Moodle

Moodle
Original author(s)	Martin Dougiamas
Developer(s)	Martin Dougiamas and the Moodle development community
Initial release	August 20, 2002
Stable release	4.4 (April 22, 2024; 6 months ago) [±]
Preview release	none [±]
Written in	PHP
Operating system	Cross-platform
Type	Content management system; Course management system
License(s)	GNU General Public License v3
Website	Moodle.org

Moodle (an initialism for modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment) is a free open-source e-learning software platform, also known as a course management system, learning management system, or virtual learning environment. Not having to pay license fees or to limit growth, an institution that adopts Moodle can add as many Moodle servers as needed.

The Moodle project comprises several distinct but related elements, namely:

the software
Moodle Pty Ltd. (also known as Moodle Headquarters or the Moodle Trust, based in Perth, Western Australia), an Australian company which performs the majority of the development of the core Moodle platform
the Moodle Community, an open network of over one million registered users who interact through the Moodle community website to share ideas, code, information, and free support
the Moodle Partners network, which forms the commercial arm of the Moodle environment and provides the bulk of the funding to Moodle Pty Ltd through the payment of royalties

Product history

Moodle was originally developed by Martin Dougiamas to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content. The name for the project was decided in January 1999, with several prototypes emerging by late 2000.^[2] A new code base was created from scratch in early 2001, followed by a public alpha by the end of the year.^[2] Beta versions and release candidates were worked on until Version 1.0 of Moodle was released on August 20, 2002.^[1]^[2]

In November 2005, the Open University of the UK announced it would adopt a Moodle-based infrastructure as "a comprehensive online student learning environment for the 21st century,"^[3] eventually flouting one of the largest Moodle implementations, representing over 600,000 students.^[4]

By July 2011 it had a user base of over 53,000 registered and verified sites, serving over 44 million users in 4.5 million courses.^[5]

Features

A full list of features of Moodle, with explanation for each feature, can be found on the Moodle wiki.

Hardware/software requirements

"A Moodle installation will require planning," states the Moodle website. As a Moodle installation requires several components, please consult the installation page on the wiki.

Videos, screenshots, and other media

Screenshots for Moodle are sprinkled throughout the Moodle documentation.

A wealth of Moodle-related videos can found at MoodleCommons.org.

Access the online demo here.

Entities using Moodle

Examples of entities using Moodle include:

BioPharma Institute; Colorado Agriculture Education; Inclusion Research Institute; Landmark College Institute for Research and Training; Oxford Open Learning; Raabe College of Pharmacy; UW Center For Health Sciences Interprofessional Education, Practice, and Research; University of Brewing; University of Texas at San Antonio; University of Victoria; University of Wisconsin Department of Mathematics

A full directory of Moodle users can be found at the Moodle website.