Moodling Away

It is now the half way point for the fifth six weeks and I've now seriously moodled my stat class through 3 cycles. So what do I think of moodle?

I don't like:
1. The work of getting questions into moodle form. This would be so much easier if it would just pick up copy and paste from word and not have to upload graphics separately.
2. Worrying that my kids aren't learning thinking skills - the world does not give us multiple choice problems - although they are easier to grade
3. Worrying my kids aren't learning the organizational skills for math. Problems have to be laid out in an organized manner - the method is as important as the answer - that's why I won't use moodle for PreCal.

I like:
1. Almost instanteous grading
2. Not having to read handwriting for essay or free response questions
3. Having material available to kids all the time (nice when we don't have a book)
4. Not having tons of paper to handle.
5. Having reviews that self-correct and point to the right answer

Things I want to do next year:
1. Figure out how to do "lessons" to guide kids through concepts.
2. Use moodle for class management in precal (but I can't see how to do the class on moodle - you have to see the homework there).

Things I worry about:
1. Kids who don't have computers at home
2. Kids who really need a book (ok, we wouldn't have books for stat anyway)
3. Kids with vision problems such as dyslexia - I could sure use some help on this one.

On balence, I'll do moodle again next year with stat - and I may add some of the class management for precal. I like the program, it's easy to use and usually I can find what I need for help. And I must admit, I wish I could do my precal final online.

Janet

Goodbye to Jinx

One of the mainstays of my school died last month and it has taken me awhile to think it through and have something to say.

We lost our crisis counselor,Jinx,- the one person we all went to - teachers and students alike. A wise woman who always knew the right words, a true Texas original. I miss her wisdom and her good cheer. When we loose some one like her the world becomes a bit more vanilla, a bit less lively -just a bit more gray.

I'm glad I had a chance to work with her and to know her.