MoodleDocs - User contributions [en]

Installing Moodle

2014-02-28T00:33:17Z

Alexanders: /* Hardware */ Tidy up

{{Template:Installing Moodle}}
''This page explains how to install Moodle. If you are an expert and/or in a hurry try [[Installation Quickstart]].''

If you just want to try Moodle on a standalone machine there are 'one-click' installers for Windows (see [[Complete install packages for Windows]]) and for OSX (see [[Complete Install Packages for Mac OS X]]). These are unsuitable for production servers.

== Requirements ==

Moodle is primarily developed in Linux using [[Apache]], [[PostgreSQL]]/[[MySQL]]/[[MariaDB]] and [[PHP]] (also sometimes known as the LAMP platform). If in doubt, this is the safest combination (if for no other reason than being the most common). There are other options - see the Software section that follows:

The basic requirements for Moodle are as follows:

=== Hardware ===
* Disk space: 160MB free (min) plus as much as you need to store your materials. 5GB is probably a realistic minimum.
* Backups: at least the same again (at a remote location preferably) as above to keep backups of your site.
* Memory: 256MB (min), 1GB or more is strongly recommended. The general rule of thumb is that Moodle can support 10 to 20 ''concurrent'' users for every 1GB of RAM, but this will vary depending on your specific hardware and software combination and the type of use. 'Concurrent' really means web server processes in memory at the same time (i.e. users interacting with the system within a window of a few seconds). It does NOT mean people 'logged in'.

=== Software ===
* An operating system (!). Anything that runs the following software; although the choice will most likely depend on the performance you need and the skills you have available. Linux and Windows are the most common choices (and good support is available). If you have a free choice, Linux is generally regarded to be the optimal platform. Moodle is regularly tested with Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS, RedHat, Windows 7/2012 and Mac OS X.
* Web server, primarily [[Apache]]. Not fully tested (or supported) but should work are [[IIS]], [http://www.lighttpd.net/ lightttpd], [http://nginx.org/ nginx], [http://www.cherokee-project.com/ cherokee], zeus and [http://litespeedtech.com/ LiteSpeed]. Moodle will refuse to install on any other web server. Your web server needs to be correctly configured to serve PHP files.The version is not critical but try to use the newest web server build available to you.
* [[PHP]] - The minimum version is currently 5.3.3. A number of extensions are required; see the [[PHP]] page for full details. Installation will halt at the environment check if any of the required extensions are missing. If available, PHP 5.5 and newer contain [[OPcache]] which is recommended (you can ignore the environment check for this if not available).
* A database. MySQL and PostgreSQL are the primary development database, the most comprehensively tested and have extensive documentation and support. MSSQL is fully supported (note that optional plugins may be untested with these databases) but documentation and online help are not as comprehensive as MySQL/PostgreSQL. Oracle database is not fully supported and is not recommended. If in doubt use MySQL (more documentation) or PostgreSQL (better stability/performance). You will need the appropriate PHP extension (configured if need be) for your chosen database.
** [[MySQL]] - minimum version 5.1.33
** [[MariaDB]] - minimum version 5.3.5 (drop-in replacement for Oracle's MySQL)
** [[PostgreSQL]] - minimum version 8.3
** [[MSSQL]] - minimum version 9.0
** [[Oracle]] - minimum version 10.2 (not recommended)
* Minimum browser for accessing Moodle: recent Firefox, Internet Explorer 9, Safari 6, recent Google Chrome 11 (lower versions may work but are not fully supported)

== Set up your server ==

...or desktop computer, if you are just evaluating Moodle. There are lots of possibilities for installing the basic server software depending on your particular choices. Some links and pointers are at [[Installing AMP]]

If you are using a hosted server all this should be done for you. However, (especially on shared hosting) make sure you understand or find out how to change PHP settings (e.g. file upload maximums). This can vary a huge amount from host to host.

== Download and copy files into place ==

'''IMPORTANT: While there are now a number of places you can get the Moodle code, you are strongly advised to obtain Moodle from moodle.org. If you run into problems it will be a great deal easier to support you.'''

You have two options:
* Download your required version from http://moodle.org/downloads and unzip/unpack...
* '''OR''' Pull the code from the Git repository (recommended for developers and also makes upgrading very simple):
<pre>
$ git clone -b MOODLE_26_STABLE git://git.moodle.org/moodle.git
</pre>
...this fetches a complete copy of the Moodle repository and then switches to the 2.6 Stable branch (latest weekly build). For a fuller discussion see [[Git for Administrators]].

Either of the above should result in a directory called '''moodle''', containing a number of files and folders.

You can either place the whole folder in your web server documents directory, in which case the site will be located at '''<nowiki>http://yourwebserver.com/moodle</nowiki>''', or you can copy all the contents straight into the main web server documents directory, in which case the site will be simply '''<nowiki>http://yourwebserver.com</nowiki>'''. See the documentation for your system and/or web server if you are unsure.

:''Tip:'' If you are downloading Moodle to your local computer and then uploading it to your hosted web site, if possible upload the compressed file and decompress at the remote end (check your 'file manager'). Failing that, watch FTP progress carefully for errors or missed files.

* '''Secure the Moodle files:''' It is vital that the files are not writeable by the web server user. For example, on Unix/Linux (as root):
<pre>
# chown -R root /path/to/moodle
# chmod -R 0755 /path/to/moodle
</pre>
(files are owned by the administrator/superuser and are only writeable by them - readable by everyone else)

If you want to use the built-in add-on installer you need to make the directory writable by web server user. It is strongly recommended to use ACL when your server supports it, for example if your Apache server uses account www-data:
<pre>
# chmod -R +a "www-data allow read,delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" /path/to/moodle
</pre>

== Create an empty database ==

Next create a new, empty database for your installation. You need to find and make a note of following information for use during the final installation stage:
* '''dbhost''' - the database server hostname. Probably ''localhost'' if the database and web server are the same machine, otherwise the name of the database server
* '''dbname''' - the database name. Whatever you called it, e.g. ''moodle''
* '''dbuser''' - the username for the database. Whatever you assigned, e.g. ''moodleuser'' - do not use the root/superuser account. Create a proper account with the minimum permissions needed.
* '''dbpass''' - the password for the above user

If your site is hosted you should find a web-based administration page for databases as part of the control panel (or ask your administrator). For everyone else or for detailed instructions, see the page for your chosen database server:
* [[PostgreSQL]]
* [[MariaDB]]
* [[MySQL]]
* [[MSSQL]]
* [[Oracle]] (known issues, not fully supported)

== Create the (''moodledata'') data directory ==

Moodle requires a directory to store all of its files (all your site's uploaded files, temporary data, cache, session data etc.). The web server needs to be able to write to this directory. On larger systems consider how much free space you are going to use when allocating this directory.

Due to the way Moodle caches data you may have performance issues if you use relatively slow storage (e.g. NFS) for this directory. Read the [[Performance_recommendations]] carefully and consider using (e.g.) memcached for [[Caching]].

'''IMPORTANT:''' This directory must '''NOT''' be accessible directly via the web. This would be a serious security hole. Do not try to place it inside your web root or inside your Moodle program files directory. Moodle will not install. It can go anywhere else convenient.

Here is an example (Unix/Linux) of creating the directory and setting the permissions for '''anyone''' on the server to write here. This is only appropriate for Moodle servers that are not shared. Discuss this with your server administrator for better permissions that just allow the web server user to access these files.

<pre>
# mkdir /path/to/moodledata
# chmod 0777 /path/to/moodledata
</pre>

If your server supports ACL it is recommended to set following permissions, for example if your Apache server uses account www-data:
<pre>
# chmod -R +a "www-data allow read,delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" /path/to/moodledata
</pre>
If you are planning to execute PHP scripts from the command line you should set the same permissions for the current user:
<pre>
$ sudo chmod -R +a "`whoami` allow read,delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" /path/to/moodledata
</pre>

==== Securing moodledata in a web directory ====

If you are using a hosted site and you have no option but to place 'moodledata' in a web accessible directory. You may be able to secure it by creating an .htaccess file in the 'moodledata' directory. This does not work on all systems - see your host/administrator. Create a file called .htaccess containing only the following lines:
<pre>
order deny,allow
deny from all
</pre>

== Start Moodle install ==
It's now time to run the installer to create the database tables and configure your new site. The recommended method is to use the command line installer. If you cannot do this for any reason (e.g. on a Windows server) the web based installer is still available.

=== Command line installer ===

It's best to run the command line as your system's web user. You need to know what that is - see your system's documentation (e.g. Ubuntu/Debian is 'www-data', Centos is 'apache')

* Example of using the command-line (as root - substitute 'www-data' for your web user):
<pre>
# chown www-data /path/to/moodle
# cd /path/to/moodle/admin/cli
# sudo -u www-data /usr/bin/php install.php
# chown -R root /path/to/moodle
</pre>
The chowns allow the script to write a new config.php file. More information about the options can be found using
<pre>
# php install.php --help
</pre>

You will be asked for other settings that have not been discussed on this page - if unsure just accept the defaults. For a full discussion see [[Administration via command line]]

=== Web based installer ===
To run the web installer script, just go to your Moodle's main URL using a web browser.

The installation process will take you through a number of pages. You should be asked to confirm the copyright, see the database tables being created, supply administrator account details and supply the site details. The database creation can take some time - please be patient. You should eventually end up at the Moodle front page with an invitation to create a new course.

It is very likely that you will be asked to download the new config.php file and upload it to your Moodle installation - just follow the on-screen instructions.

==Final configuration==

=== Settings within Moodle ===
There are a number of options within the Moodle Site Administration screens (accessible from the 'Site administration' tab in the 'Administration' block. Here are a few of the more important ones that you will probably want to check:
* ''Administration > Site administration > Plugins > Message Outputs > Email'': Set your smtp server and authentication if required (so your Moodle site can send emails). The support contact for your site is also set on this page.
* ''Administration > Site administration > Server > System paths'': Set the paths to du, dot and aspell binaries.
* ''Administration > Site administration > Server > HTTP'': If you are behind a firewall you may need to set your proxy credentials in the 'Web proxy' section.
* ''Administration > Site administration > Location > Update timezones'': Run this to make sure your timezone information is up to date.

=== Remaining tasks ===

* '''Configure Cron''': Moodle's background tasks (e.g. sending out forum emails and performing course backups) are performed by a script which you can set to execute at specific times of the day. This is known as a cron script. Please refer to the [[Cron|Cron instructions]].
* '''Set up backups''': See [[Site backup]] and [[Automated course backup]].
* '''Check mail works''': [[Add a new user|Create a test user]] with a valid email address and [[message|send them a message]]. Do they receive an email copy of the message? If not, check the settings in ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Message outputs > Email''. Don't be tempted to skip this step (clue: email is used to recover lost passwords, including the administrator password when you forget it!)
* '''Secure your Moodle site''': Read the [[Security recommendations]].

=== Installation is complete :) ===

* Create a new course: You can now [[Adding a new course|create a new course]] and have a play ;-)

=== If something goes wrong... ===

Here are some things you should try...

* Check the [[Installation FAQ]]
* Check your file permissions carefully. Can your web server read (but not write) the Moodle program files? Can your web server read and write your Moodle data directory?
* Check your database permissions. Have you set up your database user with the correct rights and permissions for your configuration (especially if the web server and database server are different machines)?
* Create your [[Configuration file]] (config.php) by hand. Copy config-dist.php (in the root of the Moodle program directory) to config.php, edit it and set your database/site options there. Installation will continue from the right place.
* Once you have a config.php (see previous tip) you can edit it to turn on debugging (in section 8). This may give you extra information to help track down a problem. If you have access, check your web server error log(s).
* Re-check your php.ini / .htaccess settings. Are they appropriate (e.g. memory_limit), did you edit the correct php.ini / .htaccess file and (if required) did you re-start the web server after making changes?
* Did you include any non-core (optional) plugins, themes or other code before starting the installation script? If so, remove it and try again (it may be broken or incompatible).
* Explain your problem in the [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/view.php?id=28 Installation problems forum]. '''PLEASE''' list your software versions; explain what you did, what happened and what error messages you saw (if any); explain what you tried. There is no such thing as 'nothing', even a blank page is something!

== Platform specific instructions ==

'''Note:''' Much of this information is provided by the community. It may not have been checked and may be out of date. Please read in conjunction with the above installation instructions.

* [[Windows installation]]
** [[Installing Moodle on SmarterASP.NET]]
* [[Unix or Linux Installation]]
* [[Mac Installation]]
* [[Amazon EC2 Cloud Services Installation]]

== See also ==

* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=182086 New Video Tutorial- How to Install Moodle on Shared Hosting via cPanel (Not Fantastico)]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=199542 Video Tutorial - Install Moodle on a Virtual Box from scratch]

[[es:Instalaci%C3%B3n_de_moodle]]
[[de:Installation von Moodle]]
[[fr:Installation de Moodle]]
[[ja:Moodleのインストール]]

Moodle site - basic structure

2014-02-28T00:25:37Z

Alexanders: Tidy up

{{About Moodle}}
==How does Moodle work?==
===The Front page===
*The [[Front page]] of a Moodle site - the page you reach from your browser - usually includes information about the establishment itself and can be highly customised. (Note that it is also possible to lock the front page down so that all a user sees when they click on the Moodle URL is a log in screen.)
*How users [[Authentication|join a Moodle site]] depends on the establishment: they might be given logins; they might be allowed to make accounts themselves, or they might be signed in automatically from another system.

===Inside Moodle===
*Moodle's basic structure is organised around [[Courses|courses]]. These are basically pages or areas within Moodle where teachers can present their learning [[Resources|resources]] and [[Activities|activities]] to students. They can have different layouts but they usually include a number of central sections where materials are displayed and side [[Blocks|blocks]] offering extra features or information.
*Courses can contain content for a year's studies, a single session or any other variants depending on the teacher or establishment. They can be used by one teacher or shared by a group of teachers.
*How students [[Enrolment|enrol]] on courses depends on the establishment; for example they can self-enrol, be enrolled manually by their teacher or automatically by the admin.
*Courses are organised into categories. Physics, Chemistry and Biology courses might come under the Science category for instance.

===Teachers, students and other Moodle users===
*You don't enter Moodle with the "teacher" or "student" role.
*Everyone who logs into Moodle has no special privileges until they are allocated [[Roles_and_capabilities|roles]] by the administrator according to their needs in individual courses or contexts.

===Finding your way around===
*A logged in user can access areas of Moodle such as their courses or profile from the [[Navigation block]] and [[Administration block]]. What a user sees in these blocks depends on their role and any privileges granted them by the administrator.
*Each user has their own customisable page, accessed from the [[My home]] link.

==See also==
* [http://www.slideshare.net/mark.drechsler/moodle-structural-overview Structural overview] slide show by Mark Drechsler
* [http://www.slideshare.net/moodlefan/what-is-moodle-explained-with-lego-presentation What is Moodle explained with Lego] presentation by Tomaz Lasic

[[de:Aufbau einer Moodle-Site]]
[[es:Sitio Moodle - estructura básica]]

Features

2014-02-28T00:22:01Z

Alexanders: Extra bracket removed

{{About Moodle}}
==Features Tour==
Moodle is a free, online Learning Management system enabling educators to create their own private website filled with dynamic courses that extend learning, any time, anywhere.

Whether you're a teacher, student or administrator, Moodle can meet your needs. Moodle’s extremely customisable core comes with many standard features. Take a look at a highlight of Moodle's core features below.

<div style="width:100%; background-color:#F9F9F9; font-size:100%; border-top:2px solid #AAAAAA; border-bottom: 2px solid #AAAAAA;"><div style="font-size:150%; padding:1em 0em 1em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">'''General Features'''</div>

<gallery mode="nolines" widths="300px" heights="225px">
Image:better-responsive-design.png|<h3>Modern, easy to use interface</h3>Designed to be responsive and accessible, the Moodle interface is easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile devices.<br>[http://school.demo.moodle.net/ View demo]
Image:Personalised Dashboard.jpeg|<h3>Personalised Dashboard</h3>Organise and display courses the way you want, and view at a glance current tasks and messages.<br>[[My home]]
Image:Collaborative-tools.jpg|<h3>Collaborative tools and activities</h3>Work and learn together in forums, wikis, glossaries, database activities, and much more.<br>[[Activities]]
Image:all-in-one-Calendar.jpg|<h3>All-in-one calendar</h3>Moodle’s calendar tool helps you keep track of your academic or company calendar, course deadlines, group meetings, and other personal events. <br>[[Calendar]]
Image:File-Management.jpg|<h3>Convenient file management</h3>Drop and drop files from cloud storage services including MS Skydrive, Dropbox and Google Drive.<br>[[Working with files]]
Image:text-editor.jpg|<h3>Simple and intuitive text editor</h3>Format text and conveniently add media and images with an editor that works across all web browsers and devices.<br>[[Text editor]]
Image:Notifications.jpg|<h3>Notifications</h3>When enabled, users can receive automatic alerts on new assignments and deadlines, forum posts and also send private messages to one another.<br>[[Messaging]]
Image:track-progress.jpg|<h3>Track progress</h3>Educators and learners can track progress and completion with an array of options for tracking individual activities or resources and at course level.<br>[[Tracking progress]]
</img></gallery>
<div style="padding:.5em 0em .5em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">[[Main page|View the complete list of features→]]</div></div>

<div style="width:100%; background-color:#FFFFFF; font-size:100%; border-top:2px solid #FFFFFF; border-bottom: 2px solid #FFFFFF;"><div style="font-size:150%; padding:1em 0em 1em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">'''Administrative Features'''</div>

<gallery mode="nolines" widths="300px" heights="225px">
Image:customisedesign.jpg|<h3>Customisable site design and layout</h3>Easily customise a Moodle theme with your logo, colour schemes and much more - or simply design your own theme.<br>[[Themes]]
Image:secure-authentication-and-enrolment.jpg|<h3>Secure authentication and mass enrolment</h3>Over 50 authentication and enrolment options to add and enrol users to your Moodle site and courses.<br>[[Authentication]] / [[Enrolment]]
Image:multilingual-capability.jpg|<h3>Multilingual capability</h3>Allow users to view course content and learn in their own language, or set it up for multilingual users and organisations. <br>[[Language]]
Image:bulk-course-upload.jpg|<h3>Bulk course creation and easy backup</h3>Add courses in bulk, back up and restore large courses with ease.<br>[[Bulk course upload]]
Image:manage-user-roles.jpg|<h3>Manage user roles and permissions</h3>Address security concerns by defining roles to specify and manage user access.<br>[[Roles and permissions]]
Image:lti-scorm-compliant.jpg|<h3>Supports open standards</h3>Readily import and export IMS-LTI, SCORM courses and more into Moodle. <br>[[SCORM]] / [[External tool]]
Image:embed-external-tool.jpg|<h3>High interoperability</h3>Freely integrate external applications and content or create your own plugin for custom integrations. <br>[[Standards]]
Image:Install_add_on.jpg|<h3>Simple add-ons and plugin management</h3>Install and disable add-ons and plugins within a single admin interface. <br>[[Installing add-ons]]
Image:security-updates.jpg|<h3>Regular security updates</h3>Moodle is regularly updated with the latest security patches to help ensure your Moodle site is secure. <br>[[Security]]
Image:detailed-logs.jpg|<h3>Detailed reporting and logs</h3>View and generate reports on activity and participation at course and site level.<br>[[Site-wide reports]]
</img></gallery>
<div style="padding:.5em 0em .5em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">[[Managing a Moodle site|See all site management and development features→]]</div></div>

<div style="width:100%; background-color:#F9F9F9; font-size:100%; border-top:2px solid #AAAAAA; border-bottom: 2px solid #AAAAAA;"><div style="font-size:150%; padding:1em 0em 1em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">'''Course Development and Management Features'''</div>
<gallery mode="nolines" widths="300px" heights="225px">
Image:direct-learning-path.jpg|<h3>Direct learning paths</h3>Design and manage courses to meet various requirements. Classes can be instructor-led, self-paced, blended or entirely online. <br>[[Pedagogy]]
Image:collaborative-activities.jpg|<h3>Encourage collaboration</h3>Built-in collaborative publishing features foster engagement and encourage content-driven collaboration. <br>[[Activities]]
Image:embed-external-tool.jpg|<h3>Embed external resources</h3>Teach materials and include assignments from other sites and connect to the gradebook in Moodle.<br>[[External tool]]
Image:built-in-media-support.jpg|<h3>Multimedia Integration</h3>Moodle’s built-in media support enables you to easily search for and insert video and audio files in your courses. <br>[[Working with media]]
Image:manage-groups.jpg|<h3>Group management</h3>Group learners to share courses, differentiate activities and facilitate team work.<br>[[Groups]]
Image:marking-workflow.jpg|<h3>Marking workflow</h3>Conveniently assign different markers to assignments, manage grade moderation and control when marks are released to individual learners.<br>[[Assignment module]]
Image:annotate-pdf.jpg|<h3>In-line marking</h3>Easily review and provide in-line feedback by annotating on PDF files directly within browser.<br>[[Assignment module]]
Image:peer-and-self-assessment.jpg|<h3>Peer and self assessment</h3>Built-in activities such as workshops and surveys encourages learners to view, grade and assess their own and other course members' work as a group.<br>[[Workshop]]
Image:badges.jpg|<h3>Integrated Badges</h3>Fully compatible with Mozilla Open Badges, motivate learners and reward participation and achievement with customised Badges. <br>[[Badges]]
Image:advanced-grading.jpg|<h3>Outcomes and rubrics</h3>Select from advanced grading methods to tailor the gradebook to your course and examination criteria.<br>[[Grades]]
Image:private-classroom.jpg|<h3>Security and privacy</h3>Teach and share in a private space only you and your class can access.<br>[[Courses]]
</img></gallery>
<div style="padding:.5em 0em .5em 0em; text-align:left; margin:auto; width:100%;">[[Managing a Moodle course|See all course creation and management features→]]</div></div>

[[es:Características]]

About Moodle

2014-02-28T00:07:30Z

Alexanders:

{{Main page}}

Moodle is a learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a '''single robust, secure and integrated system''' to create personalised learning environments. You can [http://download.moodle.org/ download the software] onto your own web server or ask one of our knowledgable [http://moodle.com/partners/ Moodle Partners] to assist you.

Moodle is built by the Moodle project which is led and coordinated by [http://moodle.com/hq Moodle HQ], an Australian company of 30 developers which is financially supported by a network of 60 Moodle Partner service companies worldwide.

==Built for learning, globally==

===Proven and trusted worldwide===
Powering [https://moodle.org/stats/ tens of thousands of learning environments globally], Moodle is trusted by institutions and organisations large and small, including Shell, London School of Economics, State University of New York, Microsoft and the Open University. Moodle’s worldwide numbers of more than [https://moodle.org/stats/ 65 million users] across both academic and enterprise level usage makes it the world’s most widely used learning platform.

===Designed to support both teaching and learning===
With over 10 years of development guided by [[Philosophy|social constructionist pedagogy]], Moodle delivers a powerful set of learner-centric tools and collaborative learning environments that empower both teaching and learning.

===Easy to use===
A simple interface, drag-and-drop features, and [[Main page|well-documented resources]] along with ongoing usability improvements make Moodle easy to learn and use.

===Free with no licensing fees===
Moodle is provided freely as [http://opensource.org/docs/osd Open Source] software, under the [[:dev:License|GNU General Public License]]. Anyone can adapt, extend or modify Moodle for both commercial and non-commercial projects without any licensing fees and benefit from the cost-efficiencies, flexibility and other advantages of using Moodle.

===Always up-to-date===
The Moodle project’s open-source approach means that Moodle is continually being reviewed and improved on to suit the current and evolving needs of its users.

===Moodle in your language===
Moodle’s [[Language|multilingual]] capabilities ensure there are no linguistic limitations to learning online. The Moodle community has [[Translation|translated]] Moodle into more than 95 languages (and counting) so users can easily localise their Moodle site, along with plenty of resources, support and [https://moodle.org/course/ community discussions] available in various languages.

==All-in-one learning platform==
Moodle provides the most flexible tool-set to support both blended learning and 100% online courses. Configure Moodle by [[Advanced features|enabling or disabling core features]], and easily integrate everything needed for a course using its complete range of built-in features, including external collaborative tools such as [[Forum|forums]], [[Wiki|wikis]], [[Chat|chats]] and [[Blog|blogs]].

==Highly flexible and fully customisable==
Because it is open-source, Moodle can be customised in any way and tailored to individual needs. Its modular set up and interoperable design allows developers to [[:dev:Plugins|create plugins]] and integrate external applications to achieve specific functionalities. Extend what Moodle does by using freely available [https://moodle.org/plugins/ plugins and add-ons] - the possibilities are endless!

==Scalable to any size==
From a few students to millions of users, Moodle can be scaled to support the needs of both small classes and large organisations. Because of its flexibility and scalability, Moodle has been adapted for use across education, business, non-profit, government, and community contexts.

==Robust, secure and private==
Committed to safeguarding data [[Security|security]] and [[Privacy|user privacy]], [https://moodle.org/security/ security controls are constantly being updated] and implemented in Moodle development processes and software to protect against unauthorised access, data loss and misuse. Moodle can be easily deployed on a private secure cloud or server for complete control.

==Use anytime, anywhere, on any device==
Moodle is web-based and so can be accessed from anywhere in the world. With a default mobile-compatible (soon to be responsive) interface and cross-browser compatibility, content on the Moodle platform is easily accessible and consistent across different web browsers and devices.

==Extensive resources available==
Access extensive [https://docs.moodle.org/overview/ Moodle documentation] and [https://moodle.org/course/ user forums] in multiple languages, free [http://moodle.net/ content and courses] shared by Moodle users across the world, as well as hundreds of [https://moodle.org/plugins/ plugins and add-ons] contributed by a large global community.

==Backed by a strong community==
The Moodle project is well-supported by an active [https://moodle.org/dev/ international community], a [http://moodle.com/hq/team/ team of dedicated full-time developers] and a network of certified [[Moodle Partners]]. Driven by open collaboration and great community support, the project continues to achieve rapid bug fixes and improvements, with [[:dev:Releases|major new releases]] every six months. Come [http://moodle.org/community/ moodle with us] in our community forums!

<div class="content">
*[[Features]]
*[[New features|New features in 2.6]]
*[[Philosophy]]
*[[Pedagogy]]
*[[Standards]]
*[[History]]
*[[Usage]]
*[[Moodle site - basic structure]]
*[[Moodle key terms]]
*[[About Moodle FAQ]]
</div>

==See also==

* [[:dev:Future|The future of Moodle]] (in the developer documentation)

[[Category:About Moodle]]

[[es:Acerca de Moodle]]
[[eu:Moodle-ri buruz]]
[[fr:À propos de Moodle]]
[[de:Was ist Moodle?]]
[[ja:Moodleとは]]