Joined on 08-20-2001
San Francisco, CA and the web
There's been some recent discussion on a number of listservs I'm on about tools for e-learning. E-learning isn't something I've seen come up in the forums much and I was curious to see if any of you out there are using e-learning tools. If so, which ones? What free tools would you recommend to others?
--Megan
Joined on 08-20-2001
San Francisco, CA and the web
One tool I've heard used a lot for e-learning is
Moodle, an open source course management system. You can see some examples of some of the communities that use Moodle
here.
What other elearning tools have folks used?
Hi, Megan,
When I hear 'tools for e-learning' I wonder how we separate those out from the general internet tools? So much of what is done on the internet could classify as e-learning. Forums, webinars, yahoo groups, private email lists, wikis, or simply surfing and researching are all e-learning tools.
Still, I know that there are specific tools that are aimed at the 'learning' niche, like Moodle and others.
So I wonder if a good discussion would be how those specific tools ADD to the already rich learning environment that the internet provides? Why would a nonprofit invest the time it takes to learn those tools and educate their constituents on how to use them?
Best wishes,
Joined on 08-20-2001
San Francisco, CA and the web
Thanks, Sasha, it's important to remember all of the general tools that are frequently used for e-learning. What platforms in particular lend itself to this? I think your question is a good one--what benefit do these lend to nonprofits?
Our agency currently has a Moodle deploy. We had formed relationships with some of the area community colleges as well as state universities. Building our own solution has allowed us to build classes and deliver them quicker, without the approval of outside organizations.
As a personal project, I'm currently looking at Moodle and Sakai and how they could benefit a university for non-academic courses. (ie: Community Ed, Internships, Staff Development).
Joined on 05-10-2002
TechSoup Member
A categorically separate learning management system is important for us. We are required to train our staff on approximately a dozen topics every year. With 4 sites and 24 hour staffing, it's tough to get to everyone. An e-learning system fits the bill nicely.
I looked at Moodle, but the task of developing all of the courses myself was too daunting. We ended up using a service that caters to behavioral health providers and, so far, it's going pretty well.
Jason Schwartz
Joined on 12-20-2007
Orange County CA
TechSoup Member
Hello,
I have found this to be an absolutly fantastic e-learning site
www.nationalservice.org/learning/
I have taken the assesment module and have also taken a couple of the recommended modules. I really suggest trying it if anything it is almost overwealming in the plethoria of information offered
Joined on 02-07-2005
TechSoup Member
We lease a commercial Learning CMS from ePath. We looked at Moodle in our search, but our consultant advised us that its lack of documentation made it very difficult to configure. Furthermore, it seemed not to be oriented towards grades, which we wanted. Moodle seems to be good for collaboration between learners.
Joined on 01-03-2007
TechSoup Member
Hi,
Jane Hart's website lists
top tools, including eLearning ones - there's a mix of free and cost ones.
Don,
I've only got a few months of experience on Moodle but from what I've seen the documentation is pretty good.
As far as grades, I've seen it in K12, Higher Ed, and Community levels. It looks like ePath is pretty promising. Are you comfortable sharing what your costs are?
There are large enclaves of academics using Second Life for e-learning. There is even a version of Moodle for SL called SLoodle. I would be eager to hear about other uses of Second Life or virtual worlds for education/e-learning.
Joined on 02-20-2008
TechSoup Member
Megan,
I've worked with Moodle, MediaWiki and Drupal though I've only set up classrooms in Moodle. I teach in the Business Technology department at City College of San Francisco and I've created online classrooms for each of the courses I teach at www.webinstructor.org/moodle.
I can't tell you what an enormous help Moodle is while planning, building and teaching a class. I can't recommend it highly enough and welcome anyone to visit one of my classrooms as a guest if they would like. I am just starting to tap into e-learning journals, etc and to get a sense of best practices when introducing an online classroom to students. I hope to post here again shortly with more information.
Joined on 08-20-2001
San Francisco, CA and the web
mmcneal, thank you so much for sharing your experience--and also giving folks a chance to visit one of these e-classrooms to see Moodle in action. Please do post back with more info.
Best,
Megan
Joined on 11-28-2006
TechSoup Member
I'm a Microsoft guy.. so, here ya go.
For IT Groups
Microsoft Technet Free Videos
For 2007 Office Users
Microsoft 2007 Office User Free Training
The E-Learning Program (My Favorite) a lot of free samples. Plus a downloadable player to synchronize your training sessions.
Microsoft E-Learning Program.
More IT Stuff -- Virtual Labs (Loads of Free stuff)
For 2007 Office Users
Microsoft MSDN Virutual Labs
Joined on 02-27-2008
TechSoup Member
Hi, Megan Keane asked me to post a link to my new Geography Game in this group... Here we go.
The Game is called "placeSpotting.com" and it is about finding places on a Google map. You get a picture of a place somewhere on earth and have to find this place on a moveable Google map. You can also create new "map-riddles" for your friends.
The game started in Sitzerland and has already more than 3000 riddles stored and more than 300'000 people tried to solve a riddle.
And here the link to the game:
placespotting.com
Two links to special riddles:
Riddle One
Riddle Two
The page is in English, needs no registration and is free.
Hope you like it.
Martin