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Pedagogy

Ted-Ed Lessons with Moodle

Using Ted-Ed lessons with Moodle, we, teachers, can help teenage pupils dream big…

…reduce prejudice (pre-judgment), learn that looks aren’t everything, have the self-confidence to lead the way, and more.

I have used Moodle URL to link to a few Ted-Ed lessons that I prepared (sometimes completely on my own and sometimes based on work by fellow teachers). I have used these lessons to teach several classes at Kugel High School in Holon, Israel, and will surely use them again with others. You can access this Flipsnack digital booklet in which I have uploaded explanations and links to these Ted-Ed lessons.

Moodle allows us the flexibility to combine Moodle tools with external tools that might provide some extra value (more flexibility perhaps, a change in format so as to surprise our teen pupils with something different, just the pleasure of using another tool, etc.) To be sure, when teaching English it is possible to take up any topic and turn it into one or more lessons. It is then possible to work both on the contents and on the language (Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading; Listening, Speaking, Writing, etc.)

The use of Moodle URL to link to Ted-Ed Lessons is also one more example of how Moodle can cater to the needs of teachers who teach any given subject at school. If you teach a subject other than English as Foreign Language, check how easily you can bring content into Moodle, and organize it the way you want.

I have created this video to let you see how I have used Ted-Ed lessons with Moodle.

I believe that since I have teenagers in mind, when using these Ted-Ed lessons it is important to have a pre-watching activity in class. Pupils can then be asked to choose the Ted-Ed lesson that interests them the most. Having chosen one, they can be told to watch it at home and work on it as instructed on the Ted-Ed lesson of their choice. Follow-up activities can also be carried out in class. In other words, I favor using Moodle for Blended Learning when taking up these Ted-Ed lessons.

In Israel, online-learning technology is tested and drilled every year by the Education Ministry and schools so that pupils are prepared to keep on track with their studies in the event of a war or natural disaster. (More on this, see here). At The Six-Year Kugel High School, where I teach, we used Ted-Ed lessons with 10th-grade pupils during the drill last year. We will be doing the same during the drill this year with the ten graders who study at Kugel this year.

I have created this video to let you see how we used Ted-Ed lessons (without Moodle) during the drill last year

While I hope we never have to face an emergency that forces us to tell pupils that either a war or a Natural Disaster is no excuse for not doing their homework, I believe that it is important to help pupils learn to learn online. The drill is a learning opportunity. No less important, however, the issues of these Ted-Ed lessons are relevant to teenagers (and not only to them, indeed), and Moodle can help us deal with them. They are “Life itself” as someone might say.

Eduardo Lina
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Eduardo Lina

Born in Argentina, Eduardo has been living and working in Israel since 1979 - and he loves to use Moodle! Married to Susy, with two daughters: Gabriela and Maia, and three granddaughters (Sol, Dor, and Eliana), Eduardo is teaching English at school. Having completed with HRDNZ both MoodleBites for Teachers and the six MEC courses, Eduardo is a Moodle Certified Educator. He is a Certified Israel Ministry of Education Teachers’ teacher. He has developed and facilitated several Israel Ministry of Education's Spanish and English as a Foreign Language online workshops.

2 thoughts on “Ted-Ed Lessons with Moodle

  • First, once again thanks for letting me be one of the ElearningWorld.org’s writers. Besides, thanks for having this post published. When I wrote it, I had in mind ( as usual) trying to help teachers understand that Moodle is useful, that it has an added value when it comes to teaching lessons, and more. Many teachers find using Moodle scary, or too much work for not many results, and the like. This is a stereotype that has to be broken. Incidentally, when sharing the post on Facebook groups meant for teachers of English in Israel,  I shared your comment, too.
    As I wrote, using  Moodle is good for learning in case of an emergency drill that I mentioned in the post. However, when I thought of an emergency situation, I didn’t have a clue as to the possibility of facing a situation whereby schools have to close down because of a reason other than a Natural Disaster or a War ( I hope neither becomes a reality of course). The Coronavirus was not on my mind when I wrote the text, but nowadays there are already places where schools are closed and pupils have to be taught using technology.  Once again, I find Moodle useful for this situation (and let’s hope for the best and schools reopen and do remain open).
    Congrats for the 1,000 posts on ElearningWorld.org 
    Regards from Israel!Eduardo

    Reply
  • I like the idea of previewing content in class.
    It gives learners a better understanding of the “Why should I be doing this?” or “What should I be watching this?”
    Too often teachers just ‘give a link’ and expect learners to make the connections.
    Some will, but some may not, and therefore miss out on the intended value.

    Reply

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