e-Learning Blog

Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is an open-source learning management system (LMS). Educational institutions and companies can use Moodle to create their own online learning environments and manage and deliver courses and training. Additionally, Moodle provides features that help educators create course content, communicate with learners, and provide assessment and feedback.

Moodle includes many features to support educational activities. These include scheduling for courses, forums, quizzes, and assignment submissions. Students can access materials and learn through online tests and group discussions.

Moodle adopts a module-based design, allowing for the addition of extra features and extension modules (plugins) to enhance its functionality. There are both standard Moodle plugins and third-party plugins available. Users can also create and add their own plugins. Adequate attention is paid to security, providing data protection and privacy features.

In addition, Moodle is working to support different user groups, such as multilingual support and improved accessibility. The Moodle community is widespread and active, with educators and developers from around the world providing information sharing and support. Overall, Moodle is an open-source learning management system with flexibility, customization, and security. It is a powerful tool for supporting modern education.

For more information, please also check out our blog below.
＞ [Moodle Basic Course] What is Moodle?

What is Open Source Software?
Open Source Software is software that allows anyone to view, use, modify, and teach others without any special permissions. The people who create this software aim to collaborate and come up with new ideas and evolve together by allowing everyone to view and improve the source code. Since the inner workings of the software are visible, it becomes easier to understand how it works and to identify problems and areas for improvement.

SaaS-based LMS
"SaaS" is an abbreviation for "Software as a Service", which means "software as a service". It is a service that allows you to use software on the cloud through the internet. SaaS-based LMS allows you to use an LMS built on the cloud by a vendor, making it easy and quick to start using. However, there may be limitations on the functionality of the LMS. The degree of customization is low, so you cannot use more features than what the vendor provides. Also, user information and course materials registered by users are all stored on the vendor's managed cloud server. Avoiding security risks such as unauthorized access and information leakage is left to the vendor.
Here, we will compare open source LMS and SaaS-based LMS and introduce their advantages and disadvantages.

●Benefits

There is a cost merit because there is no license fee
Open source LMS does not require a license fee. It can be used for free. On the other hand, SaaS type LMS requires a license fee. If the license fee is 100 yen per person per month, the cost for 1,000 people for one year will be 1.2 million yen. For Moodle, you can get the latest Moodle application for free from "Downloads" on https://moodle.org/. Installation instructions are available. Just because it is free does not mean that it is inferior in quality compared to platforms other than open source. It has all the necessary functions. There is no limit on the number of users, so it can be used by 100 people or 100,000 people.

Utilize a large and active community
There is a large and active community of developers and contributors. They continuously work on improving and enhancing the software. In the "Beginner's Question Forum", you can ask questions and receive answers if you are unsure about something while using the software. In the "Site Security Forum", there is an exchange of information on how to safely operate a Moodle site. Anyone can collaborate to contribute to the development of Moodle. Typically, SaaS-based LMS do not have such a large community.

Security
Developers monitor the source code and detect bugs, and through established processes, quickly fix them to reduce vulnerabilities. If there are any security concerns, security alerts will be posted online and email alerts will be sent to registered users. Information is shared immediately. The response is on par with SaaS-based LMS.

Customizable to fit your unique educational system
When using a SaaS-type LMS, it can be difficult to meet requests such as "I want it to be like this for our educational system" or "It would be great if it had this function". However, with an open-source LMS, the source code is publicly available, allowing you to develop and incorporate the functions you want. In addition, over 1,900 plugins, known as extensions, are provided free of charge from Moodle.org. By utilizing these, you can create an e-learning environment that fits your unique educational system.

Can be built in a unique environment
There are cases where you want to handle highly confidential e-learning materials and create your own LMS environment to manage all data by yourself. When you want to use materials such as trade secrets for employee education, an open source type LMS is ideal. It is also possible to build an LMS in an on-premise environment within the company and not connect it to the internet. With a SaaS type LMS, it is not possible to provide such an environment.

●Disadvantages

Technical knowledge of servers is required
Open source LMS can be built on either on-premise or cloud. However, you will need to prepare your own server. You will need to install the server OS, web server, and DB server, and then install Moodle downloaded there and make necessary settings. The steps are carefully explained in Moodle Documentation, but technical knowledge of servers is required. In the case of SaaS type LMS, it is provided in a state where the vendor can use it, so you can use it immediately without such technical knowledge.

Support System Required
In the case of open source LMS, it is not possible to receive support from the developer. New versions are released regularly, but version upgrades must be done by the user. In addition, when upgrading versions, updates to the server OS and middleware may also be required. It is also necessary to regularly check for vulnerabilities and address them. To operate an open source LMS, a support system is necessary to handle these tasks. With SaaS LMS, all of these tasks are taken care of by the vendor, so users can use it without any worries.

There is no comprehensive manual
In SaaS-type LMS, a "manual" with usage instructions is generally provided. However, in the case of open source LMS, it is better to assume that there is no comprehensive "manual" available. However, necessary information for operation can be found on the website, and it is possible to search for answers to specific operation questions in the community.

Although there are some disadvantages to Moodle, an open-source LMS, we will introduce ways to overcome those disadvantages specifically for Moodle.

Introduction, maintenance and operation support are provided by private companies.

The introduction and maintenance of open source LMS requires technical and human resources. You can use services provided by private companies to support these aspects. Human Science Co., Ltd. offers the following services for Moodle.

The following patterns are supported for implementation.
・Build Moodle on the on-premise environment prepared by the customer
・Build Moodle on the cloud environment contracted by the customer
・Build Moodle on the cloud environment prepared by Human Science
In addition, we also provide customization and development of plugins.
We will build the specified version of Moodle, make settings according to your usage, and provide you with an administrator account so you can start using it immediately.

In addition, we offer the following services for maintenance and operation:
・Regular maintenance
・Version upgrades
・Inquiry support (via phone or email)
・Usage seminars
・Provision of general manuals (for administrators, instructors, and participants)
During version upgrades, we will also reapply customizations. We are also available for consultation regarding plugin compatibility.

For more information, please see the blog below.
＞ [Moodle Basic Course] Moodle Security Measures
＞ What types of plugins does Moodle have?

Open source LMS has great appeal. You can take advantage of many benefits such as no license fees, large communities, customization and plugins. There are also some disadvantages, but by using services from vendors like Human Science, it is possible to make up for them.

Human Science has been providing Moodle services since 2008 and became an official partner in 2017. We have accumulated expertise and a track record of over 700 projects and more than 80 cases for companies, schools, and organizations. We offer a total solution for Moodle implementation (including content creation) and operation support. We also provide support services for Moodle via phone and email, ensuring peace of mind for maintenance and operation. Please consult with Human Science when using the open source LMS Moodle.

Please refer to Human Science Co., Ltd.'s e-learning site.
＞ Moodle Implementation Support and Operation
＞ e-Learning Material Production
＞ e-Learning Material Translation (Multilingual Support, Localization)