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EDU5188 - Assignment 1_ Critical Review of 2 Digital Tools - Raman Deo

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Digital Tools Evaluation and Suggestions for Classroom Use

Diane Watt – EDU5188

In this evaluation, I will be comparing Google Classroom and Moodle. Both are types of Learning Management Systems. I have used Google Classroom extensively during my teaching at Elementary school. However, Moodle is an LMS that I have never used before and do not know much about. Although, in my English as a Second Language teaching, most times teachers tell me they use Moodle while teaching. I would like to do a critical review and comparison of Moodle, to increase my knowledge and understanding of it.

A.  Critical review of the Digital Tool for education: Google Classroom

1.     General Description:

“Google Classroom is an all-in-one place for teaching and learning. The easy-to-use and secure tool helps educators manage, measure, and enrich learning experiences” (edu.google.com). Google Classroom is built for collaboration between the teachers and their students. It provides a platform where teachers can keep track of assignments, grades, and general posts. It is a free platform.

2.     Tool Features:

Google Classroom features “stream” where everyone can post, “grades” where teachers and students can keep track of grades, and “assignment submission tabs” for students to submit their individual assignments. It also allows students to comment on each other’s post, only if the teacher allows it through privacy settings.

3.     Affordances:

Google Classroom has a user-friendly interface, which is very simple to understand and navigate. Teachers and students do not need much expertise to use it, as it is very straight forward and easy. The integration of Google’s apps makes it versatile also. It can easily access and attach Google Docs, Sheets, and even the Google Drive. Students can work on these apps and share with their teachers seamlessly.

Google Classroom’s accessibility also makes it versatile nowadays, where teachers can check the assignments of their students on-the-go. When I use Google Classroom in my teaching practice, I make sure to download its app on my phone or a handy tablet that I can carry in my purse. When I am in a bus or car, I use this app to check students’ assignments. In this wat I am able to save time, and get more work done efficiently.

Students in the Classroom are able to participate in discussion on each other’s post and even on their own assignments with the teacher. In this way, timely feedback and support is achieved. Students are able to measure their progress through proper grading and a proper spread of the grades and marks. In addition, teachers and students can see when an assignment has been submitted late, and whose assignments are missing. It keeps grades in one place and measures an average too.

Overall, it is a great platform for onsite and distance learning both. It keeps everything in one place, allows for easier access to other Google apps, and connects teachers and students online.

4.     Limitations:

Google Classroom cannot be customized. We can only use whatever the platform provides. For example, in Canvas, new Tabs can be added. But in Classroom this is not possible. Moreover, if an assessment needs to be created on the Classroom itself, it proves to be very basic. When I used it, I generally prepared my assessments on a Word document and uploaded them on the assignment tabs.

Since Google Classroom is cloud based, it needs a stable internet connection. Sometimes, when my internet is lagging, it could take very long to load a document or even a page. Furthermore, due to it being cloud based, there may be concerns of privacy. I am not sure how secure the Google Classroom is.

5.     Citations:

https://edu.google.com/workspace-for-education/classroom/#:~:text=Google%20Classroom%20is%20your%20all,measure%2C%20and%20enrich%20learning%20experiences.

B.   Critical review of Second Tool: Moodle

1.     General Description:

Moodle is an open-source learning management system and is free to download (moodle.com). It is a customizable e-learning solution.

2.     Tool Features:

In Moodle, the teachers can create and organize learning materials in the form of documents and multimedia. There are discussion forums for students and teachers to engage in asynchronous discussions. Similarly, they can collaborate in projects and assignments. Moreover, Moodle connects with interactive activities, and provides comprehensive grading system. Student progress in Moodle can be gathered through its reporting and analytics features. In addition, it is customizable in appearance and functionality.

3.     Affordances:

There are many features in Moodle, which include content management, discussion forums, assessment tools, grading options and so on. Teachers can customize grading according to their assessment criteria. The built-in gradebook allows teachers to put in grades for a centralized metric. In Moodle, teachers can create rubrics, assign points, and help with transparent grading. Moreover, peer assessment is an interesting feature in Moodle, where teachers can set peers to review another’s work. Teachers can also download submissions for offline grading, hence it can be used where there is no internet connection, provided that material has been downloaded.

The customizability factor of Moodle is great. Not only the themes of the pages can be customized, but the course format can be altered according to their choice The course could be planned weekly, monthly, and so on. Moodle is available in multiple languages, thus it can be used for English as a Second Language classes, like teachers mention.

Moodle is self-hosted, therefore the institution itself can control its privacy and security. They can have different compliance requirements. There are more configuration options in the interface to align with the institution’s requirements.

4.     Limitations:

Compared to Google Classroom, Moodle would take longer to understand and learn to use. It also needs a more tech savvy person to use it. Because Moodle is self-hosted, it requires more maintenance and updates, to keep it in check. It also seems that the Moodle mobile experience is not as seamless as the Google Classroom. Furthermore, the maintenance and updates can be challenging at times, as it may require technical support.

5.     Citations:

https://moodle.com/about/

https://moodle.com

https://www.commonsense.org/education/selections-for-learning

Compare and Use of the Tools:

If I am teaching at the Elementary School, I will definitely use Google Classroom, because of its ease of connecting with Google’s various apps, that are shareable and easier to grade. Google Classroom also does not require manual updates and maintenance, so it is easier on the institution. While teaching, it is tough to learn something that is technically more challenging. Therefore, using Google Classroom will remove that portion of learning.

On the other hand, if I teach as an ESL teacher, I foresee myself using Moodle, because of its ability to work in different languages. It will make life simple for learners from various parts of the world, fluent in different languages. Also, Moodle can be customized according to the type of ESL class I may be teaching, for example LINC, EAP, ELT and so on.

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