e-Learning Blog

Moodle is a free and open-source all-in-one learning platform with no licensing fees.

According to Moodle HQ's statistics, it is used in over 170,000 sites, with over 300 million users in 243 countries and regions, making it the largest learning platform in the world. (*As of 2022) It is the number one share in universities in Europe and Japan, and is widely used not only in educational settings but also in global companies, government agencies, and other organizations around the world.

One of the main features is its high level of customization. It is possible to flexibly customize each course according to its specific purpose and needs, making it suitable for classes of any size, from small to large.

In addition, it is equipped with a highly versatile editor, making it easy to insert images and videos, allowing for easy creation of teaching materials. Furthermore, it is compatible with smartphones and tablets, allowing students to comfortably attend lectures anytime, anywhere.

The main reason Moodle continues to be chosen around the world is because it is the world standard LMS^※2, meaning it has been refined and standardized by universities and other organizations around the world.
By using this world standard system and implementing organizational reforms tailored to the system, it is possible to review the structure and existence of the organization and improve its international competitiveness.

※1e-learning is a general term for educational systems that utilize IT technology centered around personal computers and the internet. This includes watching videos on video sharing sites, solving problems with learning apps, and all forms of remote learning through web conferencing tools.
※2LMS stands for Learning Management System and is translated as "learning management system" in Japanese. LMS is a system that centrally manages information such as learners, materials, progress, and grades that are necessary for e-learning. In recent years, there has been an increase in systems that not only manage but also integrate with employee performance management and can be operated as a Learning Experience Platform (LXP) that provides personalized learning experiences for each employee.

> [Moodle Basic Course] What can Moodle, the e-learning management system, do?
> [Moodle Basic Course] What is Moodle?
> [Moodle Basic Course] What can be done with Moodle's default features?

By reading this section, you will understand that Moodle has strong security measures compared to other open source and commercial LMS.
First, in order to understand Moodle's security, it is necessary to understand open source, so let's take a look.

Open source refers to software where the source code is publicly available.

The source is like a "blueprint" that instructs the operation of software, and is written in a programming language used by engineers. The alphabet sequence that comes to mind when we hear "software code" is the source, and what is widely available to the public is called "open source".

・License fees are free
It is provided for free under the conditions of GPL※ as open source software. There is no need for a license fee to use it.
Although it is open source software, it has all the necessary functions as an LMS.
※GPL (GNU General Public License) is a license that sets the conditions for using software, also known as a general public license in Japanese. There are mainly two contents. ① It is possible to freely use, redistribute, modify, and distribute derivative software. ② For derivative software (modified software or integrated software), the source code must be made public and it is specified that it can be used, redistributed, modified, etc. based on the GNU GPL license.

・Flexible customization
In addition to using Moodle's basic functions, you can customize it to fit your organization's needs. With flexible customization tailored to the specific goals and needs of each course, it can accommodate classes of any size, from small to large.
It is possible to add necessary functions through plugin development. Anyone can freely obtain, use, modify, and redistribute them.
> Moodle plugin customization

・Even if the developer ends the service, the software will survive
If it is not open source, when the developer goes bankrupt or ends the service, the software will no longer be updated and will eventually become unusable.
However, if it is open source, the source code is publicly available, so we can continue to use it while maintaining it ourselves. If there are many users of open source, we can also expect other users to publish various updates and fixes.
Moodle has three current versions, and each one is updated six times a year, continuously improving security measures.
On the other hand, there are cases where commercial LMSs that have not been updated for many years are still being used.

・When introducing Moodle, it may not be possible to ensure the operating environment when using a rental server.
If you operate on-premises, you will need technical knowledge of servers such as hardware specifications and middleware installation.
As a countermeasure, Moodle's official partner also provides cloud services.
You can use a fully built environment with complete security measures for Moodle, so there is no need for customers to prepare, build, install, or set up servers, networks, etc.
> Moodle Cloud Service (e-CoreLea)

・Maintenance and operation, including security measures, must be taken by the user.
While there is a Moodle operation manual, customization and plugin development functions are not covered and will be fixed with each version upgrade. Therefore, it is necessary to consider measures such as setting up a support center to handle manual management and inquiries from students.
> Moodle Maintenance and Operation

Using different passwords for different systems, using different machines for different services, etc. By doing this, even if one account is compromised or one server is breached, it prevents damage from spreading to a wide range.

> Moodle Cloud Service (e-CoreLea)