Sara Valla

1. Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (LEA) at
University of Parma:
3 case histories
to gain experience and
discover best practices for
administration, management and teaching
of on-line courses.
The birth of the Digital Co-Laboratory
Sara Valla
Workshop “New Trends for Science Dissemination”
ICTP - Trieste - Italy - 26 to 28 September 2011

2. What will we talk about?
• Moodle VLE
• CONTEXT and EXPERIENCE:
Moodle at University of Parma
3 case histories
Co-Laboratory
• LESSONS LEARNED and (maybe)
BEST PRACTICES
(administration, management, teaching)

3. Moodle
Moodle... what?
Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment
• software package for producing Internet-based courses;
• provided freely as Open Source software
(under the GNU Public License)
• you can use it to conduct fully online courses, or to augment
face-to-face courses (blended learning)
➡It is a VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Ref: http://docs.moodle.org/20/en/About_Moodle

4. Moodle
Moodle...what?
Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment
global project designed to support a social constructionist
framework of education:
. people actively construct knowledge interacting with their environments;
. groups construct knowledge for one another;
you can use the ACTIVITY modules to build richly
collaborative communities of learning around subject matter,
or
use Moodle as a way to DELIVER CONTENT to students (such
as standard SCORM packages) and ASSESS learning using
assignments or quizzes.
Ref: http://docs.moodle.org/20/en/About_Moodle

5. Moodle
Sites: 56.577
Countries: 212
Courses 4.886.235
Users 46.086.701
Moodle sites
Stats at 25th September 2011

6. Moodle
...there MUST be a REASON...
Sites: 56.577
Countries: 212
Courses 4.886.235
Users 46.086.701
Moodle sites
Stats at 25th September 2011

7. Moodle
Moodle...why?
STRONG and ACTIVE COMMUNITY
MODULARITY and FLEXIBILITY : modules and plugins to meet
different needs
ONLINE assignments and evaluations
Communication, evaluation, self-assessment, collaboration
online are possible.
Ref: http://docs.moodle.org/20/en/About_Moodle

8. Moodle - Parma
Moodle = Lea
• Professors used Dokeos online learning platform
• 2008: Moodle installation and testing start
Service presentation: some professors start using Moodle
• Starting from 2011/2012
Moodle will be the only training platform at
University of Parma.

9. Moodle - Parma
• 12 Faculties
• 41 degree courses
• 27 master programs
• 30.689 total students (end 2009)
• 984 professors
• 3273 courses (activities)
+
• 98 courses (2,9%)
• 6210 users (120/130 teachers = about 12%)
• 2 master programs (separate platforms): 7,4%
Sources: 2011 Performance Plan (University of Parma)- April 2011 - LEA.unipr.it stats July 2011

10. Moodle - Parma
12 Faculties
3 Faculties with 0 courses (Law, Agriculture, Political Science)
42 courses: Faculty of Engineering: 42,8 %
25 courses: Faculty of Humanities: 35,71%
Sources: LEA.unipr.it stats 27th July 2011

11. Moodle - Parma
Moodle = Lea Support
• Platform administration
• “Moodle A,B,C Guide” for professors on Moodle:
videotutorials and written guides
• Video and text guides for speci c needs (projects)

12. Digital Co-Lab
Co-Laboratory
WHO? it was born spontaneously among
professors and different disciplines experts
(invisible bridge between disciplines)
WHO? it is OPEN to ALL PEOPLE who want
to join us, from other FACULTIES and
STRUCTURES
WHY? to meet internal and external needs
concerning knowledge and learning Co-Laboratory doesn't
need a special “physical”
development, to support collaboration
structure... it is
everywhere

13. Digital Co-Laboratory Co-Lab
it’s not about tools
✓ tools and applications
✓ video and/or text guides
✓ information technology tools
are not enough
it’s a mindset
➡ change in methods and methodology
➡ tutoring and coaching
➡ professors and students must be involved (point of view)
➡ support and tutoring through co-operation in real projects

14. Digital Co-Laboratory Co-Lab
basic principles: 3C
1. COLLABORAZIONE = Collaboration and Cooperation
2. CONDIVISIONE = Sharing
• contents (Open Access)
• tecniques and methods
• environments
• software and applications
3. CREATIVITA’ e CREAZIONE = Creativity and creation
...multimedia and crossmedia

15. Case History 1
DILL Master
✓WHAT: two-year international master
✓WHO: for elite information professionals
✓WHY: provide students with the skills and competencies to
navigate the rapidly evolving world of digital libraries.
DILL is a Master Programme under the European Union's Erasmus Mundus Programme.

16. Case History 1
DILL Master
DILL-4:
19 students
from 18 different countries
It is offered in cooperation between
➡Oslo University College (Norway),
➡Tallinn University (Estonia),
➡University of Parma (Italy).
Students spend at least one semester at
each institution.
Master official language: english

17. DILL Master Case History 1
• Faculty of Humanities
• Presence + online = blended
• currently in session in Parma: DILL-4 edition
Student standard activities for the Master are:
‣ lecture attending
‣ attending conferences and seminars
‣ group work
‣ attending in tutorials with practical activities

18. DILL Master Case History 1
• Faculty of Humanities
• Presence + online = blended
• currently in session in Parma: DILL-4 edition
Student standard activities for the Master are: DILL-3:
Moodle as
‣ lecture attending
Document
‣ attending conferences and seminars Repository
‣ group work
‣ attending in tutorials with practical activities

19. DILL Master Case History 1
• Faculty of Humanities
• Presence + online = blended
• currently in session in Parma: DILL-4 edition
Student standard activities for the Master are: DILL-3:
Moodle as
‣ lecture attending
Document
‣ attending conferences and seminars Repository
‣ group work
‣ attending in tutorials with practical activities
CHALLENGE: create action
and interactions inside the VLE

20. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
Underpinning the modules in Parma are:
‣ the need to put the user at the centre of professional
activities;
‣ the effective use of technology to meet the needs of
users;
‣ the need to base decisions and activities with evidence

21. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
Underpinning the modules in Parma are:
‣ the need to put the user at the centre of professional
activities;
‣ the effective use of technology to meet the needs of
users;
‣ the need to base decisions and activities with evidence

22. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
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23. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School

24. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
LEA / Moodle IS NOT
• a mere document repository
• or information transfer tool

25. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
LEA / Moodle IS NOT
• a mere document repository
• or information transfer tool
LEA / Moodle IS
a place where ACTIONS TAKE PLACE and
THINGS happen

26. Experience
DILL Master
Presentation of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment during Master Summer School
LEA / Moodle IS NOT
• a mere document repository
• or information transfer tool
LEA / Moodle IS
a place where ACTIONS TAKE PLACE and
THINGS happen
Ok, this is your PROMISE.
And how will you keep it?

27. Experience
DILL Master
Moodle Platform as:

28. Experience
DILL Master
Moodle Platform
as:
PLE

29. Experience
Dill Master Coordinator
Stats at 25th September 2011
accepts the challenge!
Moodle 2.x version
experimentation

30. Experience
...in process...
DILL Master Best Practices?
➡ Welcome and helpdesk forum for students
➡ Helpdesk forum for teachers
➡ Professor + Tutors + Technical Coordination and
coaching
➡ Conferences: interview recording inside Moodle,
proceedings sharing, and discussion in forums,
➡ Collaborative document (wiki activity or external wiki
integration) and subsequent creation of an e-book
➡ Tutorials with on site practical activities and later
discussion in the forum and upload of content

31. Case History 2
MTAV Master
✓WHAT: International Master degree in audio-visual media
translation (Faculty of Humanities)
✓WHO: professionals from different parts of the world
✓WHY: provide students with the skills and competencies
relevant to audio and visual media translation,
subtitle creation and management and audio description

32. Case History 2
MTAV Master
EDITION 1 (2010-2011)
6 students
from Italy, Greece Spain
12 professors
It is offered in cooperation between
➡Universidad de Barcelona (UAB)
➡University of Parma (Italy).
Completely online

33. METAV Master Experience
Best Practices
Control Panel
Block
Social format: with list of
FORUM activities
Student

34. METAV Master Experience
Best Practices
SCORM
learning objects
resources
Video learning + ACTIVITIES
material
Regular
Chat sessions
Student Prof.
Regular
assignments

35. METAV Master Experience
Best Practices
Technical coordination
Helpdesk online
Professor training and guides
Content creation and support Prof

36. METAV Master Experience
Best Practices
Professor feedback:
qualitative interviews (Co-Lab):
Prof
➡pros and cons
➡course structure
➡possible improvements?
➡use of activities
➡creative use of Moodle?

37. Case History 3
Lab for Students
✓WHAT: practical laboratory on information literacy
✓WHO: students (Faculty of Humanities)
✓WHY: provide students with the skills and competencies to
search for information on the internet in an effective way

38. Case History 1
Lab for Students
150 students per year
1 tutor
It is compulsory for Faculty Students
Students can decide different methods:
online, blended (face-to-face + online)

39. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
HTML
blocks
use of
editing
alternation
of labels,
activities,
resources
structure:
Student
topics format

40. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
General
introductory part:
advices, news,
information

41. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
General
introductory part:
advices, news,
information
As simple
and clear as
possible

42. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
General
introductory part:
advices, news,
information
As simple
and clear as
possible
step by step:
future material
is hidden
(light grey)

43. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
General
introductory part:
advices, news,
information
As simple
and clear as
possible
step by step:
future material Start small
is hidden think big
(light grey)

44. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
No of attempts
Grading principles
Opening/closing
dates
Assignment
explanation and
details
Student
Quiz

45. Lab for Students Experience
Assessment
Graphic
(students and
grades)
Teacher
Grading Tab:
names, pictures,
results, time, date
Quiz

46. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
Student
Assignment:
explanation with reference and
instructions

47. Lab for Students Experience
Best Practices
use of video
embedding videotutorial
from external recording
repositores:
Slideshare,
Scribd
Student
Content design

48. Instructional design Best Practices
Format, structure,
specific contents,
activity design

49. Best development? Experience
Approach? Best Practices
Teacher area: Student area:
•technical helpdesk •technical helpdesk
•testing area •welcome area
•general helpdesk
Just in time
Step by step

50. Reference for resources and Experience
activities choice Best Practices
Choice of technology based
upon what you want to achieve
Joyce Seitzinger (www.cats‐pyjamas.net) ‐May 2010

51. Social Network: integration?
• Facebook Co-Lab and Moodle
• Twitter
If you only need a reference to a
Facebook page and status and to
professor or group tweets:
Moodle HTML blocks
• Facebook badge
• Twitter widget

52. Moodle Mobile: My Moodle App
• Official App Co-Lab and Moodle
• Free
• Requires Moodle 2.1
1. Settings Block
2. Site Administration
3. Plugins
4. Web-Services
5. External Services
6. Enable mobile web service
"My Moodle" app can only authenticate against the
manual 'auth' plugin: still no Support for CAS/LDAP
Single Sign-On

53. Moodle Mobile: My Moodle App
App does not replace Moodle interface.
It just provides you with some tools:
Co-Lab and Moodle
➡ upload pictures, video and audio les
to your Private Files area in Moodle
➡ view the participant list of your courses
and information about them
➡ send a private Moodle message
➡ add a private note about someone
➡ copy a Moodle user to your mobile
address book
➡ access the web version of your Moodle
site
➡ access Moodle documentation

54. Moodle Mobile: mTouch
• cost: 2,99 €
• no installation required on Moodle Server
"mTouch" can also access through CAS /
LDAP: web login and then replaces Moodle
interface

55. Future?
Co-Lab and Moodle
• Integration with portfolios (Mahara + Moodle = Mahoodle)
• Integration with a dedicated social network (Elgg)
• Moodle mobile further experimentation on Android
smartphones, Android tablets and iPad
• QR code and augmented reality; inside Moodle?
Uncourse for teaching:
learning by designing and working on real projects
cooperation, collaboration, project design
tools, methods and methodologies applied to speci c
contexts

56. What did we talk about?
• Moodle VLE at University of Parma
• 3 examples of good projects to experiment
methods, methodologies and tools, co-operating
and collaborating
(students + tutors + professors)
- Co-Laboratory
• WORK IN PROGRESS
...future quantitative results on user satisfaction and
learning results... now we have guidelines for BEST
PRACTICES (administration, management, teaching)

57. Digital Co-Laboratory Co-Lab
contacts and channels
➡ E-mail: colab@unipr.it
➡ Twitter: CoLab_UniPR
➡ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/
colabunipr
➡ Moodle platform for experimentation:
http://colab.cce.unipr.it/colab_lea
Under development:
YouTube channel,
Elgg social network,
Mahara Portfolio

58. Thanks to
• Prof. Anna Maria Tammaro
- Delegate of the Rector for Distance Learning (University of Parma)
- International DILL Master Local Coordinator
• Prof. Maria Valero, Learning Activities Coordinator for METAV Master
(University of Parma)
• METAV Master interviewed Professors: Carlo Eugeni, Silvia Bruti, Vera
Arma, Carlotta Sparvoli, Maria Valero, Anna Marzà
• Dr. Federico Monaco, Tutor for DILL Master
• Dr. Marina Usberti, Tutor for “Laboratory for Research of Information
sur ng the Internet”
• Digital Co-Lab Group of experts

59. Thanks for Yr. attention!
Questions?
Thanks to the staff of SDU (Science Dissemination Unit)
of ICTP for the invitation
To contact me:
Sara Valla
E-mail: sara.valla@unipr.it
Twitter: thuridilla
Skype: saraunipr