What I liked about the new "Joule" platform is that it integrates so much of the good third party plugins and options that do not come with standard Moodle. For example:
- e-portfolios
- rubric-builder
- repository of learning objects
- institutional reports
- student information databank
- outcome-based student evaluations
- plaguerism checker
- web conferencing
- much more
I am also curious to know how this affects the direction of Moodle and the emerging economics of the Moodle ecosystem. Presently, my university uses Moodle and spends funds on its hardware, building custom modules (Sharing Cart, for example), ordering content for TOEIC tests, and installing a video-recording tool (Webswami). We also contribute to the Moodle Community by donating our plugins for free GPL distribution. So the economics are mix of open/free and commercial/paid. Now I am wondering how "Joule" relates to the open source Moodle standard release. Is it a simply how to get Moodle 2.0 now within a 1.9 core? My other questions concerning 'Joule" are:
- How much does cost? Is it available internationally?
- Which parts could I build myself from contributed downloads?
- Do Joule customers contribute their own custom modules to Joule?
- Which parts will Moodle 2.0 cover?
- Which parts will Moodle standard never cover?
- Will we see evolving a Moodle Bronze, Silver and Gold package? Some free, some paid?