Moodle, Turning Point, Etc

Today I went to a professional development class on intelligent classroom tools and it was actually fun. I went to the sessions on Turning Point and Moodle.

Ok, Turning Point - an in class response system that works with powerpoint. I like the automatic response stuff and I can see how to restructure my powerpoints to add turning point slides. I don't like the idea of having two versions of all my slides - one to post on line and one to use in class with turning point, but that may or may not be necessary, I do like the anonymity of the answers - and the idea that one can use the responses as a daily grade. What I'm not sure about is the depth of the questions. They are meant for quick response - multiple choice or true/false. I need to figure out how to use this to push higher level thinking. The second part of every question in statistics is "why?" and turning point does not lend itself to that.

Moodle is a system that allows posting resources for classes, creating wikis and blogs, and doing on-line worksheets and assessments. The gentleman who taught the class used it for his physics final last year. I really think I could like this tool - particularly as finding a place to put homework on line will be a big deal for my stat class next year, since we'll be using a classroom set of books. There is a way to import files from examview - and I think that might work for precal. It has ways to shuffle questions and answers so each kid gets their own version of a worksheet or quiz. I could see using that for precal if I was willing to give on making them show their work. Right now it can only be used on RRISD networks, but the plan is to have sign ins available through the internet so it can be used at home. That means I could use it for homework (much like the UT system).

I can see potential for both of these tools, but the ever present worry is finding the time to create the resources that are needed.

Janet