Moodle is a popular open source learning management system (LMS) used by many organizations for online learning and development. This document defines key Moodle terminology to help users understand the Moodle platform better, including definitions for things like Moodle courses, modules, roles, activities, resources, and plugins. It also explains concepts like Moodle versions, instances, themes, filters, badges, certificates, quizzes, forums, and analytics to provide a comprehensive overview of Moodle terminology for novices.

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!
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LMS
Moodle
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
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.
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.
Moodle Grades
Grades in Moodle are scores awarded to a student or any other role for completing
an activity of a course.
Moodle Gradebook
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.

3. Appearance
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 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
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.
Add-ons
Moodle Module
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.
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4. 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.
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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.
Assessment

5. 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.
Community
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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.
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 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 number of roles for your organization on the LMS.
Course

6. 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.
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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 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.
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.
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.

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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.
Moodle Forum
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.
Peer-to-Peer
Moodle Analytics
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.
Analytics & Appreciation
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.

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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.