Project Status

As at 13 July 2012

1. Moodle 2.2 was commissioned on 20 June 2012 as the Study Desk for Semester 2. After completing the migration of 670 Courses from the Moodle 1.9 version of USQStudyDesk, Moodle 2.2 was released to students on time on 2 July.

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2.  The 1027 students in the Semester 1 Trial of 5 Courses were asked to complete a survey on the new features of Moodle 2 and their experience with USQStudyDesk. Responses to date are positive and the open ended questions provide interesting information.

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3. Preparation work went well for the switch to Moodle 2 in Semester 2. Out of 670 Courses, 254 requests were completed for prior offer copies to an S2 Course in Moodle 1.9.

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4. For Courses where they prepare content, Learning Resources Development and Support (LRDS) were able to upload content into Moodle 1.9 for 283 of the 390 (73%) Courses by the start of Course migration. These were taken across to Moodle 2.2 during the migration, with subsequent content delivered directly into Moodle 2.2.

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5. Note that the Export to StudyDesk button in ICE has been disabled as it does not work with Moodle 2. An equivalent function will be built to export ICE directly into the Equella digital repository. For Moodle for Semester 2, the ICE Export locally function can be used and then manually upload the zip as a File Resource to the StudyDesk Course.

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6. A decision was made to swap the Moodle system to the PostgreSQL database. Moving now to the Postgres database avoids a more involved and risky data conversion later on. With the anticipated benefits of much better performance and natural fit to Moodle, setting up Moodle 2 on Postgres was rapidly progressed. ICT were very helpful and committed in making this happen. Interim, repurposed but capable hardware is being used for the Moodle 2.2 Test and Production systems.

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7. All Faculty roadshows were delivered, and 3 video updates provided to all staff by Michael Sankey. Student Management Division and ICT training are working on resources to raise student awareness that the Moodle software has changed.

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8.  ICT commenced Moodle 2 Training 21 May. The training was well received and reached a wide audience. By the end of June over 320 staff had registered to attend at 3 campuses, with 263 having actually attended, 192 in Toowoomba. Just over half of the total academic staff. Face to face training is complimented by online modules accessible to all staff.
   

As at 5 April 2012

1. In Semester 3 2011 we did a successful live trial of Moodle 2.1 with 5 Courses involving 660 students. Semester 1 2012 we are doing a trial in Moodle version 2.2 of 5 Courses. 1070 students are involved.

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2. A Moodle 2.2 version of MyStaffDesk has been prepared. . Migration of USQSafe training, experimental Courses, and Community of Practice sites will progress over the coming months. Moodle 2 MyStaffDesk will be the platform for ICT training starting in May 2012, and where academics can try out Moodle 2 and develop Moodle 2 Courses.

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3. Early this year a scope change was approved for the Project to deliver an integrated USQStudyDesk environment which minimises risk, enhances acceptance and provides the required learning technologies. The key project alterations are:
   
   
   • Implementing Equella as the digital repository for USQStudyDesk content. Installation, configuration and integration of Equella is in its early stages. A license for Equella has been purchased, new hardware ordered, and a configuration planning workshop held with the Equella vendor.
     Moodle 2.2 will be used for all Courses starting from Semester 2 Courses. We are aiming to migrate all Semester 2 learning resources into Equella, with files remaining in the upgraded Moodle 2.2 system if this can’t be accomplished without issue or in time for some Courses.
     There are some important reasons why we moving learning resources into a digital repository.
     We are still working on the process for academic staff to manage learning resources in Equella, with an emphasis on simplicity and ease of use. As soon as we have something to look at, the Project will be showing the University community how Equella will work;
   • Implementing and integrating a virtual classroom tool with Moodle 2, to replace Wimba which is a discontinued product. Our current Wimba service has being extended to allow Semester 1, and possibly Semester 2 use, until an alternate solution is procured and implemented;
   • The ‘go live’ target date for an integrated Moodle 2.2 is Semester 2 2012

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4. Finalisation of an appropriate screen layout and presentation for Moodle 2. Benchmarking, web design consultation, and usability testing have been conducted. Broad consultation is underway. Discussions have involved LTS, ICT and Faculty staff. Course design discussions are underway in Faculties. The proposed interface was approved in principal by the March Project Board meeting. It is very similar to the current USQStudyDesk, and will be shown off in Roadshows, Forums and Training starting in May.

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5. Project staff are engaged with the SMD staff preparing the mobile strategy for USQ. Moodle 2.2 has a built-in mobile theme, yet to be branded and styled.

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6. We are participating with a number of other Australian universities in the Electronic Assignment Management functionality for Moodle 2.3. An LSS staff member is assisting with review and testing of the new version’s function, which is being developed by a commercial organisation in Adelaide.

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7. The Project is assisting ADFI and Open Access College staff with a pilot of ‘Satellite Moodle‘ at the South Queensland Correctional Centre. An ‘encapsulated’ Moodle is being prepared for the pilot aimed for Semester 2.