Moodle

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Introduction to Moodle / VLEs

I've heard of Moodle and I’d like to know more? This neat little video explains learning platforms (VLEs) in plain english.



Moodle is a free and open source e-learning software platform (also known as a Course Management System (CMS), or Learning Management Systems (LMS), or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)). It has a significant user base with 38,896 registered sites with 16,927,590 users in 1,713,438 courses (as of January, 2008) [1]. Some educators believe that the VLE is now dead! You decide & watch the ALT-C conference debate of September 2009.

Moodle is designed to help educators create online courses with opportunities for rich interaction. Its open source license and modular design means that people can develop additional functionality. Development is undertaken by a globally diffused network of commercial and non-commercial users, streamlined by the Moodle company based in Perth, Western Australia. [Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moodle]

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

Within our West Midlands region Moodle has really taken off as the primary VLE of choice for FE Colleges and Universities. Other commercial VLEs such as Blackboard have been around for much longer and are widely used across academia, more prevalent in HEIs though. To further understand what Moodle looks like, please take a browse round the Moodle showcase at Birmingham City Universities’ Moodle site. You can just press the “guest” button to look around here.


  • If the terminology “Open Source” (OS) is alien to you, please access the JISC Service OSS Watch who are experts in this field. They have a raft of resources to inform mangers and practitioners about OS applications here : http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/resources/


Hosting Moodle

There are two options: 1. You can either install Moodle on your own server and host it yourself (see typical spec' 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 ones


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 [1]gigabytes for longer term usage.
  • Minimum of 256mb of memory (2gb recommended)4 gb preferable [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)
  • Capacity - sizing the server -
  • How many browsing users will there be?(eg how many computers may be used on your course(s)) You need to allow a certain amount of RAM for these.
  • How many concurrent database users will there be who may be doing an activity? Again, a RAM allowance is required.
  • You will need to have some knowledge of installing software and implementing it or else a supportive IT technician in your organisation. Or buy in support, see above.

I have all of the above, now what do I need to do?

  • Modify your web server settings.
  • Install PHP to work with the web server
  • Create data directory (for storing uploaded files)
  • Modify ownership and permissions for directories as appropriate.
  • Create an empty database.
  • Download and unpack the files from moodle.org onto your web server.
  • Install Moodle.
  • Configure your Moodle.
  • Create a new course.
  • Set up cron job and Back Up. I’d recommend testing a full database backup from tape, just to ensure your backups/procedure operates as it should.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to deliver teaching through a virtual learning environment. We would also strongly recommend you also buy a 3rd party support deal from a recognised Moodle team (see links above). These support packages are very reasonably priced. 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 training


The Following West Mids companies provide training for all aspects of moodle use. From Administrators to the end users;


• http://thedevelopmentmanager.info/learning.php - contact Derrin Kent

• http://www.learningobjectivity.com/ - contact Richard Goddard

• http://www.vlemiddleware.com – contact Becky Williams

• http://www.howtomoodle.com/ - contact Ray Lawrence


  • I've just stumbled across InGOTS. They are "INGOTs are International Grades in Open Technologies. They provide a motivating progression route from complete beginner to professional level expertise in commonly used productivity tools found in the modern workplace such as word processing, presenting and searching for information." Access their free online courses here :

http://www.theingots.org/courses/



  • Gain accreditation (by OCN Wales) for all of your elearning endeavour by registering on an online Moodle course run from: http://www.moodle4teachers.co.uk/
  • Coleg Gwent have developed an entire Moodle course that guides you through the nuances of this VLE. There are even handouts to download. This resource is very good.


  • You are also encouraged to join the Moodle UK JISCmail list. Request membership by emailing this address: MOODLE-UK-request@jiscmail.ac.uk . The West Midlands Regional Support Centre also run a lively email and face to face Moodle users forum, where effective practice and advice is sought and given. Send an email to: MOODLE-WM-request@jiscmail.ac.uk or browse the archives online here: http://aux.jiscmail.ac.uk/mailinglists/a-z/m.htm
  • HowtoMoodle offer a range of books for sale covering all aspects of using Moodle

http://www.howtomoodle.com/index.php/moodle-manuals

See also

  • This 2009 webinar (2nd half) covers innovate use of Moodle in the South West: link to the recording is on their website here:
  • Do you need to provide statistical data to report on Moodle use? Well now you can much mor eeasily by using the ready made "tool" by Solihull College.
  • A new workshop called "Using Digital Media in VLEs" which is to be held on the 30th July 2009.

http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/training/courses/using-digital-media-in-vles/. This workshop focuses on the effective use of digital media in presentations and online usage, including the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

  • Richard has also has also been busy creating MR CUTE and Noodle. Richard received JISC funding to develop a Moodle repository called Mr CUTE. It's a very powerful , taggable, searchable object repository. Mr CUTE can be downloaded as a block from Moodle.org or from http://www.learningobjectivity.com/mrcute . This URL page points to Richard's own website which also has a link to the Solihull College easy portfolio block - to download.

MrCute 2 builds on the foundations of MrCute 1. However MrCute 2 offers a much simplified interface which is more user-led and user-friendly. MrCute 1 was intially one module, and MrCute 2 is broken down into two - one for 'finding and embedding resources' into your Moodle site, and the other to 'upload to repository' at the same time as adding to your course. MrCute 2 will be available around Easter 2009.

  • 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.


  • Coleg Gwent have created a set of:


• A new Open Source eportfolio tool called 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. Mahara provides you with the tools to set up a personal learning and development environment." Luckily we have one of the only two UK official partners working in the West Midlands for Mahara, called Derrin Kent of TDM. Contact Derrin to get more information on this new eportfolio tool.

Information sheets to download

• An interesting report on how a large University has been using Moodle (2007)

• University London College hosting notes media:Hosting_Moodle-ULCC.pdf

• A set of comprehensive hosting notes from RSC Scotland Media:Moodlehosting-RSC-Scotland.pdf

• RSC West Midlands 2 page primer on hosting Media:Orange_Moodle_Leaflet-janes.pdf

• A JISC report covering the basic requirements and features of a VLE

• Introducing a VLE: “ILT Champions and awareness raising” , and “VLE mistakes - how to get it all wrong"! by Geoff Minshull of Direct Learn. I would also strongly recommend you download the publication “choosing and using a learning platform for adult and community learning” , from Geoff @ the direct learn website.

• Geoff also wrote an article in 2007 which talks more broadly about purchasing a learning platform, in the wake of the latest BECTa push for schools to adopt VLEs.

• 10 commandments of online learning media:Ten_Commandments_of_Online_Learning.pdf‎

• The QIA excellence gateway has a very large number of documents advising on the implementation and use of a VLE

RSC contacts

Kevin Brace email contributed this article. He can be contacted by email and telephone, 01902 518931. For further information about the RSC West Midlands, visit our website at http://www.rsc-wm.ac.uk

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