Stage 1 – Need The problem or need that existed which gave rise to the innovation?

History Moodle is an active & evolving work in progress Development was started by Martin Dougiamas Project started in the 90’s Webmaster & administrator on WebCT Problems & better way

Philosophy Open Source & Free Easy to use; almost intuitive Deeply held belief in the importance of unrestricted education & empowered teaching Moodle is realization of these ideals

Stage 2 - Research What research organization or people developed a solution to this problem or need? What were their findings? Who were the “lead thinkers” for this innovation, and how did they convince a manufacturer to produce it?

Martin Dougiamas – Innovator & Lead Developer He saw problems in other Learning Management Systems (LMS) Software product for producing Internet-based courses. World-wide ongoing development project Supports social constructionist pedagogy of education

Stage 3 - Development What problems did the innovation encounter in the development process? Who was the intended audience for the innovation?

A number of prototypes were produced & discarded prior to Version 1.0 Released on August 20, 2002 Originally targeted toward smaller, more intimate classes at the University level Subject of research case studies which closely analyzed the nature of collaboration

Distributed free under Open Source licensing Complete access to source code Changes can be made, if needed Small learning curve for teachers Modular design for adding activities

Getting Started With editing turned on, the course creator can now Add activities from an intuitive drop-down list of module plug-in features. Moodle has a “modular” design so adding the Activities that form a course is a simple process: 1. Course creation privileges are assigned to the teacher. 2. Select from one of three course layout; Topic, Weekly or Social format. 3. Click “Turn editing on” within the blank course template. 4. Create the course!

Stage 4 - Commercialization The production, manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and distribution of the innovation.

Open Source Software Provided freely as Open Source software under the GNU Public License Copyrighted – but additional freedoms are granted Developers can copy, use & modify the software provided they agree to : –Provide the source to others – Not modify or remove the original license & copyrights –Apply the same license to any derivative work

No packaging necessary Can be downloaded from onto a server computerwww.moodle.org Distribution to anyone with Internet access Marketing is done via –Conference presentations on projects completed using Moodle –Books written by non-Moodle employees (users) –Worldwide news via the web site on Moodle Buzz

Adoption Rate within Society Martin Dougiamas & Moodle are at the beginning of a typical S-Curve for technology innovations. Changes are consistently imminent Future release are already in development Strategy is to keep things simple – very attractive to users Alternative to proprietary or commercial online Learning Management Solutions

Innovators & Early Adopters Who are they? What strategies are most convincing to adopt the innovation?

Key roles within Moodle Lead Developer & Innovator - Martin DougiamasMartin Dougiamas Knight in Shining Armor - Eloy LafuenteEloy Lafuente Translation Coordinator - Koen RoggemansKoen Roggemans Security Officer - Petr Škoda Community Manager - Helen FosterHelen Foster Themes Manager - Urs HunklerUrs Hunkler Contribution Coordinator - Anthony BorrowAnthony Borrow From

Strategies for Adoption Very small learning curve for teachers (just a few short hours) No cost for school district Class templates Classes already on Moodle for learning –Currently, 10,038 sites in operation is the U.S. Many resources already available –i.e. Alternative high school programs

Laggards Who are they? What strategies would be best to help move them toward adoption?

Rejection Notices Are you still using tried-and-true methods of teaching? –Chalk board –Overhead projector –Paper and pencil (*note taking) –Lectures Do you have a fear of technology? Do you believe that online education cannot be as good as traditional methods?

Perceived Attributes In order to meet critical mass in the education industry?

Why should I Change? Moodle is distributed free under Open Source licensing Districts can have access to source code Districts can make changes, if needed Small learning curve for teachers Modular design for adding activities Classroom templates available on Moodle

A constructivist perspective views learners as actively engaged in making meaning, and teaching with that approach looks for what students can analyze, investigate, collaborate, share, build and generate based on what they already know, rather than what facts, skills, and processes they can parrot. Some of the tenets of constructivism in pedagogical terms include: Students come to class with an established world-view, formed by years of prior experience and learning. Even as it evolves, a student’s world-view filters all experiences and affects their interpretations of observations. For students to change their world-view requires work. Students learn from each other as well as the teacher. Students learn better by doing. Allowing and creating opportunities for all to have a voice promotes the construction of new ideas. Learner Involvement

Over 1,150 organizations in 81 countries had registered Moodle sites by April 2004 ( This number is growing by about 10% each month as educators and trainers learn the value of implementing open source Moodle. Moodle is an ideal online learning solution for: Who is Using Moodle? K-12 Schools Colleges Universities Governmental Agencies Businesses Trade Associations Hospitals Libraries Employment Agencies