Thank you to everyone who joined us at MoodleMoot Global 2023. Over 700 Moodlers attended this year’s global Moot from 19-21 September 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.
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It gives us great pleasure to announce the winner of the best presentation at MoodleMoot Global 2023, as voted by you!
Thank you to all of you who cast your vote for the best presentation at MoodleMoot Global 2023. We saw an incredible selection of presentations from over 100 speakers during the three days of the event, and we are thrilled to announce our shortlist and winner. All presentations were eligible to win, with the exception of the keynotes and those presented by Moodle HQ staff.
The top 3 best presentations, as voted by global Moot attendees are…
Our winner, as voted by you, and the recipient of a free ticket to MoodleMoot Global 2024 in Mexico, is:
for his presentation “Lessons Learned Upgrading the Largest Moodle in the Southern Hemisphere”.
Congratulations to Cameron, Svein-Tore and Chad, and a huge thank you to all of our presenters.
We hope to see many of you again next year in Mexico from 12-14 November, when we will reconvene for our next global MoodleMoot. Make sure to save the date, and please register your interest.
After taking a moment to catch our breath following all the excitement of Barcelona, the MoodleMoot Global team have been busy pulling together videos and photos of the event to share with you all.
Recordings of each and every presentation from day 1 of the event, as well as our three keynote presentations and closing session, are available for you to view now. Videos of presentations from day 2 will be made available next week, and those from day 3 the following week. You can find these on YouTube and Moodle Academy.
You can also view official event photo galleries – look for these in the ‘Video & Photo’ section of the MoodleMoot Global 2023 course on Moodle Academy.
In 2024, MoodleMoot Global will be held in Mexico from 12-14 November, with a pre-conference the day before, so make sure to save the date, and please register your interest.
Also a reminder that if you haven’t accessed your certificate of attendance, or your certificate of appreciation for speakers, you can download them from the Moodle Academy course.
Following two days of outstanding presentations and engaging discussions, we finally arrived at the last day of MoodleMoot Global 2023. With over 700 participants joining from 56 countries and more than 100 speakers from 24 countries, the event has truly become a global gathering of educators, innovators, and Moodle enthusiasts!
The morning of Day 3 at MoodleMoot Global 2023 began with a panel discussion exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and workplace learning. The session, titled ‘How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Education and the Workplace’, was hosted by Brett Dalto, the Head of Education Solutions at Moodle HQ.
The discussion featured a lineup of experts, including Heikki Wilenius from the University of Helsinki, Elizabeth Dalton from IntelliBoard, Rajnish Kumar from Verificient, Tim Hunt from The Open University UK, and Meghan Mencer of Harnessing Your Potential.
Brett posed three questions to the panel: Are our educational institutions equipped or prepared to address potential AI? How will regulating AI impact the Education industry? How will AI have the greatest positive impact on education?
The panellists offered intriguing opinions, and some provided contradicting views that provided new perspectives on the topic. Discussing bias in AI, Elizabeth Dalton from IntelliBoard suggested that to make AI unbiased, we need to broaden our data sources to be inclusive of all demographics. Conversely, Rajnish Kumar from Verificient argued that rather than focusing on whether AI is biased, we should consider the intention behind building an AI system.
The panellists also raised thought-provoking questions. For instance, Tim Hunt from The Open University UK questioned whether we understand the implications of AI well enough to draft effective legislation. The discussion also touched on how current and future generations will adapt to the growing impact of AI in society. Heikki Wilenius from the University of Helsinki proposed that to adapt to new technology, we must commit to understanding and accepting how it functions.
After a refreshing coffee break, the morning sessions continued with diverse topics, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of Moodle and educational technology.
One notable presentation was ‘In Fair Models We Trust: Introducing a Plugin for Auditing Moodle Learning Analytics Models’ by Linda Fernsel from the University of Applied Sciences (HTW), Berlin. She addressed the issue of fairness in machine learning models and introduced a Moodle plugin designed to audit the fairness of learning analytics models. This innovative approach enhanced trust in AI-integrated systems, ultimately benefiting learners.
Another captivating session was ‘Implementing the Moodle Roadmap Plug-in to Support Blended and Flipped Learning’ by Yan Shen and Stephen Bader from NC State University. They showcased a roadmap plugin designed to facilitate blended and flipped learning, offering instructors a visual structure for course organisation and students a clear path to track their progress.
Tore Høgås and Audun Jørstad Lillekjendlie from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, presented the topic of ‘AI-assisted QA of Moodle Translations’. They addressed the challenge of translation quality assurance. They presented a proof of concept for an AI-assisted translation QA tool, highlighting its potential to improve the quality of Moodle translations and streamline the revision process.
During the latter half of Day 3, the conference continued to be an enriching experience, with presentations that further exemplified the event’s focus on innovation and lifelong learning.
Two standout presentations from this part of the conference were ‘Moodle Workplace: Promoting Lifelong Learning for Government Employees’ by Michael Maloney of IBM and ‘An Introduction to AI Opportunities for Moodlers’ by Michelle Lomman from mylearningspace.
Michael Maloney’s talk shed light on the transformative power of Moodle Workplace, particularly in the context of government organisations embracing lifelong learning. His presentation emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to keep pace with advancements in information technologies and training methodologies.
Michelle Lomman’s session explored the intricate world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its relevance to Moodle users. She challenged attendees to critically examine their beliefs and biases surrounding AI, providing valuable insights on separating AI hype from reality. Her presentation offered a roadmap for educators and learners to navigate the AI landscape effectively and integrate it meaningfully into their Moodle-based educational experiences.
MoodleMoot Global 2023 came to an end, after three days packed with engaging presentations, networking opportunities, a music jam night, and the Moodle party! During the closing session, we announced the winner of the best ‘80s outfit and the award went to Yasuko Aoki and Chie Tsukamoto from e.learning, for their interpretation of the iconic characters, Mario and Luigi.
Reflecting on the event, we not only gained invaluable knowledge but our community also had a fantastic time forging new connections, and were deeply engaged throughout. We are also super excited to announce that MoodleMoot Global will return next year, and it will be held in Mexico!
Welcome to the final day of MoodleMoot Global 2023.
Today we start a little later to give us a chance for a bit of a sleep-in after last night’s party.
We begin with our keynote panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence hosted by Brett Dalton.
We’ll have a coffee break after our keynote panel – another chance to catch our poster presenters at the poster wall, located in the main catering area. Grab a drink and head over to speak to them about their work.
We then break into our sessions.
At 16:00 we’ll all come together for our closing session to officially mark the end of MoodleMoot Global 2023 where the winner of the best costume competition from last night’s Moodle Party will be announced. There will then be one last chance to enjoy a networking drink and say goodbye until next year.
Get ready for a last day filled with insightful sessions and educational workshops!
Before we get in to today’s daily update, a quick note to say that the Moodle Party will start at 20:30 tonight (not 20:00 as previously advertised.) We’ll see you at Otto Zutz club soon!
Day 2 of MoodleMoot Global 2023 was packed with plenty of moments that left attendees brimming with insights and ideas. From keynote sessions such as “Lifelong learning’s past, present, and future” to government initiatives to promote education and collaborative success stories, here’s a quick look at the key highlights of the day. And, of course, a little something special to cap it all off – the Moodle Party!
On Day 2 of MoodleMoot Global 2023, Abby Fry, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Moodle, greeted attendees. She introduced the key highlights of the day: a keynote by Rakhat Zholdoshalieva, an excellent lineup of workshops and presentations, and the upcoming 80s-themed Moodle Party at Otto Zutz Club.
Following Abby’s welcome note, Rakhat Zholdoshalieva, team leader for the Quality Learning Ecosystems Program at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, delivered her keynote on “Lifelong Learning: Past, Present, and Future.” Her engaging presentation took attendees on a journey through the evolution of lifelong learning, emphasising its historical significance and contemporary relevance.
Rakhat also provided valuable insights into the extensive efforts of the United Nations and UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in advancing lifelong learning. She shared the global goals and initiatives that underscore the importance of continuous education throughout one’s life. Moreover, Rakhat offered a glimpse into the future of the field, illustrating how it is poised to shape our educational landscapes for years to come.
Rakhat’s presentation provided a comprehensive exploration of lifelong learning as a vital educational concept.
During the presentation, Rakhat engaged the audience by posing a pivotal question: “Why is lifelong learning important now and in the future?” This question led to a spirited discussion amongst the audience, who shared their views on the relevance of lifelong learning in today’s global context.
Moreover, Rakhat connected lifelong learning to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. She pointed out the challenges in achieving this goal, addressing disparities in access to education, and managing limited financial resources amidst unpredictable natural disasters.
Rakhat’s presentation concluded with a call to action, urging individuals to contribute to the promotion of lifelong learning. She emphasised the importance of literacy and numeracy for all, as well as the role of citizens in advocating for increased investment in education and reducing reliance on the private sector.
Among the sessions held during the first half, Martin Dougiamas, the Founder of MoodleHQ, led an Open EdTech Innovation Workshop that was full of valuable ideas and innovative solutions. The workshop aimed to encourage attendees to think creatively about how to incorporate technology into education and to consider new ways to enhance the learning experience.
Aurélie Soulier, Community Engagement Lead at Moodle HQ, discussed the strength of a united community in an ever-evolving digital world. In her presentation, ‘Shaping the future of Moodle together: The power of community & collaboration’, she focused on the collective power of individual strengths that contribute in different ways such as translating language strings, developing plugins, supporting UX research, and co-designing courses on Moodle Academy. Aurélie stated that the Moodle community is where all individual efforts come together to build our LMS and other services globally.
She also explained what the future holds at Moodle in the context of community engagement. There will be several initiatives that will be aimed at expanding community roles in breaking down language and geographical barriers. This will also involve improving multi-lingual cross-language interactions to maximise the value of the community contributions.
In another thought-provoking session, Albina Bardhi from the Department of Product Development at Praktika.al presented about ‘Revolutionising vocational education through digital transformation’ with the MësoVET Project in Albania. She painted a picture of the critical issue of youth unemployment in Albania and the parallel problem faced by employers to locate qualified employees. These challenges brought to light the necessity for a transformative approach to vocational education, one that could better prepare students for the workforce while providing employers with skilled candidates.
Albina explained how Moodle helped address the challenges of unemployment in Albania. Source: Moodle.
In 2019, Praktika.al initiated the MësoVET project, a Moodle-based platform designed to address these challenges. Albina described how the project adopted a holistic approach by embracing Moodle Workplace. It created independent sites for each Vocational Education and Training (VET) school, with a primary focus on developing digital learning materials that would enhance the quality of education and provide students with the necessary digital skills for today’s job market.
Albina also stressed the importance of having digital literacy within VET schools. The support came from digital experts who helped teachers and students navigate the technical aspects of the Moodle-based platform. Their presence is crucial in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are maximised.
One of the highlights was definitely, ‘Moodle goes E-Gov’ delivered by Robert Schrenk from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research. The presentation underscored the Austrian government’s ambitious project to establish an inclusive educational portal, open to all individuals. A key objective of this endeavour is to eliminate distinctions between different school types, ensuring equitable access to educational resources. Notably, the Ministry of Education collaborates with various companies, enabling schools to choose their preferred products and services and customise their educational experiences. Moodle was adopted in schools dating back to 2001, backed by ongoing ministry support. The presentation also highlighted the collaborative efforts of teachers within the Moodle community, working collectively to enhance Moodle’s usability in Austria.
During the presentation, high school teachers Julia Lassnig and Sandra Janisch spoke about the pivotal role of eduvidual.at, Austria’s largest learning platform, in the educational ecosystem As part of the initiative, there is a dedicated effort to standardise the use of Moodle across all Austrian schools, fostering uniformity and collaboration. To illustrate the practical implications of these efforts, Julia and Sandra shared their firsthand experiences. They highlighted how the Austrian government’s support for Moodle has led to its widespread adoption in schools.
They mentioned how Moodle strikes a balance between institutional privacy and collaborative potential, allowing each institution to maintain its privacy while facilitating shared spaces for collaboration, exemplified by the platform’s data-sharing capabilities. Through the platform, educators can enrol students in courses across the system using enrolment codes, regardless of the students’ school affiliations. This innovative feature encourages cross-school collaboration, enabling an individual to enrol in courses from different schools. Additionally, the resource library was spotlighted as a valuable tool for educators, enabling them to publish courses as open educational resources, thereby facilitating sharing and collaboration among schools and educators, ultimately fostering a vibrant educational community.
The second half of Day 2 at MoodleMoot Global 2023 was marked by an array of captivating presentations and discussions, offering attendees a deeper understanding of Moodle’s evolving landscape. Several presentations stood out as they showcased how Moodle continues to adapt and thrive in various educational and professional contexts.
Dublin City University (DCU) shared its fascinating journey in upgrading to Moodle 4.1, highlighting the institution’s two-decade reliance on Moodle as a critical component of its educational infrastructure. In their presentation, ‘Eating an elephant’, they focused on DCU’s systematic six-phase approach, from securing senior management support to providing staff with training sessions for the new Moodle version, which served as a valuable lesson for others undertaking similar upgrades.
In another session, CEPOL, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training, took us through their journey in adopting Moodle Workplace as their Learning Management System (LMS), marking a significant departure from their conventional Moodle platform to embrace a corporate-focused solution known as LEEd, which stands for Law Enforcement Education LMS. CEPOL’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of LEEd, covering its technical underpinnings, robust security measures, and maintenance regimen. The agency’s unwavering commitment to elevating the user experience was apparent through the implementation of personalised plugins, an advanced search engine, and seamless website integration.
As an EU training agency with a long-standing history of collaboration with various law enforcement organisations since 2000, CEPOL opted for Moodle Workplace due to its alignment with European Union guidelines and standards. Moodle’s high degree of customisability, providing an accessible digital learning environment for international training, is perfectly suited to CEPOL’s requirements.
Also, Juan Leyva from Moodle HQ presented an insightful session on ‘Collaborative success: Working together to enhance the Moodle Mobile App.’ As mobile learning gains increasing relevance in today’s educational landscape, Juan Leyva shed light on how Moodle HQ is working closely with educators and administrators to enhance the Moodle Mobile App. The collaborative efforts aimed at making the mobile app more effective, user-friendly, and adaptable to the evolving needs of educators and learners.
Day 2 culminated in a series of engaging activities that not only facilitated networking but also celebrated the essence of the Moodle community. The evening kicked off with networking drinks from 17:15 pm to 18:15 pm, providing a casual yet valuable platform for attendees to connect and exchange insights.
Simultaneously, the RAMU Meeting, led by María Luisa Sein-Echaluce from the Universidad de Zaragoza, offered a structured forum for in-depth discussions and collaborations within the Moodle ecosystem. It was a prime opportunity to delve into Moodle-related matters and forge meaningful connections with like-minded professionals.
On Day 3 of MoodleMoot Global 2023, attendees can look forward to an exciting lineup of sessions and discussions. One of the highlights will be a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence hosted by Brett Dalton, promising insights into the evolving landscape of AI in education.
Linda Fernsel from the University of Applied Sciences (HTW) Berlin will present ‘In Fair Models We Trust’, introducing a plugin designed to audit Moodle Learning Analytics Models, shedding light on fairness in AI integration. Furthermore, Michael Maloney of IBM will explore Moodle Workplace in his presentation, focusing on how it promotes lifelong learning for government employees, offering valuable perspectives on leveraging technology for continuous education and skill development in the public sector.
Day 3 of MoodleMoot Global 2023 promises to deliver a day filled with stimulating conversations and fresh perspectives on the future of education and inclusive lifelong learning.
Today is the second day of MoodleMoot Global 2023 and the night of the Moodle party.
Get your ‘1980s’ theme costume ready, as there will be a ‘best-dressed’ competition and the lucky winner will receive a free ticket to next year’s Moot. Make sure you visit the registration desk at any time today to get your Moodle party wristband, which will be your ticket to the party.
The party is at Otto Zutz Club from 20:00 onwards. Check the website for more information and details on how to find your way there.
This morning in our keynote presentation we hear from Rakhat Zholdoshalieva from the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. Rakhat will address the concept of lifelong learning and consider its historical and current contexts, and share the UN and UNESCO’s work in this area and look at the global goals and initiatives and the envisioned future of Lifelong Learning.
During the morning and afternoon coffee breaks, our poster presenters will present their ideas at the poster wall, located in the main catering area. Grab a drink and head over to speak to them about their work.
After morning coffee we break into our sessions.
During lunch, more poster presentations will be given and you will have another opportunity to visit our sponsor stands. We’ll then break into our sessions again for the remainder of the afternoon.
We hope you enjoy the day!
Before we jump in to our wrap-up, a reminder for all attendees to collect your wristband for the Moodle Party at the event registration desk during the day on Wednesday.
We are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated event of the year, has kicked off with a great start. Day 1 was all about exploring the theme of this year’s MoodleMoot Global, ‘Lifelong learning’.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning’s handbook, ‘Making Lifelong Learning a Reality’, describes lifelong learning as a fusion of learning and life. It caters to individuals across all age groups, in diverse contexts, using a variety of methods to satisfy their educational needs. This UNESCO perspective serves as a cornerstone, guiding and influencing our discussions on lifelong learning within Moodle’s framework. It highlights the imperative of integrating learning seamlessly into every facet of life.
We not only engaged with like-minded educators, experts, and Moodlers from around the globe but also welcomed leading industry keynote speakers.
The event started with Marie Achour, Moodle Global Head of Product, who greeted everyone in her welcome speech. She gave us a glimpse of what was scheduled for the day, right from a fantastic speaker lineup to the highlights of the upcoming Moodle LMS 4.3 release.
Following the welcome speech, Moodle’s Founder, Martin Dougiamas, delivered his keynote on ‘Lifelong intelligence’ focusing on how artificial intelligence is changing education and the workplace.
During his presentation, Martin shared that the more we engage with AI, the more we will start appreciating the nuances of human education, voice, and intent. He emphasised the imperative of a balanced learning approach – one that leverages AI prowess but simultaneously champions the depth of human interaction in the educational realm.
He addressed the transformative impact of AI on the future of work and lifelong learning, emphasising how AI has the potential to replace human labour as it is cheaper, faster, and safer. Martin drew attention to the need for a more comprehensive and accessible education system. He focused on the importance of open-source solutions for trust and advocated for teaching people how to learn effectively in specific fields, as well as developing emotional intelligence and self-management skills.
After Martin’s presentation, we took a brief coffee break, offering an excellent chance for networking. We took this opportunity to snap a community photo to commemorate the moment.
The first half of Day 1 at MoodleMoot Global offered a rich tapestry of insights and discussions, spanning from the principles of open-source education to cutting-edge developments in AI and virtual classrooms.
One of the highlights was ‘Open Source? Open Platform? Open Standards?’ by Brett Dalton, Head of Education Solutions at Moodle HQ. He discussed the fundamentals of open platforms and open standards, emphasising the significance of collaboration and accessibility in digital learning. We also delved into the topic of ‘How AI and Analytics are shaping the future of virtual classrooms,‘ delivered by Fred Dixon, Co-Founder of BigBlueButton – a Moodle Certified Integration Partner. He showcased how AI can enhance virtual classes by promoting applied learning and how analytics can help educators assist students in their learning.
The day progressed with a thought-provoking exploration of AI-generated content and its implications for academic integrity, sparking discussions on the evolving landscape of educational technologies. Kate Bazilevskaya, Head of Partnerships for Tiny, delivered a presentation on ‘The UX Dilemmas of Generative AI’. She delved into the challenges of user experience (UX) within the realm of generative AI. Kate shed light on the intricate dilemmas that educators and designers grapple with when striving to develop seamless and user-friendly interfaces.
The second half of Day 1 featured a dynamic array of presentations that left a lasting impact on the community. A presentation on the ‘Evoke Game in Moodle’ by Willian Mano Araujo, showcased the outcomes from the World Bank’s Evoke project. The project’s primary goal is to address both global and local challenges through innovative means, such as using AI-generated content.
During the presentation, Willian highlighted the incorporation of game mechanics, which adds an engaging layer, with avatars, badges, and coins as rewards for completing assignments and developing skills.
Another standout session highlighted gender dynamics in the EdTech sector with ‘Women in (Ed)Tech’, focusing on the challenges faced by women and advocating for gender equality. In their presentation, Amaia Anabitarte and Sara Arjona from Moodle HQ focused on real experiences of women in (Ed)Tech and shared anecdotes about female-founded startups and the gender ratio in open source contributors. The session encouraged several women in the audience to come forward with their stories.
Day 1 concluded on an exciting note! Firstly, the networking drinks provided everyone with a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere to connect and network. It was a fantastic opportunity for Moodlers from around the world to come together, share experiences, and build valuable connections.
Following the networking drinks, the evening continued with a lively “Music Jam Night.” This inclusive and friendly gathering welcomed individuals of all skill levels to explore the joy of making music together. We had the chance to join in and experience the thrill of performing on stage at Jamboree, in Barcelona. The night was a celebration of global culture and camaraderie, ensuring that everyone who took the stage received the well-deserved applause from their fellow Moodlers.
As we wrap up Day 1, we’re eagerly looking forward to Day 2, where more engaging sessions await. Rakhat Zholdoshalieva, representing the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, will delve into the concept of lifelong learning, tracing its historical origins and relevance in contemporary times.
Aurelie Soulier, Community Engagement Lead at Moodle, will present on the collaborative power of the Moodle community in our ever-evolving digital and physical landscape. This talk will reveal how united Moodle community members can collectively contribute their unique strengths to enrich the Moodle platform.
Last but not least, Day 2 will culminate in an exciting ’80s-themed Moodle Party! The evening will see all Moodlers donning their best ’80s attire for a costume competition, with enticing awards awaiting the winner.
See you on Day 2!
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