Next February members of the edtech community will meet in Toronto for MoodleMoot Canada 2018, we find out what’s in store for them.

MoodleMoot Canada 2018 (#MootCA18) is being held from 21 – 24 February 2018 at York University, Toronto, Ontario.

Like many other MoodleMoots, it will focus on encouraging collaboration and sharing of best practices of the open source learning platform.

This year’s Canadian Moot is themed around “personalized learning for all”.

We speak to event organiser, Frances Long, to find out what to expect at MoodleMoot Canada 2018 and why Moodlers should come along:

Moodle HQ: Thanks Frances for taking the time to let us know more about MoodleMoot Canada 2018! Can you let us know a bit of background about Moots and the Moodle community in Canada?

Frances: Canada has a vibrant Moodle community with over 1800 Moodle HQ registered sites with many other active unregistered sites.

Canada has been hosting Moodle Moots since 2005, a biannual event that typically attracts approximately 400 delegates, both onsite and online, and an active list of those looking to share their innovative use of Moodle. Moodle is the preferred LMS for many post-secondary institutions, K-12 schools (outside of Ontario), and a growing number of corporate organizations.

Moodle HQ: What is the theme of MoodleMoot Canada 2018? Or what are the objectives that the community and organisers would like to achieve from this gathering?

Frances: The theme of the Canada Moot is Personalized Learning for All

The focus is on personalization and flexible learning in large and small group situations through the use of different Moodle tools, collaboration to enhance learning and learner choice, and providing feedback through various forms of feedback to support learner independence

The goal for MoodleMoot Canada 2018 is the same as every year. The Moot provides the venue for Canadians to reach out to other Moodlers in person and to develop a network outside of their organization. This is the one opportunity for Canadian Moodlers to get together and share best and worst practices.

Moodle HQ: Who should attend MoodleMoot Canada 2018 and what will they get out of being a part of the Moot this year as a participant or a presenter?

Frances: Canada MoodleMoot attracts workplace based trainers, teachers and instructors who use Moodle for training through to high level policy and decision makers such as: technology coordinators, curriculum developers, and administrators.

Delegates are from all facets of education, small and large business and industry, as well as from the nonprofit sector and government. In fact, delegates are sponsored by their organizations to take back information so that decisions can be made for future purchases and initiatives.

We expect representation from all provinces and territories throughout Canada. The typical delegate works primarily online, owns one or more computers, and owns at least one wireless handheld device.

For the first time we also have a number of workshops pertaining to the administration of Moodle. We’re hoping that Canadian Moodle developers will attend.

Moodle HQ: What are some of the highlights for MoodleMoot Canada 2018 that we can all get excited about?

Frances: The Moot opens with a keynote from Martin on the future of Moodle followed by a series of interactive workshops on Moodle tech, integration, use, and innovations in application.

A plenary panel on Access to Online Education features a number of thought leaders from across Canada that will focus on barriers to access including ethnicity, physical limitation, and financial considerations. How to fashion course design and use of open content and pedagogical strategies will be shared.

We also have Stephen Downes, Canada’s own philosopher and commentator who is followed by many Canadian educator, speaking on “Why Personal Learning?” Stephen’s focus is on issues related to use of learning analytics and big data which has led him to espouse about a personal learning approach that begins informally and is driven by task achievement with curriculum and pedagogy selected pragmatically to support individual learning.

Moodle HQ: Lastly, what is the best way to keep up to date with all the information and news about MoodleMoot Canada 2018?

Frances:
Go to: https://moodlemoot.org/mootca/
It is not too late to submit a presentation proposal, go to: http://moodlemoot.ca/mod/data/view.php?id=3327
Follow us on Twitter: #mootCA18 or @canadamoot

To learn more about Moodle, visit the website: moodle.com.

MoodleMoot US 2017 - New Orleans, hosted by BbWorld, starts in just 4 days, from 25 - 27 July.

From around the world and within the US, our Moodle HQ staff and Moodlers are flying in this weekend to get together, share the latest in online learning and collaborate.

Over the last few weeks, we have talked to a number of our presenters to get an idea on what their presentations are about! We are so glad to share a sneak peek on what you can expect at #MootUS17 - New Orleans.

Watch them today! 

PS There is still to register and book your spot!

See some of you Moodlers in New Orleans soon.