Rapid Expansion of Moodle Usage Due to COVID-19! Latest Updates on Classes and Training Using LMS

2022.01.24

Moodle

Case Studies

Moodle Implementation Support and Operation Services

Since the spread of the new coronavirus, there have been significant changes around the world, and it has been almost two years since then. This also applies to education and human resource development, and school classes and corporate group training have been forced to be conducted online.

Here, we will introduce the societal situation of the advancement of online education and human resource development, changes in inquiries to our company, and case studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Expansion of Online Education in the Age of COVID-19
2. Changes in Customer Behavior during COVID-19
3. Case Study: Switching to Training using Moodle
4. Necessary Measures for Implementing Online Classes and Training in the Future
5. Introduction of e-Learning Implementation Support Services

1. Expansion of Online Education in the Era of COVID-19

Introducing the social situation where education has been shifted to online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the result of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
In the second half of the Reiwa 2nd year, 60% of students responded that their classes were mostly or entirely online. (Survey on the impact of COVID-19 on student life conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in March of Reiwa 3rd year)
The situation of being forced to take online classes due to the pandemic and the benefits and drawbacks felt by students have been revealed.

In addition, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced the "Digital University and Technical College Education Enhancement Plan" in March 2021 as part of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.
This plan aims to actively incorporate digital technology in universities and technical colleges, and to improve the quality of education and learning by creating an environment that prioritizes the needs of learners. The budget for this plan is 6 billion yen.

In this business, we have already received many applications from educational institutions and have completed the adoption of the plan. Please see the link for the plan adopted in this business.
(https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/sankangaku/1413155_00010.htm )

Even in corporate training, onlineization is advancing.
According to a survey by Persol Research Institute, the number of companies that increased online group training in 2020 accounted for 75.0% of the total. (Survey period: January 29, 2021 - February 10, 2021. Source: https://rc.persol-group.co.jp/news/202107051000.html)

The onlineization of national qualification training is also being promoted.
This is a table showing the number of national qualifications that are exempt from face-to-face training when renewing, as stated in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Administrative Evaluation Bureau Report (Order 2.12.16) "Survey on the Review of Training and Training for Renewal of National Qualifications"
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000723456.pdf (as of August 22, 2021)

Out of the 98 national qualifications that require training updates, more than 60% can be completed without in-person training.

This could lead to a higher possibility of private qualification training being promoted through online means.

For Schools and Organizations

Moodle Implementation and Operation Guide

Domestic Results
No.1

2. Changes in Our Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Here, we will explain our customer's case studies.
First, let's take a look at the usage of e-learning before the pandemic.
We will introduce an example from a university.

Case Study of National University (6000 students)

This university has been using Moodle※ within the campus since before 2015.

We would like to introduce the contents of the interviews conducted with the person in charge of the Information Infrastructure Center department, who has been in charge of e-learning in December 2016 and January 2020. In both cases, we asked about the usage of Moodle, but even after about 3 years, there was no significant change in usage rate, and the use of e-learning was difficult to progress.
*Moodle is an open source LMS that is used for delivering e-learning within the university.
*LMS (Learning Management System) is a system used to deliver videos and materials and manage attendance for online classes and training.

- During the hearing in December 2016

Information Infrastructure Center Vice Director: "We hold explanatory sessions for teachers about once a year. Moodle is now available for all faculty members to use."
Information Infrastructure Center Professor: "According to statistics, there is a barrier of 10-15% in the utilization rate of the system. Once this barrier is surpassed, the usage increases rapidly. Even at our university, at first the use of Moodle was limited, but at one point, the usage suddenly increased."

- During the January 2020 hearing

Human Science: Is usage expanding?
Information Infrastructure Center Professor: "About 20% of teachers are using it. The number of teachers using it in a two-way manner is even more limited. Many are using it for uploading teaching materials."

You can also see case studies from schools in this article.
> [Moodle Basic Course] What can Moodle, the e-learning learning management system, do?
> Comparison of 4 points for e-learning and LMS (learning management system)

Increase in Moodle inquiries

However, as you know, the situation has completely changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even at our company, since April 2020, we have seen an increase in inquiries from new customers who are considering using the open-source LMS, Moodle. This is the trend of the number of inquiries we have received from new customers regarding e-learning systems.

Inquiries to Our Company

Since the spread of COVID-19, the number of inquiries has increased.

Also, here is the breakdown of our customers' industries who have contacted us.

More than half were inquiries from companies, and less than 40% were from schools.

> Moodle is not only used in universities (widespread use)

3. Case Study: Switching to Training Using Moodle

Here, we will introduce actual case studies.

Energy Development Related, Case Studies for General Foundation

At this corporation, we have been inviting representatives from overseas companies every year to conduct education on energy development. The education was a two-week training program and had a scale of approximately 600 people from 30 countries.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become difficult for students to come to Japan.
Therefore, we have switched to live lectures using LMS (Moodle). The materials are now distributed online.

Case Studies of Dental Qualification Organizations

Here at our organization, we provide information distribution and qualification certification for a specific field of dentistry. There are approximately 4,000 registered dental professionals within our organization.
For qualification certification, we have been conducting exams for dentists who wish to become certified every year. The qualification exam includes a presentation, and during the presentation, 40-50 dentists and a few judges gather at the venue.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become difficult to gather at the venue.
Therefore, we have switched to using LMS for the exam.
(Changes during the pandemic)
Difficulty gathering at the venue → Switch to using LMS (Moodle)
The exam followed the following process.
Submission of application form
Presentation and judging via Zoom (starting from LMS (Moodle))
Oral examination via Zoom (examiners ask questions about the presentation and the examinee answers)

> Moodle Implementation and Operation Support Results

For Schools and Organizations

Moodle Implementation and Operation Guide

Domestic Results
No.1

4. Measures to be taken for online classes and online training in the future

It is said that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is still a while away. In the future, online classes and training will continue to be a challenge for educational institutions and human resource development personnel. Here, we will explain the challenges and solutions for continuing online classes and training.

Task 1: Handling Multiple Access

As usage expands and access becomes concentrated, there is a high possibility of delays and system shutdowns.
In such cases, it is necessary to strengthen the infrastructure. Measures such as improving server specifications and decentralizing are required.

Task 2: Maintenance of "Just Started" Things

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a focus on speed in response, resulting in various systems such as web conferencing, student portals, on-demand services, and testing operating separately.
When each system is managed and operated individually, there is a risk of duplicated work and errors, making it necessary to coordinate and manage each service.

Task 3: Reducing Operational Burden

By implementing SSO (Single Sign-On), users can access multiple systems with just one login, improving convenience.
Additionally, by integrating with academic systems, user, subject, and enrollment information can also be imported.

> Moodle Maintenance and Operation

Task 4: Improving the Quality of Recorded Lessons

At one university, in the spring of 2020, each teacher recorded their classes and distributed them online.
As a result of prioritizing speed, there were cases where the quality of the videos varied.
In order to standardize and improve the quality of the videos, it is necessary to create manuals and guidelines, and to receive training on recording methods.

Task 5: Educating Teachers on LMS Usage

The created teaching materials and videos need to be registered on the LMS and made available for distribution. In addition, it is necessary for instructors to learn how to use the LMS in order to manage course progress and other related tasks.
For instructors who have not yet used the LMS or are only using certain functions, training is necessary to understand how to use it.

> Moodle Implementation, Seminars, and Manuals

5. Introduction to e-Learning Implementation Support Services

At Human Science Co., Ltd., we offer various services to help our clients introduce e-learning.
If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us.

> Introduction and operation support for Moodle and Totara Learn (open source LMS)
> e-learning material production and translation (custom-made material development)
> Support for in-house material production (support for material development by clients, consulting, seminar implementation, etc.)
> Material distribution service (distribution of our original materials)
> Material sales (sale of our original materials)
> Manuscript sales (sale of our original material materials)

In addition, there is a department specializing in manual creation and translation into multiple languages, and we will respond to your requests in one stop.

For Schools and Organizations

Moodle Implementation and Operation Guide

Domestic Results
No.1

Author:

Shizuko Sase

Education Solutions Department Production Group Writer
After joining Human Science, worked as a Technical Writer,
experienced in designing and writing product manuals and operation manuals.
Subsequently, engaged in writing and directing e-learning material manuscripts.
Involved in the production of approximately 200 educational materials so far.

Contact Us:

Phone Number: 03-5321-3111
hsweb_inquiry@science.co.jp

Moodle Implementation and Operation Guide

We explain the process of introducing and operating Moodle.
For the introduction and operation of Moodle, please leave it to Human Science, the official partner. We also introduce many achievements in Moodle implementation support.

Projects: Over 866
Companies, Schools, Organizations: Over 80 cases

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