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= = = M OODLE /O pen C lassroom I ntegrated, I nnovated & I mproving Y our C lassroom = Deborah R. Hale and Antha Holt

We believe in the idea of a blended or hybrid environment for learning. No longer is just a face-to-face classroom sufficient to meet the needs of our students. You will be pleased to know that this type of environment may be accomplished easily. You can find several solutions out there in the heady world of technology solutions. But one solution that rises to the top in our opinion is the OpenClassroomServer herein referred to as OCS. A very easy solution to providing students in and out of your classroom with a neat, clean, and easy online environment. Yes, it fits nicely into the category of LMS or learning management systems.

Want to know more about LMS choices for your learning environments, consider the following:

 * Using the **Open Classroom Server****or**
 * Using a **MOODLE** format on a classroom site server __**or**__


 * Some other LMS offerings to Achieve a Similar Result**
 * Other online environments like **Instructure**, Canvas
 * Fedena
 * Demo Moodle Site try out and experiment today with any of the roles that are found in these types of learning environments. This is very cool. Get in and try on for size the role of administering a MOODLE site or be a student.

= = =Discussion Forums Why do online in your face-to-face classroom? - Hear from Everyone in the classroom next 10 minutes. . . the next 5. . .=

//This// is precisely why you need to experience and trial the use of online forums/discussions in your classroom soon. You can enhance, expand, and engage every student. Coupled with student training, instruction, and education on proper and effective posting, and tied to some very good questions. You will be amazed at the resulting rich environment that becomes second nature to everyone. Just tossing online forum discussion out there is not good enough. We recommend a stratified and planned roll-out of the online component of your current classes through the forum/discussion activity. Change the face-to-face experience for students today with online experiences. Assist them in getting ready for their future by applying 21st Century Skills and ISTE Student Standards.

**Forum/Discussion Etiquette Rules and Guidelines**
= =


 * 1) Always have and area for student social connections in your class in a special forum. This can allow for that feeling that nags at every online learner. The feeling of something you have to tell everyone right now because you thought of it. Make sure they have a location to post that. It in can be in the . ..
 * 2) With students input and assistance create a rubric for acceptable forum postings (you will want to repeat this process as students have more experience for a total of at least 3 times.)
 * ===Beginners (including younger students)===
 * ===Intermediate Forum===
 * ===Advanced Forum Users===


 * Polling and surveying - in the classroom (OpenClassroom/MOODLE/GOOGLE Forms)
 * Glossaries - where students contribute
 * Assignments
 * Quizzes

=**Resources We Use to Help Create Learning Activities in MOODLE and OCS**=

International Association for K-12 Online Learning MORE Web 2.0 LInks We Use as Products for Project Based Learning or for Online Activities. These may be linked to or unloaded into a forum.
 * iNACOL**
 * 4 Teachers
 * Rubistar -
 * Project Based Checklist - Students create their own evaluation tool.-
 * WebPosterWizard -
 * Thinkfinity
 * ReadWriteThink -
 * Illuminations - Dynamic Paper
 * Xpeditions - Atlas
 * EdSitement - Student Resources
 * Smithsonian - Interactives & Media
 * Tool Index @ Science Netlinks
 * Good & Services @ Econoedlink
 * BigHugeLabs - Trading Cards are here and much more
 * AnswerGarden
 * CrowdMap
 * WorditOut
 * Wallwisher

Looking for an instructional learning model to utilize. Try this one on for size. We like the simplicity of this model.
 * Assure Model

Students Earn the Right to Post in Classroom Online Forums by Following the Rules and Demonstrating Their Common Sense and Understanding of the POWER OF WORDS . ..
Beginner Card

Intermediate Card

Advanced Card Documents from Thinkfinity.org and ASSURE


 * [[file:bio-cube_plansheet.pdf]]
 * [[file:Alphabet Organizer.pdf]]
 * [[file:assuremodel.docx]]