I AM A TEACHER IN THE DIGITAL ERA. WHAT TO CHOOSE: GOOGLE CLASSROOM OR MOODLE?

Abstract

The introduction of a wide variety of new learning technologies has impacted the training methods. As PCs developed quickly in the 20th century, and as the mobile phone use has exploded during the past 10 years, we have started to witness a shift from the classroom-training model, where a Trainer sits in front of the classroom, towards a diverse mix of learning approaches made up of many different frameworks. In the era of technology, every trainer accesses - in the teaching activities - a series of online applications to facilitate the trainees' access to a range of information, catch their attention much easier, and ensure their attention retention for longer. The teaching staff's concern in creating digital educational resources implies knowledge of the online applications and platforms by means of which they come closer to the digital generation. The 2017 trend involves Google Classroom and Moodle, another Open Source alternative, having a wide coverage in the educational field. The communities created for educational purpose involving the use of the Google Classroom and Moodle platforms provide the technical support and documentation required to start implementing the technology la the classroom. The digital generation is receptive to everything involving accessing information while using any type of internet access device. The platforms provide this interface availability on computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc. This paper analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the two platforms from several perspectives. Concurrently, a presentation is made of the reaction to and impact of these web2.0 applications on teaching staff having performed refresher activities involving both platforms, through the Teaching-Staff Resource Centre (Casa Corpului Didactic) of Bucharest. A new pedagogical approach is suggested, a strategy implying that the learners should be strategists and agents of change rather than be waiting for indications from the training staff as regards what they should study. The advancements in the field of new technologies have changed exponentially, which determined the change in how we work and learn.