Common Feedback Tools

Knowing the right tools for the job is a big part of designing an effective feedback strategy. Moodle has a wide variety of tools, each with different affordances and constraints. Four forum types and email options are stressed in this course due to the Student-to-Instructor, Instructor-to-Student, and Student-to-Student interaction that can be created using these tools

How have we used  Forums and email to meet these needs?
Visit the forums in the teachingSOLUTIONS course to see which purposes they served. There is more than one type of Forum used, and these differences are controlled in the Forum Settings.

Email has also been used frequently, and we highly recommend adding the Quickmail block to your course. This allows you to send email to course participants directly from Moodle.

Become familiar with using Forums on Moodle by viewing the Forum Tutorial.

Tips and tutorials on additional Moodle tool options for feedback:

Moodle designers are also social constructivists, so Moodle tools (the resources and activities drop downs) offer numerous possibilities for instructors.  Additional Moodle Tools often used for communication and feedback include:

•  Activity/Course Completion -  Check out this short tutorial on the basics. For those of us who like to mark things off our lists, this feature adds a box next to items of your choice.  Students can "check" them off when they are done, and you can even control details such as having them post twice to a forum first. 

• ZOOM sessions - A synchronous tool for simulating face to face communication in the online environment with possibilities including guest speakers.  Meetings can also be recorded to share with students. To request a ZOOM license, put in a help desk ticket or contact the Ed Tech Department at 995-1070.
  
  
• Glossary - Asynchronous tool with an area for multiple people to add comments and additional info. Almost unlimited possibilities, and can act almost as an RSS feed from people in the class to each other. There is also the Random Glossary Block that can be added to your course.
  
  
• Assignments - The most common tool for course work. Advanced uploading has options including rough draft submission built in directly. This activity includes options for group work and online text too.
  
  
• Gradebook also has areas for adding comments and feedback. Look for the tutorials that encompass Gradebook complexities or make an appointment with the Ed Tech Department.  
  
  
• Google Docs - Word processing tool with the ability to share documents and collaborate in groups.  Google tools can be used for group presentations, papers, and peer editing.
  
  
•  Databases and  Workshops are both powerful, asynchronous tools that can span lengthy and in-depth project work allowing for multiple levels of communication between instructors and students/participants. We recommend working closely with our department for these initially as the proper set-up is key to success.