I’d like to revisit a topic I’ve posted about in the past, the best Modules and Plugins for Moodle. With Moodle 2 coming out, a revamp of the moodle.org plugins directory and the time since our last look at modules and plugins, I thought it’d be good to take another look.
Here are the modules I’ve posted about in the past:
Revisions of previous Modules rationale
Integration: Moodle-Google Apps
I used to love this Moodle-Google SSO module but a few years later I prefer the other authentication option of Google Apps Directory Sync or even better, a custom solution tied to your Google domain and your other solutions (crossing fingers we can do this in our district). A few reasons why–quirky issues with the plugin that I was able to troubleshoot but just inconsistency in account creation, third-party services in Google Apps (like Aviary) did not work and features like organization management are available with the sync tool. However, moodle.org does have better documentation of this module.
Activity Module: Questionnaire
Still a great module, but I believe they are working on a new and improved survey module that combines the Feedback, Survey and Questionnaire module into a standard Survey module. It does not look like it’s come out yet or if there is active development. I have not installed Questionnaire yet on our Moodle 2 site but if the standard module doesn’t come out by Fall I will install it.
New Modules
Here are a few modules that are either new to me or ones that have jumped in rank in my opinion.
Certificate (activity module) 1.9, 2.1 and below
I’ve mentioned this before but I have only recently added it to our Moodle 2 site. I’d like to give this module an extra bump as it could be very useful for professional development and courses where credits or proof of completion are important. Works in Moodle 2.
Drag and Drop file Upload (block) 1.9, 2.x
This block could possibly make me our teachers’ new best friend. I’ve heard about this plugin for awhile but only recently installed it on our Moodle 2 site. Tried it once and got very excited. Just like the title says, this block allows a user to drag a file from their desktop onto a Moodle course. I still have to see how it works with other browsers but this could be a great help when we transition our users to Moodle 2 in the Fall.
Grid Format (Course Format) 1.9, 2.2 and below
I have not yet installed this Course Format but from what I understand it basically does the Compact Design for you. In the discussion thread there were a few bugs but it looks like it was updated last week which takes care of those. I still want to look a little more into it before installing but it looks great.
Onetopic Format and Topic Forums (Course Format) 1.9, 2.1 and below
I haven’t installed these Course Formats yet but they look pretty cool. Onetopic looks like it adds tabs for each section which will show one topic at a time. This would prevent the issue of the “scroll of death”. The topic Forums Course Format works the same way but it also puts a discussion forum in each of the section pages.
HTMLArea toolbar Extension (Other) 1.9, 2.1 and below
I have not yet installed/modified our code which enables this feature. It really got me interested and excited when I attended a session on it during last year’s iMoot. At that time I don’t think it was compatible with 2.x but it does look like it is now. Again, I need to look into this more especially because it involves modifying code. This module adds many different features to the WYSIWYG Editor. Definitely something I plan on installing in the future.
I installed the Certificate and Drap and Drop module last week in our Moodle 2 environment. I’m being cautious on installing a few of these and waiting a little longer so the bugs can get worked out. We’ll be transitioning to Moodle 2 next fall so I’m sure there will be more Modules I’ll find and report back on. If you have any favorite Modules please feel free to comment!
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