00: The ICT CSTT Course Orientation

Topic: Orientation to Moodle

Overview

Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is one of the most popular Learning Management Systems (LMS) used globally for teaching and learning. It is open-source software, which means it is freely available for institutions to install, customize, and use for their training and academic purposes.
In Tanzania, most higher learning institutions use Moodle to support distance and blended learning — enabling learners to access study materials, participate in online discussions, submit assignments, and track their learning progress anywhere and anytime.

Moodle supports the principles of Open Educational Resources (OER) — promoting free access to learning content, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across borders (UNESCO, 2019).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lecture, learners should be able to:

1. Understand and use the Moodle Dashboard effectively.
2. Navigate courses and sections using the Navigation Block.
3. Access and utilize different types of learning resources, including OER materials.
4. Install and use the Moodle Mobile App for flexible learning.
5. Engage in activities such as forums, quizzes, and assignments for interactive learning.

1. The Dashboard

Definition

The Dashboard is the first page you see after logging into Moodle. It serves as your central workspace — a personal learning control center where you can access everything related to your studies.

Key Features

• Course Overview: Displays all courses you are enrolled in.
• Upcoming Events: Lists assignments, quizzes, and other deadlines.
• Calendar: Helps you plan and track your learning activities.
• Notifications: Alerts for new messages, feedback, or announcements.
• Private Messages: Enables one-on-one communication with instructors or classmates.

Why It Matters

The dashboard helps learners stay organized and manage time effectively. It ensures you never miss a submission or a learning activity.

Simple Example

When you log in, you can immediately see that your “ICT in Education” assignment is due tomorrow and a new discussion post has been added by your tutor. You can quickly plan what to do next.

2. The Navigation Block

Definition

The Navigation Block is a tool that allows users to move easily through Moodle courses, activities, and sections without getting lost.

Key Features

• Quick access to courses, grades, participants, and course activities.
• Breadcrumb trail (a line showing your current location, e.g., Home > My Courses > ICT Orientation > Module 1).
• Simplifies movement from one section to another.

Why It Matters

It saves time and reduces confusion, especially for new users navigating multiple courses.

Example

You can quickly move from Lecture Notes to Discussion Forum using the navigation block without returning to the homepage.

3. Accessing Learning Resources

Moodle allows learners to access a variety of materials uploaded by instructors.

Types of Resources

1. PDFs: Contain lecture notes, reading lists, and handouts.
2. Videos: Recordings of lessons, tutorials, and demonstrations.
3. Books: Multi-page structured content for in-depth study.
4. Web Links: Links to external references or Open Educational Resources (OER).

OER Integration

Open Educational Resources are freely available materials that anyone can use, adapt, and share legally under Creative Commons licenses. Examples include:

• OpenLearn (The Open University, UK) – www.open.edu/openlearn
• OER Africa – www.oerafrica.org
• TESSA (Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa) – www.tessafrica.net

By integrating OER, Moodle promotes open learning and resource sharing — reducing costs and expanding access to quality education (Butcher & Moore, 2015).

Why It Matters

Using diverse resources such as PDFs, videos, and OER enhances understanding and makes learning interactive and engaging.

Example

A learner reads a PDF lecture on ICT integration, watches a YouTube tutorial embedded in Moodle, and accesses an OER link from TESSA for further reading on classroom technology use.

4. Moodle Mobile App

Definition

The Moodle Mobile App (available for Android and iOS) extends learning beyond the computer. It enables students to access learning materials anywhere and anytime, even with limited internet connectivity.

Steps to Use

1. Download the Moodle App from Google Play or the Apple Store.
2. Enter your institution’s Moodle URL (e.g., https://moodle.out.ac.tz).
3. Log in using your username and password.
4. Access your courses, download resources, and view grades.

Key Features

• Access and view all enrolled courses.
• Download files for offline study.
• Receive notifications of announcements and due dates.
• Submit assignments and participate in discussions.
• Sync offline activities once you reconnect to the internet.

Why It Matters

The app provides flexibility for teachers and learners in remote or rural areas where stable internet access is a challenge — supporting inclusive, lifelong learning.

Example

A teacher traveling from Dodoma to Singida downloads course readings using the Moodle app and studies them offline during the trip.

5. Activities in Moodle

Types of Interactive Activities

1. Forums: Enable learners to share ideas, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
2. Quizzes: Help assess understanding of topics with immediate feedback.
3. Assignments: Allow students to submit work digitally for grading and feedback.
4. Feedback Tools: Let instructors collect opinions from learners.

Why It Matters

Active participation in these activities improves engagement, reflection, and peer collaboration — all essential components of digital competency for teachers.

6. Summary Table

Feature	Purpose / Use
Dashboard	Central workspace for courses, events, and communication.
Navigation Block	Simplifies movement between courses and sections.
Accessing Resources	Use PDFs, videos, books, and OER for learning.
Moodle Mobile App	Enables flexible, offline, and mobile learning.
Activities	Encourage participation through forums, quizzes, and assignments.

Key Takeaway

Moodle is a powerful platform for digital learning that empowers Tanzanian teachers to adopt ICT in education effectively. By mastering its features — from the dashboard to the mobile app — teachers can support student-centered learning, collaborate globally, and integrate Open Educational Resources (OER) into classroom practice.

References 

• Butcher, N., & Moore, A. (2015). Understanding Open Educational Resources. Commonwealth of Learning (COL). https://oercommons.org
• UNESCO. (2019). Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER). Paris: UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370936
• Moodle HQ. (2024). Moodle User Guide. Retrieved from https://docs.moodle.org
• Open University of Tanzania (OUT). (2023). Moodle Orientation Guide for Distance Learners. Dar es Salaam: OUT Press.
• Commonwealth of Learning (COL). (2022). Integrating OER in Teacher Education: Guidelines and Best Practices. Vancouver: COL.
• Anderson, T. (2017). The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (2nd ed.). Athabasca University Press.