e-Learning Blog

Moodle is a free, open-source all-in-one learning platform.

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

A major feature is its high level of customization. Flexible customization tailored to the individual goals and needs of each course is possible, allowing it to accommodate any class size, from small courses to large ones.

In addition, it comes with a highly versatile editor that allows for easy incorporation of images and videos, making it simple to create teaching materials. Furthermore, it is compatible with smartphones and tablets, enabling participants to comfortably attend lectures anytime and anywhere.

The biggest reason Moodle continues to be chosen worldwide is that it is a world-standard LMS^※2, which means it is a system refined and standardized by universities and other organizations around the globe.
By using a world-standard system and implementing organizational reforms tailored to the system, it becomes possible to reassess the structure and nature of the organization, thereby enhancing international competitiveness.

*1 E-learning refers broadly to educational systems that utilize IT technologies centered around computers and the internet. This includes everything from viewing videos on sharing sites and solving problems on learning apps to remote classes conducted through web conferencing tools.
*2 LMS stands for Learning Management System, which is translated into Japanese as Learning Management System. An LMS is a system that centrally manages information such as participants, materials, progress, and grades necessary for e-learning. In recent years, there has been an increase in systems that not only manage but also integrate employee performance management and provide tailored learning experiences as Learning Experience Platforms (LXP).

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

By reading this section, you will understand that Moodle has robust security measures compared to other open-source and commercial LMS.
First, to understand Moodle's security, we need to understand open source, so let's take a look.

Open source refers to software whose source code is publicly available.

Source refers to something like a "blueprint" that instructs the operation of software, written in programming languages used by engineers. The string of letters that we think of when we hear "software code" is the source, and when it is widely made available to the public, it is called "open source."

・License fees are free
It is provided free of charge under the terms of the GPL as open-source software. No license fees are required for use.
Although it is open-source software, it has all the necessary features as an LMS.
*GPL (GNU General Public License) is a license that stipulates the conditions for the use of software, known in Japanese as a general public use license. It mainly consists of two points: 1) You can freely use, redistribute, modify, and create/distribute derivative software. 2) For derivative software (modified software or software used in combination), the GNU GPL license also stipulates the publication, use, redistribution, and modification of the source code.

・Flexible Customization Available
In addition to using Moodle's basic features, it can be customized to meet the needs of your organization. Flexible customization tailored to the individual objectives and needs of courses is possible, allowing for adaptation to any class size, from small courses to large ones.
It is possible to add necessary features through plugin development. Anyone can freely obtain, use, modify, and redistribute it.
> Moodle Plugin Customization

・Software survives even if the developer discontinues the service
If it is not open source, when the developer goes bankrupt or discontinues the service, the software will no longer be updated and will eventually become unusable.
However, if it is open source, since the source is publicly available, it can continue to be used while being maintained by ourselves. If there are many users of the open source, it is also expected that other users will publish various updates and fixes.
Moodle currently has three versions, all of which receive updates six times a year, and security measures continue to improve.
On the other hand, there are cases where commercial LMS that stopped updating years ago are still being used as is.

・When implementing Moodle, using a rental server may not ensure the operating environment.
If operating on-premises, technical knowledge of server hardware specifications and middleware installation is required.
As a countermeasure, Moodle's official partners also provide cloud services.
You can use a pre-built environment with robust Moodle security measures, so there is no need for customers to prepare or build servers, networks, or perform installation and initial setup.
> Moodle Cloud Service (e-CoreLea)

・Users must take measures for maintenance and operation, including security measures.
There is an operation manual for Moodle, but it does not cover customization and plugin development features, and it will be updated with each version upgrade. Therefore, measures such as establishing a support center for manual management and responding to inquiries from students must also be considered.
> Moodle Maintenance and Operation

Using different passwords for different systems, using different machines for different services, etc. This prevents damage from spreading widely even if one account is misused or one server is breached.

> Moodle Cloud Service (e-CoreLea)