MOODLE — Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, Modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment. Freeware learning management system open source, used to create web sites for distance learning.
Examples of international websites on the Moodle platform:
- Athabasca University (Canada)
- The Open University (England)
- Flinders University (Australia)
- Quincy University (USA)
- Anaheim University (USA)
Pros:
- The most popular LMS in the world
- Free, open source (download)
- A large online community at the official website moodle.org
- Detailed documentation and many tutorials
- Has a built-in course development system that can implement a large number of pedagogical techniques, including project-based learning
Cons:
- Difficult to master (usually this is the main complaint of users, however, for the last time it made a lot of steps to simplify the work with Moodle, but with the help of our free online course on Moodle You will be able to quickly learn the system)
- Demanding on the server
- For functionality expansion or repair occurring in the system of software errors may require the help of professionals
A brief overview and history
The first version of Moodle was released in 2002 and starting in the middle of the zero years, LMS Moodle has gained great popularity in the world. Version Moodle 2.0 was introduced in late 2010, which triggered a second wave of popularity in 2012-2013 By this time in Moodle 2 have been corrected and there were features that helped to partially cope with the problems complained of by users of the first version. Now Moodle continues to develop but meets a lot of competitors, in particular from the “cloud” services.
Educational material in the system is structured in such a course. Courses can be implemented in different representation formats of the content. Content courses represent the resources (web pages, files), activity items — activities (assignments, tests, forums, questionnaires, etc.) and blocks (additional navigation, information or functionality on the course page). Learning plan for online learning, the flexibility to configure access to the educational elements, mass and selective mailing, to analyze the results of the activities of students. A possible implementation of the learning groups in one course, and also operating a “global group” in the whole site, or category of courses. There is a powerful system development tests and analysis of test results. It is possible to play SCORM 1.2. Has built-in messaging (not instant). Each user has a home page (personal space).
A high degree of immersion in interactive and project-based learning activity provide some interesting elements such as a Glossary (compiling a database of definitions-values), database, wiki (collaborative creation of sets of web pages), workshop (work on the evaluation of fellow students).
In our opinion, Moodle is more focused on the implementation of mixed, rather than purely distance learning. Due to the high “flexibility” in the settings, as well as open-source, educators, researchers can implement a large number of interesting pedagogical approaches.
To extend the functionality of the system developed many plugins which allow, in particular, to realize the integration of systems, web conferencing (Openmeeting, Big Blue Button), file storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), plagiarism and electronic portfolio. Implemented a system of assigning rewards (Badges) integrated with Open Badges. The underlying theme adapted for mobile devices. There is also a mobile application for Android, iOS and Windows.