Moodle in English: Reviving the iMoot

Reviving the iMoot

by Ravi Murugesan - Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 6:47 PM

I believe the iMoot (fully online Moodle conference) ran from 2014 to 2017 or 2018. The combination of BigBlueButton for the live talk along with a Moodle space to host any related activities was brilliant. I was a presenter in 2015 and 2016, and I valued those opportunities as I rarely get to go to physical conferences.

Has the iMoot been consigned to history? That would be a shame as it was really a conference, not just a bunch of one-way video presentations. I don't mean to sound trite, but shouldn't it mean something that the iMoot was also eco-friendly? The academic world now seems to be waking up to the environmental impact of air travel. For example, see this piece published in Nature last week: Seven steps to make travel to scientific conferences more sustainable. Maybe it's the Greta Thunberg effect.

Who else thinks it might be worth reviving the iMoot?

Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Melanie Scott - Thursday, September 26, 2019, 1:54 AM

I attended the iMoot and thought it was great. I was sad when it disappeared. I was just thinking about this the other day. Nice to know others feel the same.

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Randy Thornton - Thursday, September 26, 2019, 6:55 AM

Agree with Melanie on this. I enjoyed it and thought it was valuable. It didn't always happen at the dates and times when I was available to watch, but recordings where available after the fact on BBB. As I recall it was managed and hosted by Pukunui in Australia.

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Ravi Murugesan - Thursday, September 26, 2019, 5:09 PM

I think one reason for the growth of MoodleMoots is that Moodle HQ is behind many of them. I wonder if HQ can take over running the iMoot. It's probably been considered, but why hasn't it happened?

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Sunday, September 29, 2019, 4:45 PM

Yes, MoodleMoots have gathered momentum in the recent years, and always quality presentations. See the vidoes from MoodleMoot Australia 2019:

I get the feeling that Moodle is also winning in acceptance. May be there is no direct connection, either way are good news.

But in the medium term, say five years, mass scale air travel will not be feasible. The global warming is happening in front of our eyes. A revival of iMoot will be a good thing for all the parties involved. But for its success, it must come under the umbrella of Moodle HQ. From the numbers and the quality of our community, that part should not be a problem. Then there is an administrative and logistics parts, which are simply too much for individuals. I am sure Moodle HQ is listening!

@Ravi, talking of community participation I saw some resources, ample proof of your experience. Hint, hint, ...

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Mary Cooch - Sunday, September 29, 2019, 5:31 PM

Just popping in to say I have forwarded this thread to the moot organisation team- who knows - one day? Personally I like the idea, although I also like meeting up with people in person.

Average of ratings: Coolest thing ever! (2)

Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Sunday, September 29, 2019, 8:42 PM

Mary, thanks! (I knew. ;)

It would be nice to hear the opinion of others.

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Thursday, September 26, 2019, 4:26 PM

Yes, climate is an issue. I highly encourage shifting to remote events.

Talking of remote, am I the only one who finds physical gatherings to promote a remote learning tool somewhat a paradox?

Average of ratings: Very cool (1)

Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 12:45 PM

I don't have to bring in climate change, you all know it too well. But I thought the "geek" version of it will interest you, which incidentally appeared just yesterday:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/19/09/29/1644230/we-cant-end-climate-change-without-changing-our-eating-habits

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Martin Dougiamas - Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 1:19 PM

I stopped eating meat almost three years ago for precisely these reasons, and for the reasons I must recommend everyone does the same.

If you think you'll miss the experience of meat (like I do!) the plant-based "fake meats" are getting pretty amazing now.

Doesn't have to be a big deal - just take it one meal at a time to reduce meat and see how it goes.

Average of ratings: Very cool (1)

Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Marcus Green - Thursday, October 3, 2019, 4:50 AM

In the 90's I used to eat my lunch at a Veggie restaurant in Sydney called Meals without Squeals.

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Tuesday, October 8, 2019, 5:34 AM

So the current question is, https://science.slashdot.org/story/19/10/07/1842225/can-vegetarianism-stop-climate-change ?

Back to the topic, I wonder how much pilgrims to conferences and similar events world-wide impact the climate.

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Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Visvanath Ratnaweera - Thursday, October 3, 2019, 2:20 PM

Some background information:
Here is the iMoot Hub. The iMoot is an event bringing together the Moodle community around the world. Presentations and discussions usually focus on the Moodle LMS including other extensions, plugins and third party software that integrates with Moodle. Since the iMoot17 Mini Moot was cancelled no new iMoots were planned. Many recordings are still available in the Pukunui YouTubu channel.

Apart from being climate friendly, there is another big plus in this. The platform used for the iMoots is Moodle! So the participants also learn by example the feasibility of Moodle as a conference platform!

Average of ratings: Very cool (1)

Re: Reviving the iMoot

by Bob Martens - Saturday, November 9, 2019, 1:47 AM

I'd love to see this come back as well. Thanks!

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Reviving the iMoot