Using Moodle as a teacher professional development tool

Chen Weidong
University of Science and Technology
Suzhou, China
Xi Qiuyu
Shanghai Normal University
Shanghai, China

This paper examines how Moodle technology can be used to support teachers' professional development. Moodle is a course management system -- a software package which is designed to help educators create quality online courses. Such e-learning systems are sometimes referred to as Learning Management Systems, Virtual Learning Environments, and education via computer-mediated communication or education online. This technology can be used in a number of ways, for example to provide a space for the social construction of knowledge in a community, and as a modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment. It can support teachers in developing resources for teaching and learning and can provide an evaluation methods transition, a virtual teaching research space, a space for teachers' brainstorming and a powerful medium for asynchronous distributed collaboration.

The study looks at the use of Moodle in teachers' professional development, to help them improve their knowledge of their subjects and their understanding of students' thinking and of different instructional practices.