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Module 1: Introduction to Moodle

Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Duration: 30 minutes
Delivery style: Presentation with short demo

What You Will Be Able to Do

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

  • Explain what Moodle is and why organizations use it.
  • Describe the concept of a Learning Management System.
  • Identify common Moodle use cases in universities.
  • Recognize the main parts of Moodle at a high level.
  • Understand how users interact with Moodle from different roles.

Topic Files

Hands-On Notes for You

  • Keep this module conceptual and visual.
  • Use a simple architecture diagram on a slide or whiteboard.
  • Avoid discussing PHP internals or database schema details.
  • List the systems your organization currently integrates with.
  • Emphasize that Moodle administrators need both application awareness and basic infrastructure awareness.

Real-World Examples

  • A student logs in and downloads lecture notes. Moodle checks the student’s account, course enrolment, permissions, and file access before serving the file.
  • A teacher uploads a PDF. Moodle stores file information in the database and stores the actual file in the Moodle file storage system under moodledata.
  • A scheduled course announcement is posted. Cron may be responsible for sending notification emails later.

Demo Ideas

  • Show the Moodle front page.
  • Log in as an administrator and show the dashboard.
  • Open a sample course and show course sections, activities, participants, and grades.
  • Briefly show the Site administration menu without changing settings.

Key Takeaway Summary

  • Moodle is an LMS used to manage online learning.
  • Moodle supports many user roles, including students, teachers, administrators, and support staff.
  • Moodle depends on application files, a database, moodledata, cron, and server infrastructure.
  • Technical staff should understand Moodle as both a learning platform and a web application.