A short overview of simple course design concepts using Moodle, presented by Mark Drechsler at the 2012 Murdoch Teaching & Learning Forum (http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Teaching-and-Learning-Forum/)

1. Moodle course design made simple
Mark Drechsler

2. To design a Moodle course there are a
few key ideas to understand, namely:
–Topics;
–Context (labels);
–Content (resources & activities);
–Learning paths; and
–Blocks.

3. A topic is sort of like a learning
module - it is a self-contained
space where you can add context
and content.

5. Labels are used in Moodle to add
context, i.e. a description of what
the content is about.
If the content is the food, think of
the context as the menu.

7. The content is the actual stuff you
want your learners to engage with.
It can be resources (like document
folders or video), or activities (like
a forum, assignment, quiz or wiki).

9. Moodle is designed in a way which
encourages course designers to
build in learning paths.
Note that you don't have to do
this, but it can often be a logical
way of structuring a course.

11. Additional information for your
course that exists independently
from learning paths can be added
using blocks.
Blocks are also good for
aggregating information.

13. Got that?
• Now:
– Keep it simple
– Let the pedagogy guide the technology, not the
other way around
– Have fun!