Moodle Learning Management System Overview

moodle-lmsMoodle is the world’s most popular learning management system. Moodle is flexible and scaleable software designed to help educators create interactive and collaborative online learning experiences. Moodle originated in Australia around a decade ago and has since been internationalised in more than 200 countries and 100 languages. The official community site has more than a million registered users.

There are many ways in which Moodle can be effectively used. These include
induction training, continuing professional development, the delivery of online courses, workplace assessment and staff compliance. Being open source software, there is a large amount of community support toward the development of third-party plugins to extend Moodle’s core functionality.

Moodle is distributable without licensing costs, however, it does take a degree of technical expertise to install, configure and secure the software on a web server. Once deployed, it can be easily managed by a qualified system administrator.

Moodle’s key administrative functions include the ability to control authentication, perform bulk user actions, manage accounts, assign roles and permissions, change site appearance, automate course backups and generate various reports. Moodle enables integration with external systems, e-commerce plugins and SCORM compliance. Moodle is proactive in terms of data security and information privacy of its users, hence, patches are released on a periodic basis and there are global settings that can be configured by the system administrator.

Course creators can add online activities and resources intended for their learners. Moodle’s standard activities include assignment, chat, blog, forum, messaging, quiz and wiki. The learning sequence may be totally non-linear or controlled so learners engage with online course objects in a structured fashion. User activity and course completion tracking are tracked, moreover, assessment grades and feedback can be reported in real-time via the internet.

Moodle enables online content to be shared in numerous ways. Course participants can quickly upload existing files from their device, disk, or network. Using Moodle repositories, it is possible to import content and media from Cloud-based services such as Google Docs, YouTube, Flickr, Boxnet and Dropbox. On the same token, content can be export from Moodle to third-party services.

Assess, track and report on your learners via the web. Get started now and learn more today about Moodle Sydney, Moodle Brisbane and Moodle Melbourne providers.

 

How to Soundproof Windows

Acoustic double glazing depends on the addition of a secondary glazing layer offset from an existing window, optimally by 100mm. Soundblock offer two solutions to double glaze windows for noise and thermal insulation – Magnetic Acrylic Double Glazing and Acoustic Aluminium Double Glazing. Article body:

What is Window Double Glazing?
Double glazing needs the addition of a secondary glazing layer offset from an existing window optimally by 100mm. Add our acoustic double glazing to your existing windows or specify our solutions on new projects. Double glazed windows reduce noise transfer by up to 70% and remove heating costs by 35%.

Double Glazing System – Magnetic Acrylic Windows
Magnetic Window Soundproofing System works very simply by adding a PVC sub frame on the inside of your window. This double glazing system greatly increases noise reduction. The acrylic window is sealed in place, creating an air space with the existing window, thereby producing an insulating barrier.

Double Glazing System – Acoustic Aluminium Windows
This double glazing system reduces the transfer of noise from outside to inside. These sound proof windows can be specially manufactured to meet specific size requirements. The Soundblock Aluminium Window System is an add on glazing system, creating a double glazed unit to reduce noise transmission through existing windows by up to 70%. As well it provides extra security and safety to the property.

How to Soundproof Windows
To successfully soundproof your windows you will need to have a sufficient gap between your primary window and the edge of your internal window reveal. Ideally this gap is 100mm. This will allow an acoustic secondary window, either our Soundblock Acrylic Magnetic or Soundblock Aluminium windows, to be installed to effectively provide an overall sound reduction of 40-43db.

Noise reduction and soundproofing solutions
Founded in 1999, Soundblock Solutions is a highly respected, privately-owned Australian provider of soundproofing products and solutions. We can help to create a quieter, more comfortable environment in any environment, whether it’s in the home, office, marine, hotels, restaurants or industrial.

Representing leading Australian manufacturers of acoustic products, Soundblock offers a huge range of double glazing and window sound insulation and noise control products for domestic and commercial use. We will determine your exact noise problems and supply and install the most effective product or combination of products for your specific situation. Talk to us for expert advice and a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for all of your soundproofing, double glazing, noise control and acoustic requirements.

Soundblock are the experts in noise reduction and have found using window double glazing systems, that noise can be reduced by up to 70% or 41dB. Soundblock offer two solutions to double glaze windows for noise and thermal insulation.

Cladding Mackay – Consider Vinyl Cladding Over Painting

Over the past several decades, more and more people have become aware of the numerous benefits of modern vinyl cladding and started to use it instead of paint. Paint is a great choice if you plan on selling the house in the near future since it does not involve a major investment, but if you want to make your home more comfortable, then vinyl cladding is the best choice. The truth is that vinyl cladding does have a series of advantages that should be taken into account if you want to get the best quality for your money. Here you will find the most important benefits:

What Is Vinyl Cladding?
In order to fully understand its benefits, you must firstly know what vinyl cladding is. In a nutshell, this is a type of cladding made from PVC combined with several other substances that aim to increase durability. This material is fixed on the exterior of your home to improve its overall aspect and also for improving thermal performance. Paint, on the other hand, is used only for improving the aspect of your home and it does not improve the thermal performance of your house in any way.

This type of cladding is also very durable in the long run, unlike paint which peels off and loses its intensity thoughout the years. This is possible with the help of the acrylic components found in vinyl cladding, which help it stand the test of time – and weather! It does not rot or crust, and it can last for decades even in the harshest weather conditions.

One of the most important advantages of this type of cladding is that unlike paint, it is very easy to maintain in the long run, and it adds value to your home. Paint is difficult to maintain over the years as it can easily deteriorate, but fortunately this is not the case with this type of cladding: you can easily wash it with a sprayer and some mild detergent once in a while, and that is it! It is true that vinyl cladding does require an initial investment, but the quality and the comfort are certainly worth it. Besides, this will also lower your energy bills.

Vinyl cladding is undoubtedly one of the most affordable and versatile cladding options: you can easily adapt it in order to match the overall style of your home, no matter if you own a traditional or a modern house. All you need in order to make your home stylish and unique is some high-quality products and a little bit of creativity. Besides, it is so affordable that you can even clad your entire home with it without having to spend a little fortune!

Last but certainly not least, another great benefit of this type of cladding is that it comes with an important warranty that confirms the quality and the durability of the material. This warranty will give you the peace of mind you need: your investment is fully protected, should anything happen with the cladding.

In conclusion, these are the main advantages of vinyl cladding over painting. Painting may be cheaper, but it is less durable in the long run, it does involve some maintenance costs, it can easily peel off and it does not improve the thermal performance. On the other hand, vinyl cladding is extremely durable, affordable, easy to maintain, it adds extra style to your home and it improves thermal performance as well. For cladding Mackay contact Prestige Exteriors today. Make sure you check out the before and after photo gallery.

How to stop the flood of election junk mail?

Anywhere on Earth, whether it is a State, Local Council, Presidential or Federal election, your mailbox will groan with the weight of materials aimed at winning your vote. It may be the electronic age, but it seems that a piece of paper in your letterbox is still considered the most efficient way of getting a message across.

While an informed electorate is essential to the democratic process, there appears to be a glut of over-sending of junk mail for political purposes – and no clear way on how to solve this. What’s worse, the content of most of the political flyers is simply mudslinging about their opponents with no substance. Is anyone else reminded of children in the playground?

How can you help stop this unnecessary waste of paper? Imagine the strain on our environment and the large volume of greenhouse gases generated from all the trees cut down, printing, electricity and transport of the materials. Grab a cup of tea or your water bottle and let’s get down to it.

We know in Australia that material deemed to be political, educational, religious and charitable is exempt from “No Junk Mail” signed letterboxes according to standards conducted by the Australian Catalogue Association. So there is no way to stop it being deposited in your postbox along with the other junk mail catalogues enticing you to buy all sorts of things you don’t really need. It is likely the same in other countries.

Step 1. Incorrectly addressed political mail
A lot of of your mail may be addressed to past occupants of the house. You need to “return this to sender” with the note “no longer at this address”.

Step 2. Contact every political party or politician that is mailing you
There is no central database so you will need to call the office of each individual sender and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Remember to be polite! You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.

Step 3. National Standard to stop political junk mail
Write a letter to the Electoral Commission asking them to implement a National Standard to curb the volume of pieces each political party is allowed to put in each household’s letterbox.

Step 4. Polling day
Don’t forget to recycle any materials you are given on the day – often the Greens Party has a box at the booths for such materials on polling day!

Written by Tracey Bailey, Director of Biome Eco Stores in Brisbane, specialists in water bottles and eco friendly, reusable choices for your home, body and lifestyle.