no prejudices; some students may prefer to deal with the learning material in an impersonal way, rather than to come into the faculty member’s office. 
  

 
Although Bork’s prediction has not become a reality for every district in America, his modes of computer usage have molded my perceptions of integrating technology into my classroom.  For the past several months I have been using the online Learning Management System “Moodle”. Moodle is the most famous software application (Learning Management Systems, LMS) to administer and deliver online teaching and support face-to-face teaching with online education.  It is designed for users who do not have server or coding skills, and it is a flexible software that easily adapts to most different educational situations. Moreover, it is open-source, that is, completely free. Hence, it can be adopted by a whole school, but also by a single teacher for just one course. 
I have learned to incorporate gaming within my Moodle course to attract interest and encourage engagement.  I have experimented and become familiar with different LMS and web applications such as “Quizlet”, “Word wall”, “Powtoon”, “Animaker”, “Renderforest”, “Moovly”, “Canva”, and “Teams”, to name a few.    
I am pleased to have had the opportunity to look at my teaching style; to analyze it and to experiment with it.  It is not often that one critically self-evaluates, especially in a field such as education.  It is difficult to study the conditions and situations in the classroom when you are part of that environment.  One needs to step back away from it and look at it from the outside. It has been a pleasure to work and study kids at the high school level; students for the most part behaved as young adults and had respect for authority.  I don’t believe I would have had the successes with experimentation if I were in a large urban school district.  The difference between teaching here at CABOCES and teaching in a large urban district is enormous, like night and day.  I am not saying that this endeavor did not have its frustrations and challenges, but I must wonder if doing this with 150 chaotic students, in five different classrooms, at various times of the day would have deterred me from continuing such an endeavor.   
Fortunately, within the last few months I was able to obtain good sources, collect data, and develop a good sense of what happened.  I guess what I am trying to say is that even though I have only scratched the surface, I have come to the conclusion, that technology is an excellent instructional resource.  Let me not fail to mention that I have also been able to  differentiate instruction, so that students who are learning disabled or who do not grasp content as quickly as others, can use the computer for learning and remediation – drill and practice, so that they can keep up with curriculum demands and their peers. 
 I am not the same teacher I was before experimenting with technology.  I have a developed a new passion for teaching.  I was somewhat bored with the old traditional ways and now I am excited and reenergized.  I have many new tools in my bag of tricks.   

By: Ed Cruz, CA BOCES Learning Resources