Stretch Moodle

What it is

With the program's implementation of the open source moodle software, Project Stretch created a virtual online learning environment, the Stretchmoodle. When combined with a dynamic curriculum and continuous professional development, the Stretchmoodle, an environment in continuous change, supports students, teachers, administrators and parents with the development of 21st Century on and offline learning communities.

Through journals, forums, blogs and chats, teachers and students are able to interact in and out of the classroom. With built-in tools, like a wiki, teachers and students work together to construct projects such as websites, blogs, on-line magazines, etc. The shared productions of socio-cultural artifacts not only increase students pride in their work, but also provide teachers and students with effective learning and teaching situations. As an expanded classroom, the Project Stretch Moodle has been used by teachers to connect what they are doing in the classroom to their students' lives outside of school, allowing teachers to learn about their students while at the same time increasing student interest in the curriculum.

The Stretch Moodle incorporates interactivity and multi-media such as video, sound, and interactive quizzes. It is a space where video, audio and text interact, allowing participants to present and produce knowledge and artifacts. Project Stretch provides an adaptive and flexible environment where teachers can experiment and construct new teaching and learning situations. By connecting technology with pedagogy, both in staff development workshop and in the daily use of the Stretch Moodle, teachers have the opportunity to reflect on their teaching and continue to grow as professionals.