Moodle and Blackboard A Comparison and Contrast Essay Example

Moodle and Blackboard: A Comparison and Contrast Paper This educator Is to propose the potential learning management system (ALMS) for the School District. After much pondering, this educator narrowed the ALMS choices to either Blackboard or Model. With the intent to identify, which ALMS system would best serve the needs of the faculty and students, this educator examined both options and reached a conclusion. This educator recommends Model be designated as the sole learning management system for the School District. These recommendations are based on how fiscally responsible this decision to choose either Blackboard or Model. Background Learning Management Systems Is a software system that delivers coursework online. The School District already provides an optional website though Dweeb 2. 0 (Web 2. 0 platform) and AERIES (Student Information System). The Instance has arisen for the School District to collaboratively evaluate and adopt an updated ALMS software for the 21st century, with either Model or Blackboard. Introduction Both Model and Blackboard offer standard ALMS functionality, integrated learning outcome, a mobile polling app, an ISO course app, language localization, and a plug- in video-recording option. Additionally, both Model and Blackboard offer free Administrative Support, but charge for Secure Socket Layer (yearly fee), Hosting Fee (yearly fee), and Mobile Set-up (one-time fee). However, Blackboard is a Commercial ALMS that does not offer global support, but offers an Android course app. We will write a custom essay sample on Moodle and Blackboard: A Comparison and Contrast specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Moodle and Blackboard: A Comparison and Contrast specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Moodle and Blackboard: A Comparison and Contrast specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Blackboard charges course delivery, test Instance, and content/community fees. On the other hand, Model Is an open source ALMS with global support and free course delivery, test Instance, and content/community. However, Model charges one-time fees and does not have an Android course app. This provides data to make an informed session about whether the School District should purchase either Blackboard or Model as its new Learning Management System; the systems were compared and contrasted. This comparison and contrast features cost effectiveness, ALMS functionality, app support, product support, and instances of use. ALMS Options: Blackboard and Model Educational processes within a technology-based environment are managed by Learning Management System software. The purpose of the ALMS Is toward consolidation and providing a single, common Infrastructure to manage and track learning and development initiatives across the multiple organization yester that delivers coursework online. Both Blackboard and Model are learning management systems. These Alms are extremely popular. For e-learning programs to work, no matter whether they are produced in print, multi-media, or on-line, designers and developers must build a course with a strong foundation in these three pillars of e-learning [androgyny (how well adults learn), support (what help do they need) and logistics (how to reach learners with timely learning resources and support)] (Swan 2012). Both Blackboard and Model Alms focus on androgyny, support, and logistics. Blackboard and Model: A Comparison (yearly fee), and Mobile Set-up (one-time fee). The comparison matrix is shown below in Table 1 gives a clear view of the similarities between Model and Blackboard. Features Blackboard Model Standard ALMS Functionality Mobile Polling App ISO Course App Language Localization Plug-Len Video-Recording Secure Socket Layer (500$) Administrative Support (free) Hosting Fee Mobile Set-up Fees Both Model and Blackboard offer a standard ALMS functionality. A standard ALMS includes student enrollment in courses, restricted access, customization enabled, ability to upload files (e. G. Word docs, Powering, audio files), linking to external web sites, allows zip course, and provides on CD to students (Learning Systems Support 2009). Additionally, a standard ALMS is SCORE compliant, has a discussion forum, has synchronous chat, has testing, has a drop box, has course calendar, has grades, allows for monitoring student participation, allow for copy course over from semester, and has customized template (Learning Systems Support 2009). Important features both of these Alms offers are integrated learning outcomes and language localization. Integrated learning outcomes establish the foundation and direction for the program. In addition, language localization allows students to learn in their native language. Additionally, they offer optional plug-in video recording and mobile APS. Moreover, both of these Alms require similar security, hosting, and mobile fees. Finally, Model and Blackboard offer free administrative support. Blackboard is a Commercial ALMS that does not offer global support, but offers an Android course app. Blackboard charges course delivery, test instance, and content/ community fees. On the other hand, Model is an open source ALMS with global purport and free course delivery, test instance, and content/community. However, Model charges one-time fees and does not have an Android course app. The contrast matrix is shown below in Table 2 gives a clear view of Blackboard and Models differences. Commercial ALMS Open Source ALMS Global Support Course Delivery Fee Test Instance (free) Content/Community Fee Android course app One-time fees Cheaper Overall Price Both Model and Blackboard represent two different types of Alms: open source and commercial. Open source Alms are software available to the public and the code can be modified. Open Source Alms are flexible and customizable, with no license or hardware costs. Most can connect to both social media sites and mobile platforms. On the other hand, Commercial ALMS are software available to the public, but the code is not public. Commercial Alms are flexible and customizable, but have license and hardware costs. One important feature that Model offers is global support, which Blackboard lacks. Global support means that that software and any technological issues are solved quickly. Additionally, Model offers free test instance, but Blackboard charges a fee. Test instances means how quickly the test is able to e accessed quickly. One important feature that Blackboard has is an Android course app, and Model does not have this app. Moreover, Blackboard and Model fees differ. Blackboard fees include a course delivery fee, a test instance fee, and content/ community which cost a school 34,600$ a year. However, Model requires one-time fees of 5,150$. Key Considerations According to the CSS Channel Islands Academic Technology Services (TATS) Dare to Compare: Blackboard 9 to Model: A Learning Management Systems Evaluation Annual Pricing: Secure Socket Layer (500$ a year), Administrative support (free), Testing Instance (free), and per-user price to host and deliver Meddlesome power 2011). Additionally, there are one time Fees: Flex page (3,400$), setup and configuration (1750$), mobile set-up (7,600$), Course conversion (175,000$), single Sign-on integration and Course integration (6,700$) (TATS 2011). This study can be misleading because the school is converting courses from Blackboard, so otherwise it is 40,850$ (TATS 2011). Furthermore, according to the CSS Channel Islands Academic Technology Services (TATS) Dare to Compare: Blackboard 9 to Model: A Learning Management Systems Evaluation Report, Blackboard costs for 400 students about 177,484$ for 2 years. Blackboard includes Annual Pricing: Administrative support (free), Course Delivery (11600$), Hosting (46,642$ ), Test Instance (13,000$), Secure Socket Layer(500$), Content/Community (10,000$ ), and mobile set-up (7,000$). Recommendations This educator strongly recommends Model be designated as the sole learning management system for the School District. These recommendations are based on how fiscally responsible this decision to choose either Blackboard or Model. The overall cost of Model is more cost effective than Blackboard. Blackboard and Model cost different. Model costs upfront 23,450$ and 10,700$ a year on for 3,400 students, while Blackboard costs upfront 88,742$ and 88,742$ a year on for 3400 students. Upfront Models cost per student is about 6. 90$ upfront and 3. 5$ a year on, Blackboard costs per student is about 26. 10$ upfront and 26. 10$ a year on. Conclusions Blackboard includes a standard ALMS functionality, integrated learning outcome, a mobile polling app, an Android/Los course app, built-in video-recording (its a plug- in), and language localization. Blackboard does not offer both Android/Los grading app, and global support. On the other hand, Model offers standard ALMS nationality, integrated learning outcome, a mobile polling app, an ISO course app, language localization, built-in video-recording (its a plug-in), and global support.

Solutions for Teaching in an Overcrowded Classroom

Solutions for Teaching in an Overcrowded Classroom One of the biggest issues facing schools and teachers today is overcrowding. A combination of an increasing population and a decrease in funding has caused class sizes to soar. In an ideal world, class sizes would be capped at 15 to 20 students. Unfortunately, many classrooms now regularly exceed 30 students, and it is not uncommon for there to be more than 40 students in a single class. Classroom overcrowding has sadly become the new normal. The issue is unlikely to go away anytime soon, so schools and teachers must create workable solutions to make the best out of a bad situation. Problems Created by Overcrowded Classrooms Teaching in an overcrowded classroom can be frustrating, overwhelming and stressful. An overcrowded classroom presents challenges that can feel nearly impossible to overcome, even to the  most effective teachers. Increasing class sizes is a sacrifice many schools have to make in order to keep their doors open in an era where schools are underfunded. Overcrowded classrooms create a number of problems for modern school systems, including: There is not enough of the teacher to go around. Students perform better when the teacher is able to give one-on-one or small-group instruction on a regular basis. As classroom size increases, this becomes increasingly difficult to do. Overcrowding increases classroom discipline issues. Large classes packed with students provide more opportunities for personality conflicts, tension, and general disruptive behavior. Even the best teachers find it difficult to manage an overcrowded classroom successfully and can find themselves spending more time managing their classroom than they do teaching. Struggling students fall further behind. Average and below-average students will struggle to advance in an overcrowded classroom. These students need more direct instruction, one-on-one instructional time and minimal distractions to maximize their learning potential. Standardized test scores suffer. While many teachers would argue that there is an overemphasis placed on test scores especially in America’s public schools, the chance of successfully improving proficiency on a standardized test decreases as the number of students in the classroom increases. The overall noise level is increased. This is an expected result when you increase the number of students in the classroom. Louder classrooms translate to distractions making it more difficult for students to learn and for teachers to teach. Teacher stress is increased often leading to teacher burnout. More students translate to more stress. Many excellent teachers are opting to leave the profession because it is not worth the stresses they deal with on a daily basis. Overcrowding leads to less access to equipment and technology. Space is already at a premium for many schools and there often is not enough room to accommodate specialties such as science or a computer lab. District Solutions to Overcrowded Classrooms Increasing class sizes should be the last resort for any school district. It should never be a starting point. There are many other ways to trim a budget. If all other options are exhausted, then schools may be forced to enact what is known as a reduction in force, where teachers and staff are laid off for budgetary reasons and class sizes subsequently increase. Even with tight budgets, districts can take certain actions to ease overcrowding issues: Take advantage of ability grouping. Schools should use benchmark assessments to determine student placement. Class sizes should be kept relatively small for those who perform unsatisfactorily. Students who are strong academically have less to lose in an overcrowded classroom. Provide teachers with an aide. Providing a teacher with an aide can help decrease the burden on the teacher. Aides receive a lower salary, so placing them in overcrowded classrooms would improve the student/teacher ratios while keeping costs low. Lobby for more funding. Schools administrators and teachers should regularly lobby their state and local representatives for more funding. They should keep them apprised of issues overcrowding is causing. Administrators can also invite them to spend time at their school so that they can see the impact of overcrowding. Solicit local donations. Private schools are able to keep their doors open due to tuition and to a large extent by soliciting donations. In tough financial times, public school administrators should not be afraid to solicit donations either. Teachers across the country have sought and used public donations for everything from technology upgrades to classroom basics like notebooks and paper. Every dollar counts and even garnering enough donations to hire an extra teacher or two each year can make a significant difference. Apply for grants. There are thousands of grant opportunities made available to schools each year. Grants exist for almost everything including technology, supplies, professional development and even teachers themselves. Teacher Solutions to Overcrowded Classrooms Teachers in an overcrowded classroom must be exceptionally organized. They have to be well prepared every day. They must develop a fluid system through trial and error to maximize the time they have with their students. Teachers can generate solutions for overcrowded classrooms by: Creating energetic and engaging lessons: Every lesson must be enticing, energetic and fun. It is easy for students in any class to be distracted and lose interest, but this is especially true in a large classroom. Lessons must be fast-paced, unique and full of attention grabbers. Tutoring struggling students who need more time after school: There simply is not enough time to provide struggling students with the one-on-one time that they need. Tutoring these students two to three times a week after school gives them a better shot at being successful. Assigning seats and rotating when necessary: With a large class, teachers must be structured, and this starts with strategically placed assigned seats. Students who are low academically and/or are behavior issues should be assigned seats toward the front. Students who are high academically and/or are well behaved should be provided seats toward the back. Understanding that the dynamics in an overcrowded classroom will be different: It is essential that teachers understand that there are significant differences in a classroom of 20 students compared to a classroom of 30 or 40. Teachers have no control over how many students are in their classes, so they cannot allow themselves to become stressed due to things that are out of their control. Teachers should understand that they are not going to be able to spend time with each student every day. They should understand that they will not get to know each student on a personal level. That is simply the reality in an overcrowded classroom. Lastly, structure is very important in any classroom but especially so in a classroom with lots of students. Teachers need to establish clear rules and expectations on day one, and then follow through as the year progresses. Clear rules and expectations will help create a much more manageable class- where students know what they are required to do and when- especially an overcrowded one.

Annotated Bibliography Writing

Annotated Bibliography Writing Annotated Bibliography Writing Annotated bibliography writing may look like a foreign language, but it is a great way to begin your work for any writing project, particularly projects over five pages in length. The annotated bibliography is a great way to gather information for large writing projects or simply to learn how to evaluate sources for use in papers. You will create an annotated bibliography from sources you gather from online, your school’s library, or even other course materials from your class. The annotated bibliography is designed to assist you in practicing formatting based on your school’s required formatting styles – such as APA and MLA; however, many schools will not strictly adhere to the styles as found online. Your best resources for developing the correct formatting for your annotated bibliography is to use the resources provided by your school to determine how the style has been assigned for use by your school – such as listing your sources as references, works cited, or the bibliography. Most schools will make at least minor changes to the style requirements, or be more lenient on some aspects while being very strict on others. In addition, when developing your annotated bibliography it is ok to summarize the works using the summary section of the source; however, the summary should not be a direct quote, and should include the key information in the source that will be most applicable to your particular project. This is to assist in assigning value to the source you have chosen. Finally, while writing the annotated bibliography consider how this source will play a role in meeting the needs of the paper later – such as where the source applies for the layout of the paper and how the source will fit with the topic sentence. You can also contact our professional annotated bibliography writing service which provides high-quality custom papers with annotated bibliography at an affordable cost.

The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Middle East Essay

The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Middle East - Essay Example Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) increases considerably the risk for all manifestations of atherosclerotic vascular disease, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease(Payorala, 1987) The underlying mechanisms for accelerated atherogenesis in NIDDM are poorly understood. Although NIDDM is associated with a clustering of risk factors favoring atherogenesis (high total triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a high prevalence of hypertension and obesity), population-based, prospective studies have repeatedly shown that only a small proportion of the excess risk for coronary heart disease in NIDDM can be explained by the effects of NIDDM on the levels of cardiovascular risk factors(Payorala, 1987) Therefore, the excessive occurrence of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular complications in NIDDM must be mainly caused by diabetes itself or factors related to it. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevale nt form of diabetes and is due to the combination of insulin resistance and defective secretion of insulin by pancreatic b-cells. (Grundy, Benjamin, Burke, Chait, Eckel , Howard, Mitch, Smith , & Sowers.,1999)Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Metabolic control and duration of type 2 diabetes are important predictors of coronary heart disease (ischaemic heart disease. (Kuusisto J, Mykkanen L, Pyorala K, & Laakso M.,1994) Introduction/Background to the issue: During the past 20 years, major socio-demographic changes have occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Alwan A, King H , 1992) The total population of the Region has almost doubled. The birth rate has remained high but infant and childhood mortality rates and the crude death rate have decreased. Life expectancy has improved dramatically, urbanization has occurred and per capita income has increased. The

Human systems-Co-ordination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human systems-Co-ordination - Essay Example The hormones released by the gland effect on growth, sexual development, metabolism and system of reproduction. Pituitary Gland consists of anterior pituitary and posterior Pituitary (Endocrine System) Growth hormone - stimulates growth in early days and is vital for keeping up a strong body composition. In grownups it is also responsible for retaining muscle mass and bone mass. It can influence fat allocation in the body. Antidiuretic hormone - is stored in the posterior pituitary gland and adjusts water balance. Improper release of this hormone, this can lead to salt problems and water balance, and could can affect the kidneys. The hypothalamus is division of the brain that lies just over the pituitary gland. It discharges hormones that begin and end the release of pituitary hormones. The hypothalamus regulates hormone production in the pituitary gland by several "releasing" hormones. Some of these are growth hormone-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and corticoptropin-releasing hormone, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (The hormone Foundation) Humoral factors assist to build up the lymphoid system, which is a system throughout the body that facilitate it to achieve a mature immune response in cells to defend them from attacking germs and bacteria. (Definition of Thymus) Pineal Gland has long been interest for the medical experts. It is located at the center of the brain It secretes a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin regulates sleeping habits. Studies prove an increased production of this hormone when night falls and thus people feel sleepy; when morning arrives the melatonin production drops which triggers alertness. (Dr. Gary Farr 2003) These are male’s twin reproductive glands that produce a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone assist a boy build up and then continue his sexual behavior. Throughout puberty, testosterone aids to carry about the physical modifications that turn a boy into an adult

Importance in the novel Essay Example for Free

Importance in the novel Essay Explore the portrayal of Serena Joy and the Commander in the early part of the novel. Also estimate their characters importance in the novel. Serena Joy is portrayed as a frustrated, hostile and rude woman who is full of hate; which in some respects you could say she is, but her character runs much more deeply than is first apparent to the reader. This is portrayed through her characters words, actions and pursuits in many different ways. An example of this is her frustration at the little amount of freedom she is allowed. Although when compared to a character like, Offred she has a lot of freedom, she feels she doesnt, It is a little thing, but in this household little things mean a lot. , Many of the wives have such gardens, its something for them to order and maintain and care for. By having a garden like this, and being allowed to take charge of it, and look after it, she feels this gives her some importance in the community. It is a distraction, a place of escape for her from the life that she leads, which is boring and she is not happy with. This is the only freedom she is allowed in the life she leads now, which although it doesnt mean a lot to her, it should be treasured because in Gilead to have freedom like that is unthinkable to most; this portrays Serena Joy to be a women who takes things and her status in the elite, for granted. The tulips are red, a darker crimson towards the stem; as if they had been cut and are beginning to heal there. The garden to Serena Joy is also something she can take her frustration out on, as she is not supposed to harm Offred. An aspect portrayed to us immensely about her character is her great longing for children; this is shown in many of the domestic pursuits she carries out, i. e. gardening and knitting, They arent scarves for grown men but for children. Although these are scarves supposed to be made for the Angels who are grown men, she makes the scarves in children sizes. This shows the reader how she is always thinking about children, and how she longs to have children of her own. Her garden also portrays these feelings she has about children of her own, Many of the wives have such gardens, it is something for them to order and maintain and care for. She treats her garden, like you would expect her to treat a child, by caring for it lovingly with great affection. She is rude and hostile towards Offred, because she hates the fact that she is there because she cant have children of her own, also it must be a humiliating experience for her, the thought of her husband making love to another woman, So, youre the new one, she said. She didnt step aside to let me in, she just stood there in the door way, blocking the entrance. She wanted me to feel that I could not come into the house unless she said so. This is where the reader, feels a little compassion for Serena Joy, as she is portrayed as an awful women, who really has bought this predicament on herself; but it must be humiliating for her. Her husband is sleeping with another women, and as far as she is concerned it is because she cannot have children. She also knows that this life that she has helped to promote, is awful and she hates the way in which she has to live now. Her name is also trying to portray an image of serenity and joy, which once she as a young woman had portrayed, but now with a new way of living, her nature has come to contradict her name, The woman sitting in front of me was Serena Joy. Or had once been. So it was worse than I thought. The Commander is portrayed as a man who will use his power and authority to get what he wants. He rebels against his own way of life that he has fought to promote, which portrays to us that he too is unhappy with the way he has to live his life, he isnt supposed to be here, He is violating custom. I feel that as we read further into the novel, the way he uses his power to get what he wants will be even more strongly portrayed as part of his character to the reader. We dont get vivid descriptions of the Commander at first. He is a character which you know is there but we dont get to meet or see at the beginning of the novel. This portrays him as a slightly mysterious, and you never quite know when to expect him to turn up, The commander stops, gets into the car, disappears, and Nick shuts the door. His clothes also gives an awe of uncertainty and mystery as he has to dress all in black, which is the colour closely associated to death. Hes a character of great importance in the society of Gilead, and we see this at the Ceremony. We see at the ceremony that he is a highly influential character too, We watch him: every inch, every flicker. Everyone watches him and wants to be him, which shows he is influential, this though is just because of the power, importance and freedom he has, which all the other characters can only dream about. The first description we get of the Commander portrays him as a very ordinary looking man, When you get down as far as the chin he looks like a vodka ad, in a glossy magazine, of times gone by. He looks like a friendly approachable man, which slightly contradicts the mysterious feel he has portrayed at the very beginning of the novel. As they are both characters of great power within the society, I feel they are very important in the novel as a whole, and as the book goes on their importance will increase. They are both very strong characters, and both feel that they are hard done by compared to how they used to live but they arent when compared to characters like Offred. This is also true of many people in the world today. They are two characters in the novel who care only for themselves and nobody else, even though they are very lucky with what they have.

Exploring the Characters of Havisham and Magwich in Dickens Great Expectations :: Great Expectations Essays

Dickens seems to develop characters who are so compelling that the reader needs to know what’s going to happen next... When we first met Magwich he seems to be a nasty and manipulative convict, bullying a small, naive little boy called Pip for basic food of which he is lacking, shortly after Pip meets him again but your opinion of Magwich changes entirely he defends Pip of the stealing actions he bullied him into. Then he is unthought-of for some time in the book until he appears again after Pips transformation from young lower class boy to a gentleman. The fact he is the reason of Pips transformation shows him as the hero, but he is still wanted for crime. Magwich from the first time we meet him is described in great detail by timid Pip who isn’t described in a lot of detail at all, almost as if his identity is left for the reader to decide. Magwich is described as ...â€Å"a fearful man, all in course gray, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes and with an old rag tied around his head†. The fact that he isn’t wearing a hat in the Victorian times was considered rude, however he is wearing an rag proving he is dignified and polite but â€Å"old rag† suggests he is poor and of the lower class. The setting when Magwich first appears is at the â€Å"graveyard† there seems to be an air of death, raw and gloomy setting. The setting seems too described in great depth as if it’s important to the story; the setting seems to mirror Magwich bleak and raw and lonely and isolated. This seems to represent his life and neglection. Whereas the same setting for Pip is peaceful place to remember his late mother and father, seemingly now he is left with this elder sister who treats him and her blacksmith husband, Joe, terribly. As well as this when we first meet Miss Havisham in chapter 8 she is described with a lengthy description also. Her appearance is described as skeleton like and decaying. She is trapped in a time warp due to her own accord, living in a neglected house in the same room at the exact same time as her soon to be husband competent left her, the misfortune of her neglection left her bitter and seemingly slightly twisted for example she wants Pip and Estella to â€Å"play†.