View source for Moodle

{{short description|E-learning platform}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Moodle
| logo = [[File:Moodle-logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert|200px]]
| screenshot = 
| author = Martin Dougiamas
| developer = Martin Dougiamas<br />Moodle HQ<br />Moodle Community
| released = {{Start date and age|2002|08|20|df=yes/no}}
| latest_release_version = {{wikidata|property|reference|edit| Q190434 |P348}}
| latest_release_date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|single| Q190434 |P348|P577}}}}
| programming language = [[PHP]]
| operating system = Unix, Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, MacOS and any other systems that support PHP and a database, including web host providers. An app is also available for end-users.
| genre = [[Course management system]]
| license = [[GPLv3]]+<ref name=license>{{Cite web|url=https://git.moodle.org/gw?p=moodle.git;a=blob;f=COPYING.txt;h=94a9ed024d3859793618152ea559a168bbcbb5e2;hb=HEAD|title=Official Moodle git projects - moodle.git/blob - COPYING.txt|website=git.moodle.org}}</ref>
| website = {{url|https://moodle.org|moodle.org}}<br />{{url|https://moodle.com|moodle.com}}
}}

'''Moodle''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|uː|d|əl}} {{respell|MOO|dəl}}) is a [[free and open-source]] [[learning management system]] written in [[PHP]] and distributed under the [[GNU General Public License]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Moodle|title=Moodle|newspaper=Thefreedictionary.com |via=The Free Dictionary}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, Vol1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sC9Le3jIwzIC&q=moodle+in+encyclopedia&pg=PA505|isbn=9781605661995|last1=Rogers|first1=Patricia L.|date=2009-01-31| publisher=Idea Group Inc (IGI) }}</ref> Moodle is used for [[blended learning]], [[distance education]], [[flipped classroom]] and other online learning projects in schools, universities, workplaces and other sectors.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Opening up to open source: looking at how Moodle was adopted in higher education|journal = Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning|first=Eamon|last=Costello|date=1 November 2013|volume=28|issue=3|pages=187–200|doi=10.1080/02680513.2013.856289|s2cid = 54976320|url=http://doras.dcu.ie/19885/}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference |url=https://research.moodle.org/17/1/Gamified%20Moodle%20Course%20in%20a%20Corporate....pdf |title=Gamified Moodle Course in a Corporate Environment |first=Anna |last=Krassa |date=4 October 2013 |conference=2nd Moodle Research Conference (MRC2013) |location=Sousse, Tunisia |isbn=978-618-80889-0-0 |pages=84–93}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Ana|last=Horvat|author2=Dobrota, M.|author3=Krsmanovic, M.|author4=& Cudanov, M.|title=Student perception of Moodle learning management system: a satisfaction and significance analysis|journal=Interactive Learning Environments |date=2015|volume=23|issue=4|pages=515–527|doi=10.1080/10494820.2013.788033|s2cid=205708644}}</ref>

Moodle is used to create custom [[website]]s with online courses and allows for community-sourced plugins.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/wellington12/2012/images/custom/mcneil,_margot_-_a_pedagogical.pdf |title=A Pedagogical Evaluation of Moodle Extension |access-date=2015-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024041909/http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/wellington12/2012/images/custom/mcneil,_margot_-_a_pedagogical.pdf |archive-date=2013-10-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Porter |first=Gavin W. |date=7 June 2013 |title=Free choice of learning management systems: Do student habits override inherent system quality? |url=http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/188170/1/Content.pdf |journal=Interactive Technology and Smart Education |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=84–94 |doi=10.1108/ITSE-07-2012-0019 |hdl=10722/188170 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome cats-pyjamas.net – BlueHost.com |url=http://www.cats-pyjamas.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/MoodleToolGuideforTeachers_May2010_JS.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106232806/http://www.cats-pyjamas.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/MoodleToolGuideforTeachers_May2010_JS.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2020 |access-date=27 April 2015 |website=www.cats-pyjamas.net}}</ref>

== Overview ==
[[File:Martin Dougiamas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Martin Dougiamas in 2007]]
Moodle was originally developed by Martin Dougiamas to help educators and scholars create online courses and focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content. The first version of Moodle was released on {{start date and age|2002|8|20|df=y|paren=y}}, and it continues to be actively developed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Releases – MoodleDocs |url=https://docs.moodle.org/dev/Releases#Moodle_1.0 |access-date=2018-04-18 |website=docs.moodle.org |language=en}}</ref>

The Moodle Project is led and coordinated by Moodle HQ, an [[Australia]]n company, that is financially supported by a network of eighty Moodle Partner service companies worldwide. Development is also assisted by the [[open-source community]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opensource.com/life/15/4/how-moodle-manages-community-feedback|title=How Moodle is driven by user and community feedback|date=1 Apr 2015|first=Samantha|last=Gartner|website=Opensource.com}}</ref>

Moodle is a learning platform used to augment and move existing learning environments online.<ref>{{cite news|title= Technology that puts the classroom in students' laptops|newspaper= The Globe and Mail|date= 18 November 2014|url= https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/technology-that-puts-the-classroom-in-students-laptops/article21627186/|publisher= Adam Stanley, The Globe and Mail|last1= Stanley|first1= Adam}}</ref> As an [[E-learning]] tool, Moodle developed several features<ref>{{cite journal|title=E-assessment: Past, present and future|journal = New Directions|first=Sally|last=Jordan|volume=9|issue=1|pages=87–106|doi=10.11120/ndir.2013.00009|year = 2013|url=http://oro.open.ac.uk/38536/3/SEJ%20New%20Directions%202013%20d3.pdf}}</ref> now considered standard for learning management systems, such as a [[calendar]] and gradebook.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elearningindustry.com/online-grading-make-teaching-life-easier|title=Online Grading to Make Teaching Life Easier with Moodle|date=19 November 2014}}</ref>

Plugins, custom [[Theme (computing)|graphical themes]], mobile responsive web design, and a Moodle [[mobile app]] are available to customize each individual's experience on the platform. Moodle's mobile app is available on [[Google Play]], the [[App Store (Apple)|App Store for iOS]], and the [[Windows Phone Store]], but not on the [[F-Droid]] Android [[FLOSS]] repository.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moodle (#1682) · Issues · F-Droid / Requests For Packaging · GitLab |url=https://gitlab.com/fdroid/rfp/-/issues/1682 |access-date=2025-09-20 |website=GitLab |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Issue navigator – Moodle Tracker |url=https://moodle.atlassian.net/issues/?selectedIssue=MOBILE-3152 |access-date=2025-09-20 |website=moodle.atlassian.net}}</ref>
== E-learning standards support ==

Moodle has adopted the following e-learning standards:
* The [[Sharable Content Object Reference Model|Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)]] is a collection of E-learning standards and specifications that define communications between client-side content and a server-side learning management system, as well as how externally authored content should be packaged to integrate with the LMS effectively. There are two versions: SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004. Moodle is SCORM 1.2 compliant and passes all the tests in the ADL Conformance test suite 1.2.7 for SCORM 1.2. SCORM 2004 is not supported in Moodle; however, Rustici Software has a Moodle plugin that turn any Moodle site into a fully compliant SCORM 2004 LMS.<ref>{{cite web|title=SCORM Cloud Moodle Integration | url=http://scorm.com/scorm-solved/scorm-cloud-features/app-integrations/moodle-integration/ |publisher=scorm.com}}</ref>
* The AICC HACP standard for CMI was developed by the [[Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee|Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC)]] and is used to call externally authored content and assessment packages. AICC content packages are supported in Moodle 2.1 – Moodle 4.2.
* [[IMS Global|IMS]] Common Cartridge packages can also be imported into Moodle. In addition, Moodle Book activities can be exported as IMS Content Packages.
* [[Learning Tools Interoperability]] (LTI) is a standard way of integrating rich learning applications ,(often remotely hosted and provided through third-party services) with educational platforms. Moodle uses the External Tool activity to act as an 'LTI consumer' as standard and will act as an 'LTI provider' using a plugin.

== Deployment ==

Users can download and install Moodle on a [[Web server]], such as the [[Apache HTTP Server]], and a number of database management systems, such as [[MySQL]], are supported. Pre-built combinations of Moodle with a Web server and [[database]] are available for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Mac (computer)|Mac]]. Other automated installation approaches exist, such as installing a [[Debian]] package, deploying a ready-to-use [[TurnKey Linux Virtual Appliance Library|TurnKey]] Moodle appliance, using the [[Bitnami]] installer, or using a "one-click install" service such as Installatron.

Certified Moodle Partners provide other Moodle services, including hosting, training, customization and content development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moodle.com/partners/|title=List of Moodle Partners|date=25 June 2021|publisher=Moodle}}</ref> This network of providers supports the development of the Moodle project through royalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://moodle.com/partners/about/|title=How do the Moodle Partners work?|publisher=Moodle|access-date=2014-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722023159/http://moodle.com/partners/about/|archive-date=2014-07-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date = April 2015|reason = Needs reliable, third-party published sources (not from Moodle, press releases, blogs, etc.) in order to keep this claim in the article.}}

==Interoperability==

Moodle runs without modification on [[Unix]], [[Linux]], [[FreeBSD]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[MacOS]] and any other systems that support [[PHP]] and a database, including web host providers.

Moodle also has import features for use with other specific systems, such as importing quizzes or entire courses from [https://docs.moodle.org/403/en/Blackboard_migration Blackboard] or WebCT.

In March 2012 Blackboard acquired two companies based on Moodle's software including Baltimore-based [[Moodlerooms]] Inc. and NetSpot of Adelaide, Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blackboard makes Moodle acquisitions | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2012/03/26/blackboard-makes-moodle-acquisitions.html |publisher=bizjournals.com}}</ref> In August 2015, Blackboard acquired Colombia-based Nivel7. The [[Red Hat]] site, Opensource.com, reported that Moodle will always be an [[open-source software|open-source]] project, with clear delineation between Blackboard and Moodle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moodle will always be an open source project | url=https://opensource.com/education/14/10/open-access-learning-moodle |publisher=opensource.com}}</ref>

== Background ==

=== Origins ===
Martin Dougiamas, who has graduate degrees in [[computer science]] and [[education]], wrote the first version of Moodle. Dougiamas started a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] to examine "the use of [[open source software]] to support a [[social constructionist]] [[epistemology]] of teaching and learning within Internet-based communities of reflective inquiry." Although how exactly social constructivism makes Moodle different from other eLearning platforms is difficult to show, it has been cited as an important factor by Moodle adopters.<ref>{{Cite conference|last=Weller | first=M. | title=VLE 2.0 and future directions in learning environments | publisher=Proceedings of the first LAMS Conference, Sydney|year=2006 | url=https://www.lamsfoundation.org/lams2006/pdfs/Weller_Lams06.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McMulli & Munroe |title=VMoodle at DCU |url=http://odtl.dcu.ie/wp/2004/odtl-2004-01.html |year=2004 |access-date=18 September 2009 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513122617/http://odtl.dcu.ie/wp/2004/odtl-2004-01.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other Moodle adopters, such as the [[Open University]] in the UK, have pointed out that Learning Management Systems can equally be seen as "relatively pedagogy-neutral".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sclater|first=Neil|title=A Large-scale Open Source eLearning Systems at the Open University|journal=[[Educause]]|url=http://connect.educause.edu/Library/Abstract/LargeScaleOpenSourceELear/46878|year=2008|access-date=2009-09-18|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726133033/http://connect.educause.edu/Library/Abstract/LargeScaleOpenSourceELear/46878|archive-date=2012-07-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Pedagogical approach ===
The stated philosophy of Moodle includes a [[Constructivism (pedagogical)|constructivist]] and [[Social constructionism|social constructionist]] approach to education, emphasizing that learners (and not just teachers) can contribute to the educational experience.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philosophy – MoodleDocs |url=https://docs.moodle.org/311/en/Philosophy |website=docs.moodle.org}}</ref> Using these [[Pedagogy|pedagogical]] principles, Moodle provides an environment for learning communities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Open-Source Learning Management System|url=http://www.moodlerooms.com/resources/moodle-resources/|publisher=Moodlerooms|access-date=2012-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227034938/http://www.moodlerooms.com/resources/moodle-resources/|archive-date=2010-12-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Origin of name ===
The acronym ''Moodle'' officially stands for ''modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment''. When the project was first started, the "m" instead stood for "Martin's", after original developer Martin Dougiamas. Besides being an acronym, the name was also chosen because of the dictionary definition of Moodle, with connotations such as "tinkering", "insight", and "creativity",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allwords.com/word-moodle.html|title=Moodle definition|publisher=All Words}}</ref> as well as to correspond to an available domain name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=27533#129848|title=The chicken or the egg|date=16 July 2005 |publisher=Moodle.org Lounge}}</ref>

== Development ==
Moodle has continued to evolve since 1999 (since 2001 with the current architecture). It has been translated into over 100 different languages and is accessible in many countries worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Language packs – MoodleDocs |url=https://docs.moodle.org/311/en/Language_packs |website=docs.moodle.org}}</ref> Institutions can add as many Moodle servers as needed without having to pay license fees. 

== Moodle conferences ==
The MoodleMoot is a conference for Moodle community members to learn about Moodle, share experiences of the learning platform, discuss research in related educational technologies and contribute ideas to future Moodle development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://moodle.com/events/|title=Events|website=Moodle|date=3 April 2019}}</ref> Held around the world, MoodleMoots are organised by universities or other large organizations using Moodle, Moodle Partners, Moodle associations or Moodle HQ. 2020 saw the #Moot move to a virtual conference.

==Adoption==
Moodle has over 50% market share in Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.<ref>"[https://eliterate.us/academic-lms-market-share-view-across-four-global-regions/ Academic LMS Market Share: A view across four global regions]". e-Literate. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019</ref>

In the U.S. higher education market as of fall 2021, the top three learning management systems (LMS) by number of institutions were [[Instructure#Canvas|Canvas]] (30%), Moodle (21%), and Blackboard (20%).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ménard |first=Justin |date=2021-11-08 |title=How Moodle Overtook Blackboard |url=https://listedtech.com/blog/moodle-overtook-blackboard/ |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=ListEdTech |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2013, Moodle was for a time the second largest provider with 23% [[market share]], following [[Blackboard Learning System|Blackboard]] (41%).<ref>{{Citation | url = https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5757372f8a65e295305044dc/t/5ba78e09a4222f49479ebd56/1537707547035/CampusComputing+-+2013+Report.pdf | year = 2013 | title = A Profile of the LMS Market (page 47) | publisher = CampusComputing}}.</ref> However, by 2017, Moodle had dropped to the third largest provider, due in part to increased adoption of [[Instructure|Instructure's]] semi-open source<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/instructure/canvas-lms|title=FAQ · instructure/canvas-lms Wiki|website=GitHub|date=16 January 2022}}</ref> Canvas platform.<ref>{{cite web|title=LMS Data--Spring 2017 Updates|url=https://edutechnica.com/2017/03/12/lms-data-spring-2017-updates/|website=Edutechnica|date=12 March 2017 |publisher=Client Stat|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> In March 2016, Blackboard became an official Moodle partner,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moodlenews.com/2016/blackboard-is-now-an-official-moodle-partner/|title=Blackboard Is Now An Official Moodle Partner|date=2016-03-14|work=Moodle News|access-date=2018-04-18|language=en-US}}</ref> although this partnership ended in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://moodle.com/news/moodle-ends-partnership-blackboard/|title=Moodle ends partnership with Blackboard|date=2018-07-27|work=Moodle|access-date=2022-03-23|language=en-US}}</ref>

In the UK, the [[Open University]] currently uses a Moodle installation for their 200,000 users<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxpromagazine.com/Online/News/Simply-the-Best-Case-Study-for-Moodle-at-Open-University|title=Simply the Best: Case Study for Moodle at Open... » Linux Magazine|first=Anika|last=Kehrer}}</ref> while the government uses a Moodle installation for the Civil Service Learning platform serving half a million employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leolearning.com/case-studies/|title=Case Studies &#124; Innovative Digital Learning &#124; LEO Learning|website=leolearning.com}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [[Educational technology]]
* [[Student Information System]]
* [[Learning management system]]
* [[Online learning community]]
* [[List of learning management systems]]
* [[List of free and open-source software packages]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Moodle |b=no |n=no |q=no |s=no |v=Moodle |species=no |display=Moodle}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://skylms.io/product/whatsapp-for-moodle-full-package/ Moodle and WhatsApp Integration Plugin]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224124635/https://moodlms.com/product/whatsapp-for-moodle-plugins-institutions/ |date=24 December 2021 }}
* [https://moodlecloud.com/ Cloud based, subscription model of Moodle]

{{Classroom management software}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2002 software]]
[[Category:Classroom management software]]
[[Category:Cross-platform software]]
[[Category:Free content management systems]]
[[Category:Free educational software]]
[[Category:Free learning management systems]]
[[Category:Free learning support software]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in PHP]]
[[Category:Learning management systems]]
[[Category:Virtual learning environments]]
[[Category:Software using the GNU General Public License]]
[[Category:Learning platforms]]