Moodle

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Contents

Introduction

Moodle is an open source e-learning platform and is designed to help educators create online courses with opportunities for rich collaborative engagement and social interaction. Moodle's open source license and modular design, allow people to develop additional functionality, plugins such as educational games quizzes and learner response systems. Development is undertaken by a globally diffused network of commercial and non-commercial users, co-ordinated by the Moodle company based in Perth, Western Australia.

A concise introduction To Moodle and “Open Source” learning can be found on the Academy legal subject centre website.

Moodle is used by many West Midlands FE colleges and the wider post-16 education sector, some universities also use Moodle alongside their main VLE.


  • The Moodle showcase at Birmingham City University's Moodle site is a good example (press the "Guest" button).
  • Alternatives to the Moodle VLE can be compared using thisonline tool
  • This video explains learning platforms in plain English.

Hosting Moodle

There are two main options:

1. You can either install Moodle on your own server and host it yourself (see typical specification below)

2. Pay a company to host it for you–they would maintain it completely.

Possible external hosted solutions (and support) are either free or paid for:

Free

Paid services


If you’re not using a hosting service and you’re going to do it yourself, you will need:

Hardware

  • Even though Moodle says to use a server with at least 160mb disk space (plus capacity for storing learning resources, you need about 80 gigabytes for longer term usage.
  • Minimum of 256mb of memory (2gb recommended)4 gb preferred [Moodle can support 50 concurrent users for every 1gb RAM]

Software

  • Webserver software (e.g. Apache/IIS)
  • PHP scripting language
  • A working database server (eg MySQL)

It is recommended that you consider a third party support deal from a recognised Moodle team (see links above). For further technical assistance access the Moodle docs site for free help . Join the Moodle UK technical forum, both as a JISCmail list and as a regular face to face meeting. To join follow this shortcut subscribe link. Browse the archives online here.


Moodle help and documentation

Moodle face-to-face training

The Following West Midlands organisations offer training on many aspects of moodle use, from Administrators to end users:


Online training courses


E-books and other documents


Moodle Jiscmail

  • You are welcome to join the Moodle UK Jiscmail list. Email this address:

MOODLE-UK-request@jiscmail.ac.uk

  • The West Midlands Regional Support Centre runs a lively email and face-to-face Moodle users' forum, where effective practice and advice is shared. Email: MOODLE-WM-request@jiscmail.ac.uk or browse the archives online here: http://aux.jiscmail.ac.uk/mailinglists/a-z/m.htm


Moodle forums 2010 / 2011

1. West Midlands Moodle Users Autumn forum 19th November 2010: Newcastle-Under-Lyme College.

2. West Midlands Moodle Users Spring forum 10th February 2011: North East Worcestershire College.

Downloadable information sheets


See also

  • Microsoft have developed an Office plugin for Moodle read more here
  • Solihull College has developed EasyVoter for Moodle – a plug in voting system for the VLE.
  • To gather quality statistical data on Moodle use, Solihull College have developed a module to help
  • JISC Infonet have a comprehensive online infokit introducing you to VLEs:
  • Mr Cute (and recently Mr Cute2) is a repository plug in for Moodle, developed with JISC funding. Mr Cute can be downloaded as a block from Moodle.org or from http://www.learningobjectivity.com/mrcute.
  • Noodle: this new tool enables you to add the next generation of NLN materials as a link (not to download) into your Moodle. This NOODLE tool takes an enormous (download) burden off VLE managers.
  • The Open Source eportfolio Mahara can be plugged into Moodle or run as a standalone tool.Mahara is a fully featured electronic portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online communities.

RSC contacts

Visit our website http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/westmidlands

Allen Crawford Thomas contributed this article.

a.crawford-thomas@rsc-wm.ac.uk Telephone: 01902 518930

Kevin Brace contributed to this article.

For further information about the RSC West Midlands, visit our website at http://www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/westmidlands

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