A Review of :
Using Lessons in Moodle : – An Illustrated Guide by Mark J. Rollins.

What a concept, a lesson on lessons.  Yes, I am still new to #Moodle, but I do have a pretty good grasp on how to do everything on a level that I would describe as a above average.  One item that does create me some minor discomfort is the lesson module.  Well, thanks to @muppetmasteruk for writing a nice, clean guide on lessons.  The book is Using Lessons in Moodle – An Illustrated Guide by Mark J. Rollins and it’s available for purchase on Lulu.com (a self-publishing platform) for $9.40 (also available as a digital download for ~$5).

This guide takes you through the basics and gives you some visuals to help illustrate the flow of lessons.  I do think that the hardest part for most of us, when creating lessons is working on the flow.  Mark, aka @muppetmasteruk, sums it up very well.  He reminds us that a lesson is a series of web pages.  He touches on the concept of designing your lesson first before trying to put it in Moodle .  I know we are supposed to be green but it is ok to use paper; design your lesson on paper (be sure to recycle the paper later).

If I could make a wish list for this guide or future guides, I would request information/comments concerning parts of modules that don’t always work.  For example, I have yet to make Powerpoint slideshow work in the lesson module, (that’s a hint if someone wants to address this issue).  Another request would be more information about Blooms Taxonomy and Moodle and how Moodle helps.

Visit Mark J. Rollins’ blog site: http://muppetmasteruk.blogspot.com/ to read about this guide, learn about Moodle and to see his newest title Moodle for Teachers: an Illustrated Guide, $23.53 at Lulu. Using Lessons in Moodle : – An Illustrated Guide is good, give it a read if you’re interested in springing the 10 bucks.  Proceeds go towards the MuppetmasterUK producing more great/free resources such as http://e-teachuk.co.uk/.  You can purchase it online.  Let me know what you think about the guide, you can contact me at @moodlenator or comment below.

Note that MoodleMonthly received access to a free copy of Using Lessons in Moodle after requesting one.  We are not affiliated with Mark (but do appreciate his hard work).

Related:

• http://e-teachuk.co.uk/ – a Moodle with a great free tutorial (videos included)
• MuppetmasterUK in the Twittersphere
• MuppetmasterUK in the blogosphere

Next step is for the viewers to call 1-900-Moodle # to vote on their favorite courses.  Once we spent all our minutes and monies to vote for  Uncle Bob’s Antique Refinishing Course, the real judges step in, and this is what they thought about the Coolest of the Cool Courses.

Best Application of Moodle Activities.
1st – Stuart Mealor with Concepts of ICT
Judge Randy “DOG!, I love the acronyms.  But, we’re talking about activities, and DOG, your activities bark, fierce!  I loved the Learning Diary and your “How big is your hard drive” choice activity. “

Best Use of Media
1st – Edward Pickering-Symes with Climate Change Course
Judge Kara D “ I love your choice of media.  The interactive map quiz is awesome.  The Detective kit is way cool and Clim City is just plain hot!

Primary & Secondary
Primary:  1st – Christine Pannen with Deep Blue – rund um die Ozeane der Welt
Secondary: 1st – Martin Kurz with IT-Unterricht
Judge Ellen:  “I love these sites!  I can’ t read German, but, I love these sites!  I love the looks, it works for kids and teenagers.  And, it works for adults like me, who act like kids.  I’m sure I can’t do justice to your sites, so I wont try.  I do appreciate your efforts, and I understand your audiences.  Nice job!

Tertiary
1st – Janina Dewitz with eLearning and Moodle Essentials +++Lite+++
Judge Simon:  “I’m going to make this brief,  brilliant!”  The slide share/show of “The Art of Instant Moodles”, is perfect.  Great educational lesson on copyright, I can relate to wanting to protect my work.  But, the top piece by far is your file management lesson, superb!”

Overall, all courses are wonderful and there is a lesson to be learned from each and everyone one of them.
Give a shout out to  @moodlehelen and everyone who helped with the competition.  They deserve a huge thank you and congratulations.   To quote a former Idol judge (Paula), “This competition is going to turn the Moodle industry upside down!”.  Share your thoughts about the Cool Course Competition, send me a note @moodlenator.