Archive for the ‘Moodle’ Category

« Older Entries

What’s new in Moodle 2.0? Conditional Activites and Completion Tracking

Posted by Joel Kerr on 28 Jul
comments

By now most of you will know the alpha release of Moodle 2.0 is likely to be closer to September 2010. This is because the Moodle team is putting the emphasis on getting the release right rather than rushing it out.

In the meantime to continue on with the ‘What’s new in Moodle 2.0’ theme here is a quick introduction to two of the most talked about new features, designed to help students manage their learning:

  1. Conditional Activities
  2. Completion Tracking

Conditional Activities, developed by Sam Marshall of the Open University, will appear as a standard feature in Moodle 2.0 onwards, enabling teachers to restrict the availability of any activity according to certain conditions such as date, grade obtained, or activity completion.

There are arguments for and against this form of control over a students progress throughout a course as opposed to allowing them to find their own paths, but that is another blog post altogether.

Completion Tracking allows teachers to specify conditions that define when an activity is considered to be complete e.g. when a certain number of posts have been made, or a grade has been reached or a choice has been made

The Completion systems itself will consist of 2 parts:

  1. Activity Completion
  2. Course Completion

Activity completion enables teachers to specify conditions that define when a student has completed an activity, for example when a certain number of posts have been made or a grade has been reached

Course Completion enables teachers to specify conditions that define when a student has completed a course.

For more information on all of Moodle 2.0’s features you should read the Moodle 2.0 Release Notes on Moodle.org.

For more information on implementing Moodle 2.0, or on any of the Synergy Learning services email info@synergy-learning.com.


Add a comment
 

Caroline Kennedy | Moodle Multimedia Designer

Posted by Joel Kerr on 26 Jul
comments

Congratulations to Caroline Kennedy, Synergy Learning’s Multimedia Designer, for her recent success in the Moodle 2.0 Themes Competition.

Caroline says, “I just want to say a massive thank you! I am really delighted. It has been a huge learning curve for me over a short period of time and a great opportunity to get to grips with Moodle 2.0.  Well done to everyone who entered! I’m really excited to see the theme in the Moodle 2 core, along with the others.”

I will add more information on Caroline’s role and expertise to the blog shortly, at the minute she is up to her eyes designing themes for our clients…

To view Caroline’s winning ‘Splash’ theme click here


Add a comment
 

Buying in Moodle – Questions Answered

Posted by Joel Kerr on 16 Jul
comments

A few weeks ago a Primary School Governor posted an article listing a series of questions you really need to be asking your host Moodle provider if you are considering buying in Moodle (click here to view the original article).

As the leading Moodle Partner in the UK and Ireland, we are confident we tick all the boxes, so here are our answers.

Are they a registered Moodle partner?
Synergy Learning is a registered Moodle Partner and plays a vital role in the Moodle Community. Moodle is provided freely as Open Source Software, which is made possible by the financial support from the Moodle Partners, through clients who pay for specific development. Clients who chose to work with a Moodle Partner in turn play a vital role in the ongoing development of Moodle.

What training does your host provide, if any?
Synergy Learning is one of the leading Moodle Training providers with professional Moodle Instructors across the UK and Ireland. We offer a series of hands-on training courses to cater for a wide range of customer needs.

We offer training on demand for course creators and administrators as well as bespoke training for specific requirements, onsite or offsite depending on our clients requirements.

Synergy Learning also offer Moodle Theme design to make sure your Moodle suits the look and feel of your organisation, and Moodle Development for increased Moodle functionality.

What other packages, extension and add-ons are possible to extend the features and functionalities of Moodle?
At Synergy Learning we are willing and able to install any additional Moodle modules, filters, blocks and extensions available. The packages are negotiable and can be tailored to suit the client’s individual needs.

As well as that Synergy Learning is the leading approved Mahara (ePortfolio) Partner in the UK and Ireland and the only Moodle Partner in the UK approved to offer ZiLink services for Online Reporting and Parental Engagement.

For more information on Mahara click here.

For more information in ZiLink click here.

Do they provide the Moodle Admin AND the Server Admin?
Synergy Learning has generated a lot of eLearning technological and pedagogical expertise since our inception in 1997. As a result we understand what is required for the smooth running of an eLearning environment and ease of use for the people involved.

We offer both Moodle Admin and Server Admin in tailored packages to suit our client’s requirements. Synergy Learning can provide and maintain the server, supporting other server side packages as well as providing full technical support for the Moodle software or we can simply provide and maintain the server which Moodle runs on. It all depends on what best suits our clients.

We are also the leading Moodle Partner for Hosting, Training, Support and Development in the UK and Ireland

Updates – how often are they going to update the software and ensure compatibility?
Moodle is changing all the time and it is important that Moodle sites are updated in line with core changes for the sake of security issues and improvements.

At Synergy Learning Moodle updates are included as part of every Hosting package. As a Moodle Partner we make it our business to be first in the know with progress in all elearning technology and as a result can advise our clients on important advances and updates.

Moodle 2.0 is on its way and we are well prepared for upgrading our clients Moodle sites and networks, as we are with every Moodle update no matter how big or how small.

Access – what are you allowed to do?
Our clients have secure access to their data files in case they need to upload large learning resources.

Backups
At Synergy Learning we back up our clients Moodle sites daily, early in the morning at approximately 2am. We back up Moodle files, Moodledata and databases.

As well as that our clients have the option of backing up their individual courses. Secure shell access is provided – if the client wishes to back up their sites themselves that is an option.

We also back up any additional modules our clients Moodle sites may have, themes, customisations and code.

Databases
At Synergy Learning we dump and store databases nightly, and this can be done manually / remotely.

Maximum file upload size and storage capacity
We recommend a maximum file upload size of 32MB, anything else can be uploaded via sFTP. The maximum file size limit can be increased if requested.

Synergy Learning offers a number of options for storage capacities ranging from 1GB upward. The limit on email volume and storage space for users and courses varies depending on user numbers and the server space in the clients chosen package.

Our clients get unlimited user accounts in Moodle, server accounts again will depend on the package our client has chosen. Packages can be upgraded if required.

Downtime – when and how much?
Routine maintenance takes place late at night or early in the morning so as to cause minimum disruption. The duration of the downtime will depend on the severity of the issue and can be anything from 15 minutes to 1 hour.

Security – who has access to what?
Security is provided via firewalls, antivirus and daily monitoring by our team of Moodle experts.

For each of our clients one named person will be given access to the Moodle code, the data Moodle places in the MySQL database and the data placed in the Moodledata file structure.

Ports can be made available for access to certain web services and applications (e.g. Skype) providing they are compatible and are not deemed a security risk.

What operating system will the server run on? What database will it use?
Our server runs on Linux and uses MySQL database software

If you require anymore information on any of our services email me at joel.kerr@synergy-learning.com


Add a comment
 

Moodle 2.0 Theme Contest: Splash Theme

Posted by Joel Kerr on 16 Jul
comments

Voting for the Moodle 2.0 Theme Contest continues until Friday 16 July 2010 at 11:59pm EST. This has been another great (and fun!) opportunity for members of the Moodle community to play an active role in the release of Moodle 2.0.

Caroline Kennedy submitted the ‘Splash’ theme, which has been well-received so far, with positive feedback and constructive criticism a plenty.

Caroline told me, “This has been a brilliant chance for me to work with themes in Moodle 2.0 and a welcome opportunity to spend some time exploring the possibilities. I am glad of all the opinions shared via the contest, that’s what the Moodle community is all about. I would be very happy to see Splash become a standard Moodle Theme in Moodle 2.0”

Click on the image above to view the custom settings of ‘Splash’

For a demo version of the site click here.

To vote in the Moodle 2.0 Theme Contest click here.


Add a comment
 

What’s new in Moodle 2.0? HTML Editor

Posted by Joel Kerr on 06 Jul
comments

Moodle 2.0 will use TinyMCE as the new HTML editor, which will work in more browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Chrome.

You can also use the new HTML editor to embed media from other sites such as youtube or Flickr.

Moodle.org lists the benefits of the new HTML editor as follows:

  1. It is a new editor based on TinyMCE
  2. It works on more browsers
  3. There is a resizable editing area
  4. There’s cleaner XHTML output
  5. Full integration with configured external repositories to import and embed media into a text

If you require any more information on upgrading to Moodle 2.0 email me at joel.kerr@synergy-learning.com or contact Synergy Learning on Facebook.


Add a comment
 

What’s new in Moodle 2.0? Customised User Profile Pages

Posted by Joel Kerr on 05 Jul
comments

In Moodle 2.0 site wide user profile pages can be customised by users with blocks, news-feeds and so on.  The aim here is to make the “My Moodle” interface a more usable space that provides each user with their own personal experience.

According to Moodle.org, My Moodle initially could come with specific pages:

  1. home page / dashboard – A completely user configurable page where the informational blocks can be added and moved. Users could have items such as news-feeds, calendars, etc.
  2. profile – The same function that currently exists on the user profile page. It will provide options for the user to assign what information can be visible by what roles.
  3. blog – Access to the user’s blog (like the current tab on the user profile page).
  4. course list – A better version of the current My Moodle page.
  5. report – Access to various reports and logs on your activities.

Each page would be available to be enabled or disabled to the My Moodle interface.

The release of Moodle 2.0 is drawing ever nearer.  If you are interested in upgrading your current version of Moodle email me at joel.kerr@synergy-learning.com.


Add a comment
 

ZiLink: Parental Engagement in Moodle – Presentation

Posted by Joel Kerr on 02 Jul
comments

ZiLink was launched at this years MoodleMootUK, I have added the video presentation from the launch below for anyone who missed it.

For those of you who don’t know ZiLink is a Moodle ’super-block’ for online reporting containing a number of blocks within Moodle that can be configured to meet individual school needs by Moodle administrators.

ZiLink includes four blocks working together using the data from the management information system.

  1. Online Reporting with parental access to attainment, targets, progress, attendance, behaviour, SEN status plus additional features such as immediate access to their child’s current work, work attempted and overdue work.
  2. Individual Learning Plans
  3. Timetable
  4. Timetable Week

Plus, new developments that will be on-stream in September 2010 include Parent Appointment and a Room Booking system.

You can find out more information on ZiLink by reading our previous blog posts:

  1. Synergy Learning and ZiLink: Parental Engagement in Moodle
  2. Moodle and ZiLink: Keeping Parents Informed

Or if you  are interested in demonstrating ZiLink visit:

  1. http://demo.schoolsict.net/moodle

Synergy Learning is the only Moodle Partner in the UK appointed to sell ZiLink.  For any more information or if you are interested in implementing ZiLink email info@synergy-learning.com


Add a comment
 

Moodle 2.0 Testing – Community Hub

Posted by Joel Kerr on 01 Jul
comments

So Moodle 2.0 Preview 4 is out and now it is over to you to get testing!

There are four main focuses for development and testing this week – the Community Hub, Usability, Themes and Performance and Upgrade.

Full docs are still being written for the Community Hub, but according to Moodle.org you can help out by trying the new features:

  1. Try MOOCH at http://hub.moodle.org/
  2. Use the Admin registration page to register your own site with MOOCH.
  3. Add the “Community” block to your site, and use it to search MOOCH for courses, either to enrol in or to download. Note that you can’t yet restore downloaded courses in Moodle 2.0.
  4. If you are interested in playing with the hub software, get the plugin from [1] and unzip it into the “local” directory of an up-to-date Moodle 2.0 site, then visit admin page to install it.

You can also discuss what you see in the Hub servers forum on moodle.org.  For information on testing other features click here.

If you are interested in upgrading to Moodle 2.0 with Synergy Learning email me at joel.kerr@synergy-learning.com.


Add a comment
 

Moodle 2.0 Preview 4 – Notable improvements since Preview 3

Posted by Joel Kerr on 30 Jun
comments

It’s been a month coming, but Moodle 2.0 Preview 4 (of 5) is finally here.  So what has changed since our last preview?  According to Moodle.org:

  1. The Moodle.org Open Community Hub is now branded as MOOCH (love it!) visit MOOCH.
  2. There are improved interfaces for community hub interactions click here for info
  3. New Themes!
  4. The Folder module now has a separate editing page and forces download (you can safely let students edit a shared folder via capabilities) click here for info
  5. There is an all-new enrolments plugin system click here for info
  6. There is also a new interface for messaging click here for info
  7. A new interface for assignment grading click here for info
  8. Many layout issues fixed
  9. Over 100 other bugs fixed

Have fun testing it!  If you are interested in upgrading to Moodle 2.0 email me at joel.kerr@synergy-learning.com


Add a comment
 

Moodle Support from Synergy Learning

Posted by Joel Kerr on 22 Jun
comments

Moodle Support is one of the most in demand services at Synergy Learning.  Andrea Gordon talks us through the role she plays in keeping our clients Moodle sites running smoothly 24/7, 365 days a year.

“With Moodle developers rapidly churning out code for newer versions and 3rd party additions, there will always be the need to keep systems properly maintained and up to date with the appropriate security measures in place.

As a Systems Administrator with Synergy Learning I provide both technical and pedagogical support to ensure the smooth running of Moodle platforms. I also manage the helpdesk, allocating support queries to the appropriate members of our team.

At Synergy Learning our servers are monitored 24/7 and optimised for Moodle. Our expert team of support staff and engineers are always available should any urgent issues arise. The support I deliver on a daily basis can be directly over the phone, via email or onsite if required. Support queries can range from anything basic, i.e. adding a new user to Moodle, to very technical, i.e. configuring firewalls and DNS editing. I aim to provide my first-rate problem solving skills to all queries submitted.

In my daily role I particularly focus on developing excellent relations with our customers to give them that little bit extra with a personal approach many other large scale companies cannot provide.

Along with Moodle Support, I install, manage and maintain all client sites hosted on our servers. This entails installing sites & upgrading to latest versions, migrations over servers, integrations with external systems (Active Directory, MIS etc.) running backups, updating software, system, performance & user testing and involves in-depth knowledge and experience in both Moodle and Linux as a hosting environment. These skills I have gained working closely with an experienced team dedicated to Moodle and directly with clients in time critical conditions. I value this experience as second to none – I can guarantee, if there is a Moodle issue, we will resolve it without a doubt.

Mahara is quickly becoming very popular within Schools and organisations as a nice user-friendly complement to Moodle. New versions for Mahara are released thick and fast so I am always on top of testing before rolling these out to clients. As we are now an official Mahara Partner at Synergy Learning, I provide the same line of support, maintenance & upgrades as our Moodle clients receive.”


Add a comment
 
« Older Entries