Our current LMS is Blackboard, - I want to pilot Moodle on a limited basis. Let me share my naivete ... is it possible to simply download Moodle to my notebook and experiment w/ Moodle's functionality, or do I need to download to a server? Thanks.
In short, yes, it is certainly doable and done.
In long, you need to get a web server (like Apache), PHP, and a database (like MySQL) running on your computer before you install Moodle. There are turnkey solutions for certain systems exactly for such a purpose. If you don't want to mess up your computer, you can use virtualization software to run Moodle for testing.
On the other hand, Moodle.org has a sandbox server for playing as a teacher and even as an admin, so to just get a feeling for Moodle, you don't need to run your own setup. Furthermore, many providers over automagic installation of Moodle through cPanel, for example. It may be worth paying $6-$10 to get such a service for a month or two to experiment.
In long, you need to get a web server (like Apache), PHP, and a database (like MySQL) running on your computer before you install Moodle. There are turnkey solutions for certain systems exactly for such a purpose. If you don't want to mess up your computer, you can use virtualization software to run Moodle for testing.
On the other hand, Moodle.org has a sandbox server for playing as a teacher and even as an admin, so to just get a feeling for Moodle, you don't need to run your own setup. Furthermore, many providers over automagic installation of Moodle through cPanel, for example. It may be worth paying $6-$10 to get such a service for a month or two to experiment.
> Moodle.org has a sandbox server for playing as a teacher and even as an admin,
Do you mean http://demo.moodle.org/ ? It says "The database and files are erased and restored to a clean state every hour on the hour, .."!
Do you mean http://demo.moodle.org/ ? It says "The database and files are erased and restored to a clean state every hour on the hour, .."!
Yes, this demo site is a sandbox. You play any way you want. If you mess up, it does not matter.
Beside the the sandbox on Moodle.org there is also at least one hosting company that offers a free Moodle install that is funded by ads being displayed. Its called Ninehub.
I would recommend downloading and installing the local pack to your local machine (if you are just looking at it yourself, not sharing with other users).
http://download.moodle.org/windows/
or
http://download.moodle.org/macosx/
These packages are not really recommended for production use, however. But they are very useful for testing, building themes, etc.
atw
http://download.moodle.org/windows/
or
http://download.moodle.org/macosx/
These packages are not really recommended for production use, however. But they are very useful for testing, building themes, etc.
atw
Lambda Solutions offers free 1 month hosting so you can sign up and try it out risk free for 30 days
If you use one of the Windows packages it really is that easy. Being a developer, I normally have to install copies of Moodle manually. Last week I needed to check some instructions we were about to send out, and that involved using the Windows package, and I was impressed at how easy it was. Complete instructions for using the packages here: Complete_install_packages_for_Windows.