e-Learning Blog

Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is an open-source Learning Management System (LMS). Educational institutions and businesses 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 conduct assessments and feedback.

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

Moodle adopts a modular 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. You can also create and add your own. Security is given careful attention, providing data protection and privacy features.

Furthermore, Moodle is working to accommodate different user groups by enhancing multilingual support and accessibility. The Moodle community is extensive and active, with educators and developers from around the world sharing information and providing support. Overall, Moodle is an open-source learning management system equipped with flexibility, customizability, and security. It has become a powerful tool to support modern education.

For more details, please refer to the 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 share the source code (the underlying code of the program) without special permissions. The people who create this software aim to foster collaboration by allowing everyone to see and improve the source code, generating and evolving new ideas together. Since the inner workings of the software are visible, it becomes easier to understand how it operates, and problems or areas for improvement can be identified more quickly.

SaaS-based LMS
"SaaS" stands for "Software as a Service," which means "software as a service." It is a service that allows you to use software hosted in the cloud via the internet. SaaS-based LMS allows you to utilize an LMS built by the vendor in the cloud, making it easy, quick, and simple to get started with minimal effort. On the other hand, the functionality of the LMS may be limited. The degree of customization is low, so you cannot use features beyond what the vendor provides. Additionally, all user information and educational material data registered by users are stored on the vendor-managed cloud server. Avoiding security risks such as unauthorized access and information leakage is the responsibility of the vendor.
Here, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of open-source LMS and SaaS-based LMS by comparing them.

●Benefits

Cost-effective as there are no licensing fees
Open-source LMS generally does not incur any licensing fees and can be used for free. On the other hand, SaaS LMS requires a licensing fee. If the licensing fee is 100 yen per person per month, the cost for 1,000 people over one year would amount to 1.2 million yen. In the case of Moodle, the latest Moodle application can be downloaded for free from https://moodle.org/ under "Downloads." Documentation is available for installation instructions. Just because it is free does not mean it is of lower quality compared to non-open-source platforms. It is equipped with all the necessary features. There are no restrictions on the number of users, so it can be used by 100 people or 100,000 people.

Leverage a large and active community
There is a large and active community of developers and contributors. They are continuously working on improving and enhancing the software. In the "Beginner's Question Forum," you can ask questions about things you don't understand while using it, and you will receive answers. Additionally, in the "Site Security Forum," information is exchanged on how to operate Moodle sites securely. Anyone can collaborate for the development of Moodle. Typically, SaaS-based LMSs do not have such large communities.

Security
Regarding security, developers continuously monitor the source code, detect bugs, and quickly fix them through established processes to reduce vulnerabilities. If any security concerns arise, security alerts are posted online, and registered users receive email alerts. Information is shared promptly. The response is on par with SaaS-based LMS.

Customizable to Fit Unique Educational Systems
When using a SaaS-based LMS, it can be difficult to meet requests such as wanting certain features or adjustments to fit our educational system. However, with an open-source LMS, the source code is publicly available, allowing you to develop and integrate the desired features yourself. Additionally, over 1,900 plugins, known as extension modules, are provided for free from Moodle.org. By utilizing these, you can create an e-learning environment tailored to your unique educational system.

Can be built in a unique environment
Since we handle highly confidential e-learning materials, there are cases where we want to create our own LMS environment and manage all the data ourselves. When we want to use materials that are confidential for employee training, an open-source LMS is ideal. It is also possible to build an LMS in an on-premises environment within the company and not connect it to the internet. In the case of a SaaS LMS, it is not possible to provide such an environment.

●Disadvantages

Technical Knowledge of Servers Required
Open-source LMS can be built on either on-premises or cloud. However, you need to prepare your own server. You will need to install the server OS, as well as the web server and DB server, and then install Moodle that you downloaded and perform the necessary configurations. The steps are carefully explained in the Moodle Documentation, but technical knowledge of servers is required. In the case of SaaS LMS, the vendor provides it in a usable state, so you can use it immediately without such technical knowledge.

Support System Required
In the case of open-source LMS, support from the developer is usually not available. New versions are released regularly, but upgrades must be performed by the users themselves. Additionally, during upgrades, updates to the corresponding server OS and middleware may also be required. It is also necessary to regularly check for and address vulnerabilities. A support system is needed to handle these aspects for the operation of an open-source LMS. In the case of SaaS LMS, all these tasks are handled by the vendor, allowing users to utilize the service without concern.

There is no comprehensive manual
In the case of SaaS-type LMS, a "manual" that includes usage instructions is generally provided. However, for open-source LMS, it is often better to think that there is no comprehensive "manual" available. That said, the necessary information for operation is available on the website, so you can refer to it, and there may be answers to specific operational questions in the community, so it is worth searching for them.

While there are some disadvantages to Moodle, which is an open-source LMS, this will introduce ways to address those disadvantages specifically for Moodle.

Utilize private company services for implementation, maintenance operations, and support

The implementation and maintenance of open-source LMS require technical and human resources. You can utilize services from private companies that support these aspects. Human Science Co., Ltd. offers the following services related to Moodle.

We support the following patterns for implementation.
・Building Moodle in an on-premises environment prepared by the customer.
・Building Moodle in a cloud environment contracted by the customer.
・Building Moodle in a cloud environment provided by Human Science.
In addition, we also develop and apply customizations and plugins.
We will build the specified version of Moodle, configure it according to your needs, and provide you with an administrator account, so you can start using it immediately.

We also provide 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 reapply customizations. We also welcome inquiries regarding plugin support.

For more details, please refer to the blog below.
＞ [Moodle Basic Course] Security Measures for Moodle
＞ What Types of Moodle Plugins Are There?

Open-source LMS has great appeal. There are many advantages such as no licensing fees, a large community, and the ability to utilize customizations and plugins. While there are some disadvantages, it is possible to offset them by using services from vendors like Human Science.

Human Science has been providing Moodle services since 2008 and became an official Moodle partner in 2017. We have accumulated know-how and a wealth of implementation experience (projects: over 700, companies, schools, and organizations: over 80 cases). We offer total solutions from the introduction of Moodle (including content creation) to operational support. We also provide Moodle support services via phone and email, ensuring peace of mind for maintenance and operation. Please consult Human Science when using the open-source LMS Moodle.

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