Moodle 2.2.2, 2.1.5, 2.0.8 and 1.9.17 updates

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Submitted by Bryan on

I haven't done one these for awhile...a Moodle release announcement. Last year, we took Moodle off our Top 30 CMS Focus list so it isn't on my radar too often. But like so many great content applications out there, just because it isn't on our list doesn't mean you shouldn't still consider them for your CMS.  

Below is almost a straight copy and paste from the release announcement at Moodle.org. Be sure to also pay attention to the release notes for additional details. And yes, as a non-Moodle user I too was confused as why there are four different versions of Moodle being supported and updated. The explanation is at the end of the announcement.

 Moodle 2.2.2, 2.1.5, 2.0.8 and 1.9.17 are now available

Moodle 2.2.2, Moodle 2.1.5, Moodle 2.0.8 and Moodle 1.9.17 have been released.

In addition to a number of bug fixes and small improvements, security vulnerabilities have been discovered and fixed. As always, Moodle recommends that you upgrade your sites to these latest versions as soon as possible. All admins of registered Moodle sites have been notified with security issue details.

Upgrading should be very straightforward. Full details about the releases can be found in the release notes:

The releases themselves are available via the Moodle download page as packages or direct from our CVS and Git repositories.

Moodle 2.1 Released

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Submitted by Bryan on

Martin Dougiamas from Moodle.org announced today the release of Moodle 2.1. Moodle is a learning management system which in simple terms can be described as a niche CMS geared toward the education field.

Moodle LogoMajor new features in Moodle 2.1 include the following:

  • A new question engine (used by quizzes, for example), which makes questions more robust and will enable developers to create all kinds of interesting question types in the future.
  • Restoring of Moodle 1.9 backups is now possible.
  • Moodle 2.1 now directly supports mobile apps for some functions. In addition, there is direct support for mobile-specific Moodle Themes and automatic detection of mobile browsers.

Digging into the release notes, you'll also find additional changes in this version of Moodle include:

  • Ability to copy (or clone) an activity
  • Ability to navigate navigation/settings menu and dock with keyboard
  • Improved plugins check/overview page
  • Upgraded TinyMCE (a rich text editor) to the latest version 3.4.2
  • New performance setting for calculating an appropriate timeout during large cURL requests
  • Daylight saving should be calculated for users having string timezone
  • Messaging Improvements: Site administrators can now control which message delivery methods can be used for each message type

Moodle 2.1 is available from a number of sources including packaged form from the Moodle download page, direct access via a git repository or one of Moodle's CVS mirrors.

New SCORM accolade for eXact learning solutions’ LCMS

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eXact Learning Solutions, one of the world’s leading providers of learning content management systems (LCMS) and digital repository (DR) solutions, has announced that the latest version of its LCMS – eXact LCMS version 7 – has been certified as conforming to the latest  SCORM standard: SCORM 2004 Third Edition.

The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of standards and specifications adapted from multiple sources to provide a suite of e-learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility and reusability of web-based learning content.  SCORM 2004 is currently the ‘de facto’ e-learning standard for interchanging learning content between compliant LMS and LCMS systems.

Fabrizio Cardinali, the Chair of the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG) and CEO of eXact learning solutions, North America, commented: “Without internationally accepted standards such as SCORM, developers such as eXact learning solutions would not have been able to make - and continue to make - breakthroughs in the application of learning technologies."

According to Donato Mangialardo, Director of Marketing and Product Strategy at eXact learning solutions: “The main advantage of SCORM 2004 version over its predecessor – SCORM 1.2 - is that SCORM 2004 enables authors to create standards-compliant adaptive learning contents which can be sequenced into personalised learning experiences based on user performance and interactions.

eXact learning solutions words to prevent human trafficking by developing a mobile learning showcase

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Submitted by boblittle on

The leading learning content management and digital repository solution provider, eXact learning solutions, is among a number of companies which have combined their expertise and products to provide mobile learning materials to US Department of Defense (DoD) personnel to help them combat human trafficking.

In a proclamation made at the end of December last year, Barack Obama, the President of the USA, named January 2011 as ‘National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.’ President Obama said: “Our Nation was founded on the enduring principles of equality and freedom for all. As Americans, it is our solemn responsibility to honor and uphold this legacy.”

“Yet, around the world and even within the United States, victims of modern slavery are deprived of the most basic right of freedom. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking, and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious human rights violation.”

Book on English teaching using Moodle

Packt is pleased to announce a new book that is aimed at helping Moodlers achieve outstanding results by using the ready-to-use recipes for reading comprehension, writing and composition from the book Moodle: The English teachers Cookbook. Written in a cookbook style by Silvina P. Hillar, this book is a guide that will help users improve their skills in Moodle and enhance their way of teaching in virtual classrooms.

Moodle is a free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites. It is designed to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content. Its open source license and modular design allows any developer to create additional modules and features.

The book starts off by teaching users to connect simple activities using Moodle that will improve student’s writing in different ways. Furthermore they will be able to match images, texts and import different pictures to their Moodle course. Embedding social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to create stories and design interactive activities will also be learnt from the book.

Instructional Material using Moodle 1.9

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Submitted by richarddias on

Selecting and organizing the material

If you're like most instructors, you love your subject and the idea of sharing information gives you great satisfaction. However, you have probably noticed that it's easy to overload your students, or to give them materials in a way that tends to confuse them. How can you avoid overloading and confusing your students?

One of the most effective ways to do so is to make sure that you base your selections of instructional materials on course outcomes and on the learning objectives for each unit. Keep in mind what you'd like your students to be able to do after they complete the course. What is the basic, enduring knowledge they will take with them after the course is over? What kind of fundamental change do you want to occur in terms of the student's abilities? What kind of new skills will they be able to perform?

Once you answer these questions, you will have a list of learning outcomes. Keep them in mind as you select the instructional material you wish to use in your course.

It is often convenient to develop a map or a diagram that connects your learning outcomes with the course materials and the assessments you will use. Consider what you want your students to learn, and how you'd like them to perform. Also, you shape the sequence you will build and how you'll present the materials.

It is often convenient to develop a map or a diagram that connects your learning outcomes with the course materials and the assessments you will use. Consider what you want your students to learn, and how you'd like them to perform. Also, you shape the sequence you will build and how you'll present the materials.

Using forums to present your material

We'll start with an approach that is very easy to implement, which is ideal if you're just getting started and need a solution that would be good for all kinds of e-learning, including mobile learning and guided independent study.

pTools Drives New Pensions Board Learning Content Management System

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pTools today announced the completion of a significant deployment of pTools Content Management Software (CMS) for the new Pensions Board online learning service. 

Available to pension scheme trustees (of which there are more than 200,000) and anyone working in the pension’s industry, the service provides training free of charge in an easy to use, self-managed environment. The new initiative was designed to respond to new legislation which, from 1st February, requires all pension scheme trustees to undertake training at least once every two years.

The system includes extensive user management and learning content management features driven by the core pTools content management engine.  pTools worked with The Pensions Board and pensions industry partners to deliver the technology behind the online learning solution that is easy to use, intuitive and capable of being updated to reflect a continuously evolving regulatory environment.

New Book on the Moodle Learning Management System

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Moodle Course Conversion: Beginner’s Guide is a new book from Packt that provides the quickest way for teachers and trainers to turn their familiar teaching materials into a Moodle e-learning course. Written by Ian Wild, this book helps to add multimedia, and incorporate existing sounds and videos to improve a course by converting the existing handouts, worksheets, and other resources into Moodle courses.

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