The Moodle Reader Module: A Progress Report Thomas N. Robb Kyoto Sangyo University

Purpose of the Reader Module To provide an efficient, easily manageable means of testing the comprehension of texts used for extensive reading (and thus the ability to assess whether students have read the books they claim to have read). To ensure that students only select books at their own reading level in order to prevent frustration and overuse of the dictionary. To encourage regular reading by pacing the quiz-taking times To provide a mild sense of competition and an additional incentive to reading through the cover "stamp collection"

Choosing a book from the library

Comparison of AR Program and the Reader Module Approach Moodle Reader ModuleAccelerated Reader ( Old System ) Students can only select from books at their current Reading Level, or one below it. Students can select any book that has an AR quiz. Students are promoted to the next level after gaining 6 points at their current level. No promotion system. Books are basically all worth 1 point, but some are worth more or less purely based on their relative length compared to graded readers at that level. Books have a point value that is based on both length and difficulty. Students may take the tests anywhere, even at home. Student can take the quizzes only under supervised conditions. Quizzes are randomly generated from a large question bank. There are several question types. AR quizzes consist of 10 unvarying multiple-choice questions. Quizzes are timed – Maximum 15 minutes.Students can take up to 30 minutes to complete a quiz. In order prevent a last-minute rush, students may take a quiz only every third day. Students can take multiple quizzes on the same day.

Question Types True/False Multiple Choice Matching questions Who said this? Ordering type

Benefits to the Student Student appreciate the chance to confirm that they understood the book They enjoy the challenge of using their language ability to successfully pass the quiz They take pleasure in adding book covers to their “stamp collection” Promotion to a higher level provides them with a sense of progress

Testing vs Learning The quizzes are not just a testing tool. There are many opportunities for learning, as well.

Learning Opportunites

Comparison of Student Accesses – AR vs MR

Quizzes Taken Friday, June 6 Passed: 243; Failed: 51; Total: 294

Analysis of AR vs. Reader Module More books read. 4.7 per students for AR, vs. 8.3 for the Reader Module for the same time period A more even distribution of reading. (AR students could not take quizzes on weekends and tended to postpone their reading to the end of the reading period.) Fewer quiz failures: Greater comprehension?

Two Approaches to Implementation 1. Install the MoodleReader Module on your own server 2. Request a course on MoodleReader.Org

Setting Up the Module (1) Install the "Reader Module" in their Moodle course. Import, from moodlereader.org, quizzes for the books that you have in their own ER collection. You may also create their own quizzes for any books for which quizzes are not available. Determine which reading level the books should be set at (if they wish to depart from the recommended levels in the repository) and set the initial level for each student.

Set-up (2) Set parameters such as –target point goal –the time limit –where quizzes may be accessed –passing percentage, –how frequently quiz taking is to be permitted Determine a policy for how points are gained, or how total points above and below the set target point value are to be integrated into the students’ final class evaluation.

Procedure for Students Students read a book and then take the quiz. If students pass the quiz, they are awarded one point, none if they fail. –Books at any level that are considerably longer or shorter than the average graded reader at that level may have a higher or lower point value. When students have passed a specific number of quizzes at their current level, they are promoted to the next level. They can still take a set number quizzes on books one level above or below.

Color-Coded Levels

New Admin Menu

Student Summary Report

Level Adjustment Page

Implementation Challenges Funding and coding Obtaining cover images from publishers Problem of multiple editions Getting publishers to create quizzes Quality control of teacher-made quizzes Getting other schools to participate Syncing authentication systems

Another Lesson Learned Implementation of technology for student use across an entire curriculum Sidesteps the problem of requiring or expecting individual teachers to have the know-how, time and/or enthusiasm to implement a tech component But this requires:

Curriculum-wide Implementation The authority to require it An adequate server and necessary software The human resources (ideally tech-proficient teacher) to implement and support it, including system back-up A mechanism for making the student grade reports available to the individual instructors so that they can incorporate the grades into their students’ final evaluation.

Questions/Discussion? Logins: user-low OR user-mid with same for the password