Moodle Review

Product:
Vendor:
Founded:
Headquarters:

Moodle
Moodle
2001
Perth, Australia

Ownership:
Customers:
Deployment Model:
Free Trial:

Private
173,000 sites
Cloud, On-Premise
Yes

Product Overview

Moodle is an open-source learning management platform designed to help schools educate their students. Moodle is based on a modular design that lets teachers and administrators build their own curriculum using plug-ins for various workflows, content and activities.

Users have a choice of either installing their Moodle account on their servers or in the cloud. The cloud-based platform, called MoodleCloud, provides several benefits, such as accessibility anytime, scalability and a very short implementation process.

Although it was originally intended for schools, Moodle is also used in companies as corporate training. Corporations can take advantage of several of Moodle’s plug-ins, such as the lesson and SCORM modules for creating content, feedback module for evaluations, quiz module for tests, and templates for re-using content. There’s also the Moodle Workplace solution that allows companies to customize the LMS to fit their unique needs. It includes features such as the ability to build learning and compliance programs, organization structure, multi-tenancy, a report builder and social learning.

There is also a dedicated mobile app, Moodle Mobile, that’s accessible for both teachers and students. Students can look up coursework, enroll in classes, chat with other students and access their grades. Teachers can add or adjust content and grade students’ coursework. The app is available via the Apple store and Google Play.

As developers from multiple countries contributes their expertise to Moodle’s plug-ins, Moodle accommodates multiple languages (translations from more than 140 languages are available).

Features

Moodle includes many features, but we want to point out some key ones.

First, there is the BigBlueButton feature where users can meet via video conferencing. A presenter can upload PowerPoints or other documents, share presentations via whiteboards or communicate with students via public or private chat. This feature allows web-cam capability as well as desktop sharing. There is even an emoji tool for students to provide feedback or ask questions. A BigBlueButton presentation can also be available for playback if a student missed it or need a refresher. Note that this solution accommodates up to six users at once.

Another feature is the Quizventure which has the purpose to make tests and quizzes more fun. Students can take the tests as if they’re playing a spaceship game.

There’s an additional gamification module called Level Up XP that sets progressive checkpoints throughout the course. As students reach a specific checkpoint, a Level Up XP notification is sent congratulating them and the students receive an “experience point” that’s awarded at the discretion of the teacher.

Additional Moodle features include:

• Learning pathways
• Content delivery
• Tests/assessments
• Notifications on course requirements, deadlines and more
• Reports and analytics

Target Market

Moodle is used by both schools and corporations worldwide. We’ve listed ten of its customers below:

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Implementation/Integration

Users that prefer to have an on-premise version of Moodle can download the solution from the community site. Users that want the cloud-based Moodle deployment can sign up for an account via MoodleCloud’s site. However, training and additional implementation needs are handled by a Moodle Partner.

Customer Service & Support

Moodle provides a community site where users can find information on product upgrades, download the latest release, access documentation on software features, and communicate with other users in a forum. MoodleCloud users that need further support can contact their designated Moodle Partner.

Moodle also provides user conferences called MoodleMoots that allows users to network with Moodle developers and partners as well as learn new things about Moodle. MoodleMoots are held throughout the year at various locations.

Pricing

MoodleCloud comes with five pricing tiers based on the number of users and the amount of storage. Each tier includes all of the features of Moodle, such as unlimited courses and activities, a mobile app, a personalized site name, session recording and web conferencing with BigBlueButton.

Users can participate in a 45-day free trial that includes 1,000 users and 5 GB of storage. Once the trial ends, they can choose from any of the five tiers. The tiers are:

• Starter: $120 per year for 50 users and 250 MB of storage
• Mini: $210 per year for 100 users and 500 MB of storage
• Small: $390 per year for 200 users and 1 GB of storage
• Medium: $900 per year for 500 users and 2.5 GB of storage
• Standard: $1,700 per year for 1,000 users and 5 GB of storage

Moodle provides Premium and Enterprise hosting plans for organizations with over 1,000 users, with higher storage requirements or that want more customization and flexibility. Pricing for both plans isn’t available, so companies will need to contact Moodle for a quote.

The Premium plan accommodates up to 100,000 users and up to 100 TB of storage. In addition to unlimited courses and activities, it includes a support portal staffed by Moodle Experts, enhanced branding features, custom domains, a community plug-in library, multi-tenancy, integration with Student Information Systems (SIS) and Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), control of scheduling for feature upgrades, SOC 2 compliance and choice of geographic hosting region.

The Enterprise hosting tier supports up to millions of users and has unlimited storage. It adds on designated success specialists, a course library, enhanced security profiles and custom service level agreements (SLA).

Moodle Workplace is only available via Moodle’s Certified Service Providers network. Pricing can vary depending on the provider, and prospects will need to consider additional costs for services, such as software integration, implementation and support.

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Shortcomings

The MoodleCloud plans are only intended for up to 1,000 users. Organizations that require a plan with 1,000 users will have to work with a Moodle Partner.

Some users have also reported that Moodle is not always user friendly or intuitive.

Screenshots

About

Moodle debuted in 2001 with its first public software. Since then, it has grown to over 252 million users in over 240 countries. In 2004, Moodle started its Moodle Partner Program, a network of over 70 partners that offer services such as implementation, consulting, support and software hosting. Moodle generates about 10% of revenue from its partners.

Moodle abides by five company values: education, respect, integrity, openness and innovation. Its mission is also seven-fold, which includes supporting teachers in their teaching and supporting learners in their learning.

Moodle entered a partnership with Blackboard Inc. in 2012 when Blackboard acquired MoodleRooms.

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