On Wednesday  North Coast Region – Central Network lauched its EGATs (Electronic Gifted and Talented) programme using the Coffs Harbour High School Moodle.  Region staff have spent many hours preparing a vast array of activities for students, and have adapted traditionally based activities well to an online format.

Student will mostly use the Moodle Assignment Activities to upload their completed tasks, however participation in weekly guided discusion forums ensures that have the opportunity to network virtually with other students and to seek assistance for teacher/mentors as well.  A traditional “journal” has been replaced by a student blog, that will be checked by assigned mentors each week. For many students participating it will be there first opportunity to engage in a “virtual community” and this offers not only the opportunity for them to complete GAT activities but also to learn the nuances of social networking in a safe online environment.

I Like Martin Dougiamas’s method of analysing the pedagogial value of various Moodle Activites (taken from http://www.slideshare.net/moodler/moodle-development-educause-australia-6th-may-2009) and like the way that a programme such as EGATs uses a wide variety of these different activities. And all this was set up by a DET consultant who has never used Moodle before and spent 2 afternoons being instructed in how it works.  An excellent example of how easy Moodle is to begin using (oh and I did a deal where she will present just how easy it is to use to CHHS staff when we begin using Moodle in earnest later this year).

There was initial fear that some of the GATs students would not cope with the use of unfamiliar technology, however this was certainly not the case. The enthusisam they showed was motivating for parents and teachers alike. All students logged on as soon as they got home, and continued the discussions they had started.