Moodle is an open-source course management software. University-wide installation of Moodle became available during Summer 2006 as a pilot project (Moodle had been initially adopted by some instructors on the Crookston campus), and official rollout happened in Fall 2006.
During summer 2006 pilot phase, Moodle had been tested by a group of volunteers. Necessary technical adjustments had been maid and training sessions had been developed.
Currently, University runs version 1.8.5+, and provides centralized hosting, support and training to those who would like to use this software.
Preliminary roadmap for the next fiscal year - FY09
- Continue testing 1.9 and upgrade during winter break, if feasible
- Review 2.0 once it is released
- Work on GUI adjustments in 1.9 (gradebook specifically) to improve usability
- Continue working on adding new features to automate support procedures:
- add live student count to the autoenrollment tool
- further customize site request form to allow quicker setup of Moodle sites
- add an option to "force" Moodle account initiation
- Continue to work on interface improvements
- Allow users to customize their myMoodle page
- Test and install new modules:
- Quickmail, therefore users will be able to email each other more easily
- new templates for site layout, etc
Spring 08
- Went through the series of upgrades:
- 1.8.2 in August 07
- 1.8.3 in January 08
- 1.8.5 in May 08
- Made several configuration changes to improve system performance:
- changed and optimized database tables
- installed new SSL certificates
- revised archival process and set up several archival instances for easy access to the old sites
- Made multiple interface improvements to improve usability:
- added disclaimers and custom text
- modified default profile and site settings
- implemented several new roles to be used in the system
- created several custom themes/skins to allow user to modify the look of their sites
- Added new system capabilities:
- set up autofetching interface for instructor access, therefore instructors could auto-populate their own students into the academic Moodle sites
- installed Respondus add-on for offline quiz creation and uploading of questions banks
- integrated Wimba Voice Tools
- integrated new statistic question type as requested by CLA
- Fixed software bugs:
- not responsive group interface
- excluding from grading interface
- missing help files
- issues with assignment submissions interface, etc
- Added more people to the support group
- Updated online user guides and created new training courses:
- two new face-to-face courses: Gradebook and Collaboration Tools
- Online Student Orientation
Fall 2007
- Autofetching interface available to instructors
- Timed forum posts are now available
- New UTTC training course: Moodle Gradebook
- Hands-on "Moodle lab" available for instructors
- Moodle upgraded to 1.8.3. New features and fixed bugs can be reviewed here
- Respondus add-on available
Spring-Summer 2007 (statistics)
January
- Upgrade to 1.6.3
- Build-in site request form available
- Testing version 1.7
February
- Read-only access available
March
May
- Decision not to go with 1.7
- Testing 1.8
- Updating user documentation and training for 1.8
- Added search by User ID
- Presentation at Classrooms of the Future conference
- Fixing bugs, making custom changes for 1.8
June
- Quiz fix - users would not be able to navigate from the page until it is fully loaded
- New 1.8 Certificate module installed
- Updating themes for 1.8
- Spanish added to production for 1.6
July
- Performance testing of 1.8
- Making custom changes to the GUI for 1.8
August
- Moodle 1.8 installed on production server
- Online Student Orientation is available
2006 (statistics)
April
- Installation of Moodle 1.5 on testing server
- 3rd party plug-ins and themes are tested
May
- Autofetching of students from PeopleSoft is available
- Listserve mailing lists created
June
- Start of the pilot/invitation letter
- Single sign-on - Moodle supports central authentication with UofM Internet ID
- Integration with myU portal (list of the courses now appear in the My Toolkit area)
July
- Moodle allows UofM Guest login
- Testing Moodle 1.6
- Custom U of M Moodle themes are developed
- Load testing
August
- Moodle had been upgraded from 1.5 to 1.6
- Automatic Moodle account initiation
- Support website available at http://umn.edu/moodle
- Local support forums for Faculty and Students are available
- Reference sites from UTTC and DMC are available
September
- Official rollout of Moodle
- Initial user survey
- UTTC trainings are available: Moodle Orientation and Basics
October
November
- Build-in spellchecker available
December
- “Wrap-up” reminder
- User survey at the end of Fall 06
|
