For the record, I am very happily married but I have decided to start dating again. Working with Moodle is very much like a marriage. First we courted, then we made a commitment to one another and for the past 2 years we have been ‘working at our relationship.’ To be honest, there has been quite a lot to work on.
We have been working hard at MIS integration, considering e-portfolios and always looking for ways to keep it things, well fresh. New modules and blocks keep things interesting. At the sharp end we have had some interesting Moodle quirks but also some very valuable wins.
But now a more attractive Moodle has come along (its more than a nip and tuck) and… well, this is where the analogy begins to struggle……we need to start preparing for Moodle 2.?
Moving to Moodle 2 is not a separation nor is it a divorce (we are very happy with 1.9) so the best I can conceive is that we will be renewing our vows ready for Moodle 2.1 or even 2.2, sufficient time for a production reliable installation and sufficient time for block and module updated. In the meantime, I have decided to ‘get involved’ with Moodle 2.02 sooner rather than later on a private installation to develop my understanding and Moodle know how. Afterall, one of the best things about Moodle is its availablilty and the committee behind it to support you.
Along side Kristianstill.co.uk/wordpress, I have installed Moodle 2.02 at Kristianstill.co.uk/moodle and have decided to share this learning process with anyone who wishes to ‘piggy-back’ the experience.
How far have I got….
Well, Moodle is installed. I have defined my aims, planned the course hierarchy and designed a learning model for the courses.
I have selected the Arialist the theme (much better themes for Moodle 2 that is for sure) and learnt how to change the look and feel of themes with the guidance (or should I say patience) of @Moodledan. I designed and started to implement a basic front page layout making it as visual as possible. There are a lot of informative posts on Moodle design, as recent as last week, as it has been consider a little bit of an Achilles heel. Here’s hoping Moodle 2 is as good as the reviews suggest.
Next, I set up my first file repository. A folder that can be access site wide, containing the visual icons for the learning model I wish to adopt in each course. Not unlike the ‘Sharing Cart’ but for the entire installation. I can see this as being very beneficial for site wide icons and the visual appearance of courses. Certainly adding files was very straightforward and the new Tiny MCE Editor an improvement.
Next, building the courses and implementing the learning model.