[Moodle] Chat before exams

Thu May 31 08:47:27 EST 2007

Just to add a bit of thought.  

Seeing if your Tech is good with php based software is not what I would
consider an issue.  I do not even know what php stands for but our Moodle
site is expanding rapidly.  What is your Tech most comfortable with?  If he
knows his way around Ubuntu, then go with that.  Personally, we had trouble
getting drivers for the old tape drive used to backup the system and trouble
setting up the backup schedule.  So we sent with XP.

Our policy is that all systems must be able to be maintained, backed up and
rebuilt on site with 24 hour of a major hardware failure.  XP will run the
software without problems, there will be no problems finding driver etc, and
rebuild can be done on any hardware and by any Tech with basic instructions.

I have a folder on a server with every file needed to rebuild and detailed
instructions.  So if I get hit by a Mack truck on the way to work, any tech
can maintain or rebuild it no matter what OS they are like working with and
the students will not be effected.    

There are only a couple of things I would consider:
1. Let the Tech who will have to maintain the system pick the OS, and
2. How much money do you want to spend on hardware.

Either way, there are people on this mailing list or on the Moodle.org web
site that will help.

Stephen Bloomer
IT Department, St. Peter's College

Email support at stpeters.vic.edu.au 

-----Original Message-----
From: moodle-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:moodle-bounces at edulists.com.au]
On Behalf Of victor rajewski
Sent: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 12:13 PM
To: The Moodle Users' in Schools Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Moodle] Chat before exams

Netspace (one of the main ISPs for schools on the vicone network)
provide moodle hosting for free (I think) on their servers if you have
your website hosted with them. If they are your ISP this may be an
easier option. Other ISPs may also do this; but I'm not certain.

Alternately (or coupled with this) you can contact one of the moodle
hosting or support organisations listed on the moodle site; if your
school has a bit of money to spend on this it may be an easier way
(and supporting organisations that support moodle!)

Personally, I would check that the technicians are comfortable with
installing and maintaining php based software before foisting this on
them; if not, it may be better to get someone in to at least install
the software and provide some training to the techs. You will also
want to look at training for staff.

Cheers,

Victor

On 5/30/07, Machin, Susan M <machin.susan.m at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Hi Roland!
>
> I am contacting you in regards to a submission I am about to write which
> will, if granted, may allow me to set up Moodle in a small way initially
> across two KLA's at our college. A part of the application requires me to
> budget resources etc. Could you assist me in this regard?
>
> I want to know how much it costs to employ a technician or person. Do you
> know any? to assist in the setting up of Moodle at school. Gee, I may be
way
> off my tree here, but do you employ SSO's to do so at your school? What
rate
> of pay should I allocate? Any ideas of how long this would take,
time-wise,
> starting from scratch?
>
> If I am totally up for all suggestions.
>
> I read most of my emails from the bounce list and a couple of us are very
> enthusiastic.
>
> Regards and thanks
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sue Machin
>
> Year 11 Coordinator/LSF Coordinator
>
> Monbulk College
>
> Phone (03) 9756 6208
>
> Fax (03) 9752 0076
>
> machin.susan.m at edumail.vic.gov.au
>
>  ________________________________
>
>
> From: moodle-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:moodle-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> On Behalf Of Roland Gesthuizen
>  Sent: Wednesday, 30 May 2007 12:37 AM
>  To: Moodle in Schools Mailing List; Year 12 IT Applications Teachers'
> Mailing List; Year 11 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
>  Subject: [Moodle] Chat before exams
>
>
>
>
>
> Here is an interesting post from another mailing list. There seems to be
> some merit in offering to run an online, closed Moodle meeting before an
> examination. My students are huge online chatters and we have a problem
with
> non-attendance and cramming. Has anybody else tried this? (might scare
them
> off or make them get some sleep for a change ;-)
>
>  Regards Roland
>
> Re: Positive use of Moodle Chat by Mike Green - Monday, 28 May 2007, 06:47
> AM
>
>
>
> I don't usually use Chat, but I advertised a one-hour last-minute
> advice/therapy session to my students on the evening before their exam.
It
> worked really nicely, and I will do it again. Nice, I think, to give
> students a friendly and understanding point of contact at a time of
> potential stress. One student wasn't going to bother turning up for the
exam
> as she didn't think it was worth it, and I was able to talk her into
> attending - so just on that result it was worth it!
>
> --
>  Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
>  http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au
>
>  "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
> change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret
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