ANGEL has been a hassle for most current MSU students at one point or another during their college careers. However, with news this week that a new alternative to ANGEL — Moodle — is being considered by the university, I began to think of a world without the frustrating foibles ANGEL often has provided.
I assumed the university finally decided to respond to complaints about glitches in the software that have ranged from an inability, to open documents or submit assignments to not even being able to log in.
I pictured Moodle being a tested program that was capable of combatting the technical flaws that have made using ANGEL so burdensome.
Yet in the story “ANGEL alternative to come out this summer” (SN 4/14), none of those concerns are addressed by officials, nor is it explained how Moodle will serve as an improvement to these glaring issues.
Leigh Wolf, coordinator of the Master of Arts in Education Technology program and one of the instructors who will be using Moodle on a trial basis this summer, said instructors can customize Moodle so it’s visually similar to Facebook, creating a more comfortable environment for students.
I’m pretty sure student comfort level was not high on the list of problems with ANGEL.
Students frequently are told not to use Facebook in class, but now the university is considering a similarly formatted educational program complete with profiles, photos and a section detailing a student’s interest. It’s not only hypocritical, but it fails to solve the main problem ANGEL provides.
In fact, Wolf admits functionality issues could be a problem because the program recently was released.
It makes little sense to replace ANGEL for a system as new and unproven as Moodle, even on a small scale. Switching programs is a process many people learning a new system and professors adjusting their teaching styles and lesson plans.
Although Facebook might seem easy to use on the surface, the level beyond the periphery can become complex. There are numerous sections, applications, linked files and more.
In addition, one of the supposed benefits to Moodle is that unlike ANGEL, it’s customizable. Yet, the potential variation can make the sites more difficult for both students and teachers to understand and use effectively.
For all the trouble an overhaul would cause, the program needs to be a long-term solution, not one with similar functionality issues to the one it’s replacing.
According to Brendan Guenther, director of MSU Virtual University Design and Technology, there could be an economic benefit to switching from ANGEL.
Although the money MSU could save with an open-source program likely is not a deciding factor, the fact that it receives mention while ANGEL’s history of glitches remains unspoken underlies a major problem.
The failure to address the main issues with ANGEL leads to the belief there is a disconnect between the university and its students. While MSU officials are focusing on ways to reduce costs, students are expected to make do with an ineffective academic device.
Students aren’t looking for a program that gives them the comforts of Facebook; that’s what Facebook is for.
The No. 1 priority for students is a website that allows easy access to class materials and a trouble-free way of submitting assignments.
As students are cramming for finals, they’re not looking for an engaging, interactive experience, but praying for ANGEL to allow them to sign in and view a document they’ll need to know for an exam.
If Moodle can manage to accomplish that minimal goal, it will be a success.
My fear is the university doesn’t seem to understand that meeting that minimal standard is all that truly matters.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Josh Mansour is a State News staff writer. Reach him at mansou13@msu.edu.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Look out for Moodle swings” on social media.
