turbo charging moodle
TRANSCRIPT
Turbo Charging MoodleMaking Moodle do more for you!
Aim of this workshopWe Will๏ Introduce you to the concepts of Moodle contrib code
๏ Provide users with links of where to find good code
๏ Show users how to install code into their own Moodle’s
We Won’t๏ This is NOT a technical workshop
๏ No prior experience expected
๏ Coding required
What is MoodleMoodle is FOSS
Moodle is ModularMoodle has a large community
Moodle is built by educators, for educators
Software which is liberally licensed to grant the right of users to study, change and improve its design through the availability of its source code.
Free as in FREEDOM
Free and Open Source Software
(often also free as a free beer/gratis)
Moodle is FOSS
Moodle is ModularMoodle is built on a modular design.
This allows users to add new functionality just by dropping extra folders into their moodle site.
No coding skills are typically* required to add news blocks.
Moodle has a large Community
6002,501
9,318
21,151
38,218
47,653
Feb 2004 Feb 2005 Feb 2006 Feb 2007 Feb 2008 Aug 2008
over 47,600learning communities
by over
21 millionusers
Moodle has a large Community
Global Collaboration with
Skilled Developers
Moodle is built by educators!
For Educators!
Supporting
different
learningand
teachingstyles
Getting additional features
What is contrib code?Where can I find contrib code?
How do I plug-in contrib codeIs it safe to use?
What is contrib code?Contrib code is:
...community contributed code
...typically written by users who have a
specific need they need met
...based on API’s that allow for relative ease
in adding new functionality
...available as dozens of projects available
Where can I find contrib code?
Modules and Plugins Database
Moodle Contrib CVS (hosted by Sourceforge)
Moodle Forums
Directly from Moodle users
Where can I find contrib code?
Create your own:
Should you have the skills, skilled staff of funds to out-source development you can create your own.
Moodle is built on Open Source technologies enabling developers to create new code
Documentation is available online to assist as well as a helpful online developer community on the moodle forums.
Is it safe to use?
The answer to this is ‘Not Always’Moodle is made by users with ranging degrees of experience
Always do your research
Is anyone else using it?
Are their comments in the M&P Database
Check the Moodle forums.
Never install straight into production!!! Always test first
How do I plug-in contrib code?
Step OneUpload the files to the relevant location
The locations are normally outlined in the readme that comes with the files.
Step TwoInstall the language pack (use en_utf8_local)
This allows for easier management.
Step ThreeGo to the admin Notifications screen for automatic install
THAT’S IT!
Best Practice TipsAlways test on a separate system than your production box. Tools like XAMPP and MAMP can allow you to install Moodle on your desktop to play with code before putting it on a live server
What can we extendResources
ActivitiesThemesBlocks
Quiz Question TypesExternal Systems FiltersReports
Resources and Activities
Themes
๏ Meet brand requirements
๏ Match an existing site
๏ Present a more engaging design for your particular audience
๏ Establish a unique look and feel for your site. be a Stand out!
Why Use Themes
Quiz Question Types
Connect with external Systems
Also available add-ons include
Filters
Reports Blocks
Additional modular functions include:
Playtime
DEMO
Additional InfoUseful Links
The Moodle Playpen
Useful Links
Official Moodle Modules and plugins database
http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?id=6009
Moodle Contrib on CVS via Sourceforge
http://moodle.cvs.sourceforge.net/moodle/contrib/
Moodle Forums
http://moodle.org/course/view.php?id=5
MoodleDocs - The official wiki
http://docs.moodle.org
The Moodle Playpen
http://playpen.moodle.com.au
http://moodleman.net
The Moodleman Blog provides links to the Moodle Playpen.
The Playpen is a site where you can play with non-standard modules and plugins without having to instal them onto your own site.
The Playpen now exists in two flavors:
A standard 1.9.4+ versionAn Alpha Moodle 2.0 version
This is a demo site and occasionally things may not work as expected.
ThankyouPresenter: Julian Ridden
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: moodleman
www: http://moodleman.net
http://www.moodleman.net