We are currently using Moodle 2.7 and will be upgrading to 2.8 next week. I know that we can view and annotate PDF docs inline in Moodle, but I was wondering if there was a way to do this with Word 2013 documents. I had found an old plugin that allows you to do this with Word 2007 docs, but I didn't see an update for this. I'd rather not have the professors go to a different site to view and annotate these documents. I know that other LMS's such as Canvas have that capability, so it seems that Moodle would as well. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Hello and apologies for the late reply. If you have Office 365 I understand there are plugins that add MS functionality to Moodle -there is more information here
I haven't used them myself but when I have got students to annotate Word documents or work collaboratively on a Word document I have just added its online link into a Moodle course (as with Google docs) and sent them to the course to access the document there. Not technically what you want I think but it works. Likewise students share the link to their Word doc with their teacher within an assignment so the teacher can access the doc to annotate it and then add the grade in the Moodle assignment.
Would you be able to give details of the old plugin for Word 2007 and also do you have any links showing how Canvas can do this- I'd be interested to know.
Hi Mary,
Sorry I wasn't able to get back right away.
I personally do not run Canvas, but I have seen screenshots from professors demonstrating this and asking me if I can set that up in Moodle. Here is also a link summarizing the feature: http://www.canvaslms.com/news/press-releases/speedgrader-enables-teachers-to-work-with-assignments-in-the-browser
Here is the link that I had found regarding the Office ad-on:
http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-creates-office-plug-in-for-moodle/
Thanks for your help!
Hi Wendy,
Is your Moodle using HTTPS? If so, you can use https://owncloud.org/ as a Moodle repository. See: http://www.moodlenews.com/2013/owncloud-as-an-open-source-repository-for-moodle/
With ownCloud set up in Moodle, users can then connect to Moodle via https://www.libreoffice.org/ and simultaneously edit the same documents (real-time collaborative document editing). Here's a demo video:
The advantage of using ownCloud is that it's free and open source, like Moodle, and so you can maintain your learners' and teachers' privacy as well as having administrator access in case of disputes, complaints, grievances, malpractice, etc.
The advantage of using LibreOffice is that it's free and open source (too), as well as being compatible with all the common office file formats, including Microsoft .doc and .docx (and Excel, Access, PPT, etc.). Therefore, there's no prerequisite and possibly extra cost for learners or teachers to buy/own/use copies of Microsoft Windows (or OS X) or Microsoft Office.
The advantage of connecting desktop office software to edit the documents on the server is that you get the full range of features, functionality, and extensions, plugins, and templates of office software, unlike the limited Javascript versions that Microsoft 360 and Google Docs offer in web-browsers.
If you don't have HTTPS on your Moodle server, you can use a 3rd party ownCloud hosting service instead, e.g. https://owncloud.com/ A similar service to Moodle partners.
I hope this helps!
BTW, do any Moodle partners offer Moodle + ownCloud?
You're welcome Wendy,
There's also this in the pipeline (not out just yet) for an entirely online, browser-based option. Hopefully, it'll also allow LibreOffice desktop software to connect and edit documents, i.e. not just browser-based:
Q&A about LibreOffice Online: https://libreoffice-from-collabora.com/libreoffice-online-questions-answered/