Home › Moodle Development › Moodle Course Report Block - An automatic course checking system

Moodle Course Report Block - An automatic course checking system

in

I have just finished work on the beta of the Moodle Course Report Block.  An automatic course checking and points scoring system to encourage a balanced blend of resources and activities.

The block works by collating statistical information from a course such as the number of files, types of resources used, number of assignments and quizzes etc..

Based upon this information it creates a printable report with suggestions for improvement and also informs the teacher on areas of good practice.

I have a attached a weighting to each resource and activity installed on our Moodle system and the report calculates a total so each course can be graded.

View a Sample (PDF) Report by clicking here

The block is hidden from students and is sticky so that it appears on all courses.

It's Purpose

The purpose of the block is to allow  teachers to perform their own course checks and get instant feedback on areas for improvement.  Points are awarded for the number of resources available but to avoid a repository-based course more points are awarded to the interactive activities.  So a course with 12 word documents will not score as highly as a course with a workshop, a forum and a journal.

A course with an average score of 80 is good, 100+ is excellent and over 200 is fantastic.

Further Developments

I have a added a file count and a script to display the size of the course directory.

The report highlights items that need addressing on the course, such as:

  • Encouraging the use of labels to aid contextualisation.
  • Encouraging the use of webpages rather than links to word documents
  • Encouraging the use of forums, journals, books etc..
  • The tutor is commended for using key activities
  • A green tick indicates a good point
  • A red cross indicates a bad point
  • A yellow warning triangle is a recommendation/suggestion

Beta Testing

I am currently beta-testing the block with our e-Learning mentors at college.  Based upon their feedback I shall add more elements and maybe an even more detailed reporting engine.

Currently the block searches all the default Moodle activities/resources plus the extra "third party" ones we use here at Leeds City College, such as the Book Module, Gallery, Questionnaire etc.. so it's still bespoke to our installation.  I don't think I'd ever make it work for all third party modules, there's too many to list.  I still have many bug tweaks to do and I need to clean the code up before I can release this block to the public.

Your rating: None Average: 2 (1 vote)
Submitted by lewiscarr on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 15:41

Comments

Release Date?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 10:57.

Hi Lewis

First, I have to say well done for all your work Moodle related, I think it inspires us all.

Do you have a release date scheduled for the Moodle Course Report Block?  This has to be the one I'm looking forward to most.

Release Date?

Submitted by lewiscarr on Wed, 01/20/2010 - 15:53.

Hello,

I'm hoping to get the block out before April.  It will look at the the standard activities and resources and maybe a few more common blocks like the questionnaire module, book module and a couple more.

There's no way I can include them all.

One of my colleagues has suggested it pulls meta course data through as well to allow for child courses.  Again this is more work but will ultimately create a better block.

Many thanks for taking the time to comment here, it's appreciated.