TWT2010_6.WhatIs

=TWT2010_6. Using Moodle to Support and Extend Learning=


 * < [[image:http://moodle.org/theme/moodle2/pix/moodle-logo.gif link="http://moodle.org"]] ||< * ===What is Moodle?===
 * ===TWT2010_6. Workshop Outline===
 * ===Moodle Resources=== ||

= =

What is Moodle?
Moodle is a free and open-source e-learning software platform, also known as a Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). As of April 2010 it had a user base of 49,550 active sites from 210 countries. This translates to 3,437,385 courses and 34,854,966 users.

Moodle is developed by [|Martin Dougiamas] to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content.

The acronym //Moodle// stands for //**M**odular **O**bject-**O**riented **D**ynamic **L**earning **E**nvironment//, although originally the "M" stood for "Martin's", named after [|Martin Dougiamas], the original developer.

The word "Moodle" can also function as a verb which describes the improvisational process of doing things as it occurs to you to do them, an enjoyable tinkering that often leads to insight and creativity. As such it applies both to the way Moodle was developed, and to the way a student or teacher might approach studying or teaching an online course.


 * In his own words...**

It's a verb in English but not very well known. I had heard of the word even though it only appears in larger dictionaries.

When coming up with a name for my system I remember sitting down one evening trying to come up with a word that:
 * 1) was an acronym (because I like hidden meanings)
 * 2) was a word you could say easily
 * 3) was not common on the internet (so searches could find it)
 * 4) had a domain name free

I played around with words and whois for a few hours before finally deciding on Moodle and registered moodle.com. The fact that "moodle" actually had a meaning of its own which made sense was the main reason why it won over other combinations. The system has never had another name, although originally the M in Moodle was "Martin's" not "Modular".

//Martin Dougiamas - founder/developer of Moodle//

TWT2010_6.Moodle TWT2010_23.TinkerPlots