This document contains the Moodle LMS Nomenclatures that we come across in a day to day life. Hope this document helps you in clearing the basic Moodle terminology doubts.

1. Moodle Terminology Made
Simple for You!
Are you a novice when it comes to the Moodle platform? Or you
want to educate your folks about this popular open source
software? Well, this post exactly intends to meet this purpose – to
learn about Moodle terminology. It helps your folks to get familiar
with your Moodle learning management system (LMS).
So let’s become a Moodle aficionado!

2. Moodle
Moodle Instance
Moodle stands for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment
(MOODLE). To those who heard it for the first time, it’s not a kind of noodle dish nor
has it anything to do with Google’s doodles. Make no mistake. But Moodle is a
popular, open source learning management system (LMS). Using Moodle LMS, a
wide spectrum of organizations make learning and development (L&D) happen
online.
Moodle instance means the code of Moodle LMS software. In their parlance, the
single instance means one Moodle LMS. And the multiple Moodle instances mean
more than one Moodle LMS. If you are using multiple Moodle instances, it’s
possible to have a single database for all the instances.

3. Moodle Block
A block on Moodle is nothing but a shortcut link,
created on a dashboard or within a course. Create
a block for any of the Moodle plugins you have on
your Moodle, by clicking on ‘Add block.’
Moodle Category
A category on Moodle represents a group of similar
things like courses or organizations. Like the courses, the
admin creates Moodle categories for quick and easy
classification of the respective items.
Moodle Course
Moodle Courses are the heart of the Moodle LMS. They
are nothing but courses for learning or training. The
Moodle admin/teacher creates courses or imports the
same to their Moodle LMS.

4. Moodle Roles
Moodle roles are those that have their level of access to their Moodle LMS. Each role comes with a set of capabilities/
responsibilities, and they are assigned to users. By and large, the Moodle admins are at the helm of the affairs of their
Moodle. Likewise, there are by default Moodle teacher and Moodle student roles. And depending on the need, create a
Moodle Resource
A resource on Moodle can be a page, file, URL, book or anything like that. If the course creator wants to add a Moodle
resource, he/she has to add it under a course. Then those who have permission to the course will access that
resource.
Moodle Activity
Any task that comes under a Moodle course is nothing but a Moodle activity. As a Moodle admin, you create activities
like quizzes, assignments, lessons, wiki, and a bunch of others. You’ll find an activity along with a resource as a link called
‘Add activity or resource’ on your Moodle LMS.

5. Moodle Theme
A theme for Moodle LMS is akin to what a dress to us. That is, you dress up your
Moodle LMS with a beautiful theme. Depending on the theme, free or paid, you use
for your Moodle, it presents and changes the appearance of your Moodle site from
‘OK’ to ‘Wow.’
Moodle Filters
Filters on Moodle make your search easy and quick. Based on the first name of a
filter, you’ll find that item. For example, if you have a ‘Course Filter,’ you’ll filter for
the specific course. It’s up to you what filter to have and where across your
Moodle.
Moodle Competency
What’s the purpose of taking a course, quiz, SCORM, etc.? To develop skills in
those who take up learning or training. In Moodle parlance, competency is
equal to skill. Your L&D manager or teacher will decide the competencies for
your courses.

6. Moodle Grades
Grades in Moodle are scores awarded to a student or any other role
for completing an activity of a course.
Moodle Gradebook
Moodle Module
Gradebook in Moodle is like your progress card. That is, at Gradebook,
you’ll find all scores of activities of a course. Each course will have its
own Gradebook.
We can understand modules at two levels; one is at the LMS level and
the other at the course level. At the LMS level, the modules make up
your Moodle LMS. The modules include eLearning, Classrooms, Learning
Paths, and so on. At the course level, a book or file or any such activity
or a resource becomes a module.

7. Moodle Plugin
A plugin is a small software tool, designed to do a specific functionality (or task) when you add it to the Moodle LMS. It’s
an add-in to the Moodle platform. When you need, add a plugin. You can remove the same when it’s not in use. Moodle
has tens of hundreds of plugins. For example, LearnerScript is a Moodle analytics plugin, meant for reporting purposes.
SCORM in Moodle
The Shareable Content Objective Reference Model (SCORM) is an eLearning protocol widely accepted across the LMSs. If
an LMS becomes SCORM compliant, then its courses can be shareable across other SCORM compliant LMSs, without
re-creating them from scratch. By the way, Moodle is compliant with the SCORM.

8. Moodle Analytics
Moodle Forum
Moodle analytics throws some light on the learning experience or patterns of the
roles from your Moodle LMS. The insights from the Moodle analytics help discover
whether your L&D is going in the right way to meet the learning objectives. And you
analyse the data of your Moodle through Moodle reports.
A forum in Moodle LMS is a place where students have peer-to-peer or
peer-to-teacher discussions about the topic initiated. Roles subscribe to various
Moodle forums or they themselves can start one, based on the prescribed
conditions.

9. Moodle Badge
A badge is awarded to learners to encourage them
during their training. In other words, it’s a pat on the
shoulder of any user on your Moodle. You can set
badges at various stages of a course, a learning path,
a program, or any such kind.
Moodle Certificates
Award the Certificates to students or roles that
complete a course, a program, a learning path, and
anything as such. Using the Design Certificate module
in Moodle, create or modify the certificates.
Moodle App
Moodle App is more or less the mobile version of Moodle LMS. It consists of most of the modules of the LMS or the
modules that are specific to mobile devices. Moodle users can have the Branded App or the Customized App for their
Moodle LMS.

10. H5P in Moodle
The HTML5 Package (H5P) tool helps design your
courseware with interactive content types. The H5P
comes up with over 40 plus content types. Now this
useful plugin has become the part and parcel of
Moodle LMS.
Moodle Question Bank
The question bank in Moodle is where you stock up with various
questions. When you create a quiz of a course, you’ll either take the
questions from the question bank or upload new ones.
Moodle Quiz
A quiz is a module in Moodle. The course creator or teacher will
create a quiz of a course as and when it requires. It helps to assess
the learning level of your learners on Moodle.

11. MOOCs
The MOOCs stand for Massive Open Online Courses. The Moodle has
‘features and benefits’ completely suitable for the delivery of courses by
organizations or institutions using the MOOCs. Using the MOOCs, you
can deliver courses across the world, without access restrictions.
MoodleNet
MoodleNet is a centralized platform for curated collection of open,
educational resources. Irrespective of their LMS, anyone can access and
use these resources for learning and development purposes.

12. MoodleMoot
It’s a summit for Moodlers to propose, discuss, and exchange ideas and knowledge about Moodle. They showcase how
they solve a particular problem with a specific tool in the learning through Moodle LMS. Moodle HQ conducts the Moots
around the world at different places and at various times throughout the year.
Moodle Version
Moodle version is a software update for Moodle LMS. For instance, the Moodle 4.0, means ‘Moodle version 4.0.’ The
Moodle HQ releases the versions twice a year (biannual) by fixing bugs, security updates, and as such.