Giving a Voice to Moodle

Current Working Version

Access from a limited number of locations within DCU is available from our own development server.

Contact

For more details on technical content, contact Vinny Glennon or John McKenna

For more details on pedagogical issues, contact Francoise Blin or Christine Appel

Project Proposal Summary

This project aims firstly to investigate and to test the integration of voice communication tools (synchronous and asynchronous) and text-to-speech engines within Moodle and, secondly, to design some pedagogical applications of these tools in the areas of foreign language learning, on-line translation and interpretation training and teacher education training. It is also envisaged that the integration of voice communication tools and text-to-speech engines would eventually benefit students with learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia)and students engaged in open and distance learning programmes. The implementation and evaluation of these integrated tools will take place during next academic year.

While commercial products are available on the market, we will seek to investigate the possibility of using freely available technologies and to cooperate with developers of these technologies. In particular, the GONG Project team (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) has expressed interest in collaborating with DCU in the future, should suitable funding opportunities arise.

Comments:

  1. We have already investigated and integrated voice communication tools (synchronous and asynchronous) and text-to-speech engines within Moodle. "Integrated" is perhaps not the best word, as we have aimed to keep the voice tools independent of Moodle, and will be optional add-ons that do not affect the normal operation of Moodle. Implementation is at an advanced stage; extensive testing and evaluation will, however, have to wait till students return.
  2. Design has initially been carried out with language teaching in mind. The first stage will mirror the functionality of Mooodle's forums.
  3. The GONG Project team have been most cooperative and have provided us with their source code.
  4. The "Implementation Plan" from the full application has been adhered to quite well.

Acknowledgements

This project is being funded by an award from DCU's Office of the Dean of Teaching and Learning.