The Moodle Reader Module for Extensive Reading

The Moodle Reader Module for Extensive Reading

Thomas N. RobbMakimi Kano

Kyoto Sangyo University

Thomas N. RobbMakimi Kano

Kyoto Sangyo University

Study Time RequiredStudy Time Required

http://www.prolingua.co.jp/toeic_e.html

Main Problems with ER Implementation

Main Problems with ER Implementation

• Purchasing books.• Managing books.• Getting students to read.• Checking that the student

have actually done the reading.

• Purchasing books.• Managing books.• Getting students to read.• Checking that the student

have actually done the reading.

Main Problems with ER Implementation

Main Problems with ER Implementation

• Purchasing books.• Managing books.• Getting students to read.• Checking that the student

have actually done the reading.

• Purchasing books.• Managing books.• Getting students to read.• Checking that the student

have actually done the reading.

Characteristics of MoodleReader (1)Characteristics of MoodleReader (1)

• An interface for students to take quizzes on the books that they have read and to keep track of the results.

• Quizzes for 600+ books, mainly graded readers, can be downloaded and used with the module. Teachers can also create their own quizzes.

• Students collect a book cover for every book read and quiz successfully passed.

• The module allows access to books at specific difficulty levels that can be set for each student.

• Students are automatically promoted to a higher difficulty level after reading a specified number of books.

• An interface for students to take quizzes on the books that they have read and to keep track of the results.

• Quizzes for 600+ books, mainly graded readers, can be downloaded and used with the module. Teachers can also create their own quizzes.

• Students collect a book cover for every book read and quiz successfully passed.

• The module allows access to books at specific difficulty levels that can be set for each student.

• Students are automatically promoted to a higher difficulty level after reading a specified number of books.

Characteristics of MoodleReader (2)Characteristics of MoodleReader (2)

• A configurable feature enforces a time delay between books so that students pace themselves rather than rushing at the end of the marking period.

• The module can be installed in a school’s own Moodle system, or can be used via a course in the freely available http://moodlereader.org site.

• Currently being used by about 20 secondary schools and universities.

• Further information: http://moodlereader.org Username: readerlook Password: takealook

• A configurable feature enforces a time delay between books so that students pace themselves rather than rushing at the end of the marking period.

• The module can be installed in a school’s own Moodle system, or can be used via a course in the freely available http://moodlereader.org site.

• Currently being used by about 20 secondary schools and universities.

• Further information: http://moodlereader.org Username: readerlook Password: takealook

The Program at KSUThe Program at KSU

Faculty of Foreign Languages• All 1st & 2nd year students (~400)

Faculty of International Culture• All 1st year students (~220)

General Education (1st year, 2x/wk)• Oral Communication (~1645)• Reading Skills (~1235)

• 471 students taking both OC & RS

Faculty of Foreign Languages• All 1st & 2nd year students (~400)

Faculty of International Culture• All 1st year students (~220)

General Education (1st year, 2x/wk)• Oral Communication (~1645)• Reading Skills (~1235)

• 471 students taking both OC & RS

Gen’l Ed Students by Course & Level

Gen’l Ed Students by Course & Level

Procedure at KSUProcedure at KSU

• Students borrow from the Shitei Tosho (reserved books) section of the library

• They read the book then take the quiz online either in school or at home

• The must accumulate 5 points by the end of the term.

• They lose 1 point from their final grade for each book not read, receive extra points for extra books read.

• Students borrow from the Shitei Tosho (reserved books) section of the library

• They read the book then take the quiz online either in school or at home

• The must accumulate 5 points by the end of the term.

• They lose 1 point from their final grade for each book not read, receive extra points for extra books read.

Choosing a

book from the

library

Choosing a

book from the

library

Grade Reader Level Equivalences

Grade Reader Level EquivalencesThe San-Dai Level Chart

Student InterfaceStudent Interface

Student Interface (2)Student Interface (2)

Quiz TypesQuiz Types

Multiple Choice Who said this (to who)?

True/False Ordering (below)

Administrative FunctionsAdministrative Functions

Class OverviewClass Overview

Student Book RatingsStudent Book Ratings

Tagging Duplicate TitlesTagging Duplicate Titles

MoodleReader.Org SiteMoodleReader.Org Site

User School ThemeUser School Theme

Security IssuesSecurity Issues

Results to DateResults to Date

Test Results by Class Level and Books Read

Test Results by Class Level and Books Read

Final Test 2009 vs 2010 (Reading)

Final Test 2009 vs 2010 (Reading)

Final Test 2009 vs 2010 (Listening)

Final Test 2009 vs 2010 (Listening)

Time Spent ReadingTime Spent Reading

Quiz Accesses by Hour of Day

Quiz Accesses by Hour of Day

Potential for Widespread ER Adoption

Potential for Widespread ER Adoption

• Curriculum-level implementation• Gets many students reading

(Good)• Teachers may not have “bought

in” (Bad)

• Curriculum-level implementation• Gets many students reading

(Good)• Teachers may not have “bought

in” (Bad)

Curriculum-Level Implemetation

Curriculum-Level Implemetation

• Decision to implement• Incorporation in the syllabus• Diffusion of requirements to

students• Supplying results to teachers for

their evaluations

• Decision to implement• Incorporation in the syllabus• Diffusion of requirements to

students• Supplying results to teachers for

their evaluations

Changes in School EcologyChanges in School Ecology• Network Center – Originally unwilling to

add non-standard modules to school Moodle but will now install MoodleReader

• Library – Budget no longer a problem, but space is!

• Many students appreciate the chance to do extensive reading (but of course, some hate it). opportunity to inform the Gakucho and deans about the ER program and English curriculum.

• Network Center – Originally unwilling to add non-standard modules to school Moodle but will now install MoodleReader

• Library – Budget no longer a problem, but space is!

• Many students appreciate the chance to do extensive reading (but of course, some hate it). opportunity to inform the Gakucho and deans about the ER program and English curriculum.

Reserve Book Borrowings by 1st Yrs

Reserve Book Borrowings by 1st Yrs

Future EnhancementsFuture Enhancements• Help finding interesting books

Based on:• Similarity in genre & level• Student evaluations• Amazon-style “If you liked this book, then try…”

• Student reviews• Teachers can force language use (English) or

allow students to use native language• Students can evaluate the reviews of other

students• Teachers can use evaluations for student

evaluations• Teachers can disallow reviews of other students’

reviews from same school or class

• Help finding interesting booksBased on:• Similarity in genre & level• Student evaluations• Amazon-style “If you liked this book, then try…”

• Student reviews• Teachers can force language use (English) or

allow students to use native language• Students can evaluate the reviews of other

students• Teachers can use evaluations for student

evaluations• Teachers can disallow reviews of other students’

reviews from same school or class

Further InformationFurther Information

Further information: http://moodlereader.org

Username: readerlook Password: takealook

Tom’s Contact Info: tom@moodlereader.orgtom@tomrobb.com

Further information: http://moodlereader.org

Username: readerlook Password: takealook

Tom’s Contact Info: tom@moodlereader.orgtom@tomrobb.com