Repositories

Hi Jez,

We just got our link to Alfresco working (Moodle 2.0) thanks to the patch on http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-23951 which restores the "missing link" (option to link to an external file).  You can now do this from any HTML content box in any resource using the Insert Link option.  You can insert a link to a doc in ALfresco from different courses, change the file via Alfresco, and the files are updated in all courses in Moodle.  There is no copy of the file stored in any Moodle data directory.

We have yet to work on permissions, authentication, directory structures, etc. but this was a huge hurlde that we had to get past first.  We've also gotten some positive feedback about the Alfresco front-end.

Looking forward to hearing what others are doing.

HarvestRoad Hive - now owned by eXact learning solutions - has had an integration with Moodle 1.9 for a number of years but the plug-in framework that's part of Moodle 2.0 certainly makes the integration much more slick.

There's single sign-on authentication between Moodle and Hive ensuring that Hive content can only be created and accessed if you have the right Hive permissions. Browsing for content is performed through Hive's category structure, and searching uses Hive's search engine. Changes to the content inside Hive are automatically reflected in all the Moodle courses where the link is used, and you can manage the change process through Hive's workflow module.

One of Hive's partners has also developed a "content bridge" that will migrate course data out of the Moodle file system and into the Hive repository. The process is invisible to students but when the data is in Hive you've got much more power and flexibility over the way that you use it.  I think it will also migrate content into Moodle from other LMSs too, but I haven't tried that myself.

Jez,

You raise a critical question at a critical time!  After looking at the new GUI file picker and resource processor interfaces that Moodle 2.0 provides I think it is a critical and invaluable time to talk about what an electronic file or "learning object" repository is and what it could do for Moodle.  Indeed if I understand the descriptions of the new Moodle 2.0 file tool it essentially is a DB repository with a very rudimentary input interface.

If Moodle 2.0 is going the way of a more intelligent repository for learning objects I say why not look at systems like Equella, Alfresco, etc with fully developed, mature tools for building/maintaining our Moodle resources?

I have personally been given a very good walk through of Equella and can share what I REALLY liked about it.  It has a completely customizable front end that can be configured to adopt to pretty much ANY learning object work flow you might want.  For instance you could create/organize input screens to track copyright status, learning objective links, ADA 503 compliance, and even allow for multiple level approvals. You can customize any fields you want to be added to help track and manage an learning asset.  The reporting based on your meta data is very complete.  Equella had a Moodle 1.9 plugin that let you "browse objects" to add from inside Moodle.  My initial view was very impressive.

My point is that if we are working to get a repository for Moodle 2.0 let's consider tools that are very mature and offer a complete set of tools to manage our assets. Big caveat here....IF THE OTHER TOOLS ARE AFFORDABLE AND TECHNICALLY PRACTICAL TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN.  This is a BIG if, but that said Equella's tools are an extremely tempting set of tools.

As much as I love Moodle, the new file picker tool is very much a "work in progress" that has me very concerned about how I migrate existing 1.9 files into it and even how I go about training people to understand WHERE their Moodle 2.0 learning assets are...or the best place to keep them.

Does anyone know if Equella has a 2.0 plugin LIKE the 1.9 plugin?   I am going to try to find out.

Mark H.