While Moodle has been built for educational field, many of its features lend themselves to use in other settings (business, health etc…). Education and sport are not that far apart on an ‘imaginary’ continuum here, they are both concerned with improvement and learning. The advantage of things like Nings and wikis would certainly be the simplicty of setting up compared to Moodle and probably some of the more social, sharing features. But for a more serious operation I can see the flexibility, security and modularity of Moodle a better choice.

Put it this way – if I just want a simple website for my cricket team or club, I would not bother with Moodle, no way. Ning to say get friends, fans and members involved is a much better choice, wikis even easier. But if I am running an elite programme and require more than a forum, a place to share docs and videos and a fancy personal page, I would seriously consider Moodle. Right tool for the right job.

Thanks again for dropping by Gene, best wishes from a former long time AIS athlete and coach

Tomaz

Moodle is known for its ‘learning mgt system’ capabilities: registrations, managaing a catalogue of courses, tracking progress, assessments, certificates etc etc. So I was wondering what advantages you see for the coach in adopting Moodle as opposed to setting up a Ning or wiki.

That aside, this is a great example and contribution. Thanks Gene

Funny thing is that as I wrote this post, ideas just kept coming and coming. Moodle is such a flexible yet robust and versatile beast that coaches and athletes might really want to have a look at it as a valuable training, performance, analysis, reflection, communication, collaboration, learning tool.

Regards & feel free to shoot any related Q my way.

Tomaz

Wow Tomaz, you have really looked into the features available on Moodle. I am a lecturer at UC and I didn’t even know about some of the stuff you have mentioned.

The best thing about this is your ability to take something and apply it to your circumstances and needs, I am a coach too and it helps to be able to think outside the box.

Loved it, excellent work!

@Keith
As I wrote it I thought of the ‘fellowship of the ring’ … And to answer to your thought about Moodle 2.0 – definitely yes, easier to use, functionality with importing and commenting on various resources and activities around the site, and more. Exciting!

As I said in the pots, software alone does not make one a good coach, it’s what we do with athletes, particularly at some of the ‘critical moments’. But this would have helped me become a better coach, no doubt.

If you know a coach, administrator, athlete who would like to hear more about this, feel free to let me know and I will do my best.

Regards

Tomaz

I think this approach invites participation and priorities the ‘with’ part of the coach athlete relationship.

I wondered what you thought might be possible with Moodle 2.0.

I am off to share this with lots of coaches!