LearnMoodle

What is LearnMoodle?

Most people are familiar with our Learn Moodle MOOC, an activity-based learning course for teachers new to Moodle. Four weeks, 3 to 4 hours a week. No fees. The next Learn Moodle Basics course, for Moodle 3.6, will start on Monday 7 January, 2019.

The new Moodle Educator Certification program

In 2017-18, the Moodle HQ Education Team began to develop the Moodle Educator Certification Program. In these new training modules, educators are asked to demonstrate effectiveness with 22 digital competencies using Moodle Tools. In addition to the 22 facilitated modules, the program offers 10 self-regulated modules focused on deeper skills with Moodle activities and features.

Philosophy of the MEC program

The design of the modules reflects the following beliefs:

1. Educators are the focus of our attention, not features.

We honour the expertise of educators engaged in our models. We show them some Moodle teaching approaches and build in facilitated and self-regulated learning experiences. Our educators are asked to consider their own best work in the modules, as well as ways they may apply the ideas in their own teaching and learning practice using Moodle.

2. Teaching practice is informed by qualitative feedback.

We try to model specific behaviors like providing exemplars in Moodle, making room for experimentation, encouraging reflection, and requesting feedback from our participants. The reflections we ask educators to make are in the service of “what just happened” and making future decisions based on that information.

Badges and Certifications

The MEC Program offers six levels of possible attainment. Modules and certificates are awarded by program facilitators (Moodle Partner trainers).

Six Learn Moodle Basics MOOC (certificate)

• MEC Self-Regulated Modules (specific badges for Moodle tools)
• MEC Self-Regulated Modules (certificate for all self-regulated modules)
• MEC Facilitated Modules (specific badges for content standards)
• MEC Facilitated Modules (certificate for all facilitated modules)
• MEC Facilitated Capstone (Moodle Certified Educator)

Areas of Learning

Although the modules provide a path for badges and certification, the curriculum also serves as an excellent overview of applying digital skills with Moodle:

Professional Engagement

Educators’ digital competence to use Moodle not only to enhance teaching, but also for their professional interactions with learners and other educators, for their individual professional development, and for the collective good and continuous innovation in teaching practice.

Digital Resources

Educators’ digital competence to effectively identify Moodle resources that best fit their learning objectives, learner group, and teaching style, to structure the wealth of materials, establish connections, and to modify, add on to, and develop resources to support teaching practice.

Teaching and Learning

Educators’ digital competence to effectively archestrate the use of Moodle in the different phases and settings of the learning process including the designing, planning, and implementation.

Assessment

Educators’ digital competence to use Moodle to gather, analyze, and interpret student data, to monitor learner progress, to facilitate feedback, and to assess and adapt teaching strategies.

Empowering Learners

Educators’ digital competence to use Moodle to support the active involvement of learners in the learning process, to contribute to classroom differentiation and personalization, and ensuring accessibility for all learners.

Facilitating Competence

Educators’ digital competence to use Moodle to facilitate learners’ digital competence including digital communication and collaboration, digital content creation, and digital problem-solving.

Note: these key learning areas align with the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from previous MCCC training?

The MEC Program addresses educators who want to apply Moodle to solve well-identified issues within their teaching and learning practice. We discuss the software in the context of their own courses. The MCCC requires more technical proficiency skills and likely fewer teaching and learning conversations than the MEC.

Where can we go to find out more about MEC Program and the courses?

Stay tuned for more launch information this May from https://moodle.com

When will I be able to do one of these modules?

In April we will be running another small cohort for friends who are willing to engage as participants, then provide suggestions at the end of the session. Tom Murdock, Education Team Lead, has more details and can be contacted on tom@moodle.com.

How much will they cost/what is the pricing system?

Costs will be set by partners who facilitate the courses

How long will each module last? Hours? Days? Weeks?

The length of the module depends on its delivery method. A face-to-face workshop can be completed in 4-6 hours (depending on the module). Online facilitation could stretch out from 1-2 weeks.

Do you cover mobile learning/accessibility/gamification/something else?

We cover mobile learning and accessibility. Stay tuned for full curriculum list.

Are they all totally online? What about face to face (like at a moot?)

The MEC modules are designed to be taught online or blended (face-to-face with an online component).

You say we must go via a Moodle Partner? What if we don’t have a Moodle partner?

We can help you find a great partner who can support your needs.

What are the “five languages” they will be translated into and when will they be ready?

These are dependent on needs of the partners participating in the MEC Program.

How have you done quality control on these courses/which trials have you done?

We are following the stages outlined in the UNESCO IBE Developing and Implementing Curriculum Frameworks.

Are these modules just for academic institutions or would they work for workplace too?

They are appropriate for diverse sectors including education, higher education, and workplace learning.

Will any of the courses be offered as free tasters?

We haven’t considered this option at this early stage.

How do badges and certificates work with these modules? Will I get a badge per module? A certificate per module?

Our 6 levels for skill development and quality education:

• Learn Moodle Basics MOOC (certificate and badge)
• MEC Self-Regulated Modules (specific badges for Moodle tools)
• MEC Self-Regulated Modules (certificate for all self-regulated modules)
• MEC Facilitated Modules (specific badges for content standards)
• MEC Facilitated Modules (certificate for all facilitated modules)
• MEC Facilitated Capstone (Moodle Certified Educator)

If we do all the modules and become certified, will we be official Moodle trainers? What will my certification allow me to do?

MEC is a designation of expertise, but only Moodle Partner Trainers are certified to facilitate the MEC Program.

What’s going to happen to the current MCCC?

Stay tuned. We value all of the time and work that has been put into this curriculum and hope to work with its community to continue its positive impact for Moodlers.

I want to do admin training!

Excellent! Look for our 2019 program initiatives!