| Přispěvatelé: |
Rutkauskienė, Danguolė, Matickas, Jonas Kazimieras, Rubliauskas, Dalius, Kavaliauskas, Kazys, Baniulis, K., Lenkevičius, Antanas, Targamadzė, Aleksandras, Paradauskas, Bronius, Šileikienė, Irma, Rėklaitis, Vytautas, Kaunas University of Technology |
| Popis: |
Summary Distant Learning (DL) in Lithuania is rapidly developing, various Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) emerge. The most popular of them are WebCT, Moodle, Atutor. Therefore I have decided to analyse Moodle Virtual Learning Environment as it is widely used by many institutions of high and secondary education. Purpose of the paper To analyse the tools of virtual learning environments, in order to select those that could be added to Moodle environment and help achieve efficient usage of Moodle in creating and providing DL courses. Objectives: a) Analyse the concept and functions of VLE. b) Provide general analysis of VLE. c) Provide a comparative analysis of Moodle, File3, WebCT environments. d) Determine which functions should be added to VLE Moodle. e) Integrate the selected tools to Moodle environment. f) Prepare methodical material of Moodle environment for teachers and students. Methods of the study: a) Search and systemization of information. b) Analysis and generalization of scientific and informational material. c) Data processing. d) Comparative data analysis. In order to achieve the set objective I have compared Moodle and WebCT, which have proven to be the most popular VLE, as well as File3 – an average level VLE created in Finland. By comparing these VLE becomes apparent that Moodle VLE contains a number of various teaching and handling tools however the distributed versions of this program are short of some tools: they have no internal e-mail, which is partly replaced by a tool intended for sending mail to the external e-mails of users. Internal e-mail is a significant tool helping teachers and students to keep in touch. There is no need for students to look for addresses of their colleagues or teachers as they can simply select one or a group of course participants and send mail to them or, if such necessity occurs, send teachers their work. Another significant tool, which Moodle is also missing, is student survey tool. Distributed Moodle 1.5.3. version holds only standard questions, which cannot be altered by teachers and are compiled in English. Therefore it was decided to analyse and install a survey system that would help teachers prepare the course material, ascertain the preparation levels of students, determine which of the course subjects were appreciated and which were least favourite, what improvements could be made, etc. Conclusions 1) Moodle comprises main teaching and handling tools and is an open system allowing improvements and integration of new and useful tools. Moodle has a functional tool allowing to Lithuanianize new installed teaching and handling devices. 2) Installed tool – Internal e-mail – provides all the functions of e-mail: receiving and sending of mail, storage of sent and received mail, an address book. The mentioned tool has been examined and proven problem-free. 3) Installed tool – survey system (phpESP) comprises the following operational qualities: allows data processing and transfer to Excel, counts the answers of respondents, and provides a possibility to compile various types of questions and answers. The mentioned tool has been examined and proven problem-free. 4) Methodical material introducing Moodle environment and providing information on how to operate this program was prepared for students and teachers, see annexes 1 and 2. |
