Announcing MoodleCloud by Moodle

MoodleCloud is a new hosting solution offered directly from the makers
of Moodle, allowing anyone to get a free Moodle site in seconds. Ideal for individual classrooms and other limited learning environments, MoodleCloud includes the latest version of Moodle’s award-winning education technology software in addition to selected integration with other software.

As a popular open source learning platform since 2002, adopted by millions globally for e-learning, Moodle is available free under the GPLv3 software licence for users to download and install for online learning activities and courses. Now, the team behind the Moodle platform are making it easier for teachers and trainers to adopt the software for their use with MoodleCloud. MoodleCloud is the new hosting solution direct from Moodle, offering a simple way for educators across the globe to get their own free Moodle site for up to 50 users.

MoodleCloud site administrators have the ability to manage courses, add content, enrol users, start class discussions and more within their Moodle learning environment. With automatic updates to the latest Moodle release, MoodleCloud hosting seamlessly gives educators the choice to adopt the open source learning platform for their teaching and training objectives without the need to install, maintain and upgrade the software and servers themselves. MoodleCloud hosting servers by Amazon Web Services with the Moodle software integrated with the open source web conferencing application, BigBlueButton.

MoodleCloud is especially suited for lone teachers without many resources who want to use Moodle for a class, but it’s also aimed at anyone wanting to try Moodle in a real educational situation, such as small schools, small businesses, government departments. Free MoodleCloud sites vary a little to core Moodle, are a little less fleixble and do not come with support – if you need help or tips in using Moodle well you’ll need to contact a Moodle Partner or visit the community resources on moodle.org.

Moodle is a highly flexible open-source learning platform, with complete, customisable and secure learning management features to create a private website filled with dynamic courses that extend e-learning education through online technology. Supported by a global network of certified Moodle Partners delivering quality customer service, Moodle has grown to become one of the leading providers of learning software available in over 100 languages. Moodle can be adapted to most learning environments, used for anything from automotive mechanical training to massive education platforms like Open Universities. Bring all your learners into one place for communication, collaboration and learning with the software trusted by millions across the globe.

Instead of doing everything themselves, many universities, schools, governments and companies take advantage of Moodle’s worldwide network of over 60 certified Moodle Partners who provide a range of services such as Moodle hosting, consulting, training, design and customisation. Using Moodle Partners supports the Moodle project, because Moodle Partners pay 10% of their revenue towards Moodle Pty Ltd and core development, helping improve the platform with future releases for all users.

Now, for those with more modest needs, Moodle has created MoodleCloud, a full software-as-a-service solution, allowing anyone to deploy their own secure and private Moodle site in an instant. The team at Moodle is committed to providing the ultimate education resource to help improve teaching and learning globally.

As a free open source platform, Moodle is often adapted and sold by organisations without our same commitment to educators and pedagogy. With options available to all users for small, free MoodleCloud sites and the expert services of Moodle Partners for customisation and scalability, users have a choice to adopt the platform in a way that supports the growth and future releases of Moodle.

Martin Dougiamas is best known as the founder of Moodle, and leading the team of software developers at the heart of the Moodle project. With a mixed academic background in Computer Science and Education, Martin’s major goal for the future is to improve the quality of education by encouraging social constructivist and collaborative practices within online learning communities.

Moodle Founder & CEO, Martin Dougiamas will announce the introduction of MoodleCloud as a free hosting solution from Moodle on stage at the official annual conference, MoodleMoot Australia. A recording of the MoodleMoot keynote presentation by Martin will be available to view online by 12 July.