Basic version of Moodle

Basic version of Moodle

by Rakesh Jaware -
Number of replies: 4

Hello Folks,

I am a new Moodle user having very less knowledge about the usage of admin Panel of Moodle and its various options. So do we have any Basic version of Moodle available where there will be only crucial options as far as the Admin part is concerned because currently there are numerous options and settings are there at Moodle Administration. These multiple options make new admin user little confused about the usage and it's difficult to manage with such a large set of settings.

So is there any Basic version of moodle available which gives the Admin a very basic options/settings.

Please let me know if it's there OR there is any chance to hide/remove the options from Admin Panel in current version of Moodle.


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In reply to Rakesh Jaware

Re: Basic version of Moodle

by Mary Cooch -
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Hello
I am going to move your post to the General help forum as it's not really a developer issue. I understand and agree that the Moodle interface is complex, although I am not sure there is a simplified version. However, here is a link to some Admin Basics videos tinyurl.com/learnmoodlebeginneradmin (more videos coming shortly) and to our documentation Admin quick guide
In reply to Mary Cooch

Re: Basic version of Moodle

by Marcus Green -
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I second everything Mary has said. However, have you tried the built in search facility. I am an experienced Moodle admin but I use search all the time and find it very useful.
In reply to Mary Cooch

Re: Basic version of Moodle

by Rick Jerz -
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Hmmm, why not just never click on Site Administration. This means that you will not be able to adjust anything, which is very basic. smile

Actually, some other LMSs are more basic, period!  In those other LMSs, some instructor's desire more features, but are told that their needs are not basic, and that the LMS doesn't provide those feature because it is trying to cater to the "basic" user.

The real problem is that there is no definition of a "basic user."  

Yes, I know that my answer is not what you were seeking.  I am just trying to portray the nature of the problem.  Moodle is the most feature-packed, and most advanced LMS.  However, yes, many features and options to learn.

However, I can also add some constructive comments.
1) Moodle is pretty good, right out of the box!
2) Here on moodle.org, you can get a lot of help as you learn about features, just as you have done.
3) The Moodle docs are quite good.  Also, in your Moodle, you should notice a link on the bottom for "Moodle docs for this page," and you should notice that many settings have a little question mark (?) next to them.  When I was new to Moodle, these "?" really helped.  In some other LMS, these features do not exist.

In reply to Rakesh Jaware

Re: Basic version of Moodle

by Colin Fraser -
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Hi Rakesh, to answer your question, no there is no "basic Moodle" unless you call what is directly out of the box the basic edition. 

While the answers you already have cover the main issues, they miss two fundamental points, I suggest. We forget sometimes that when we started, certainly with me, Moodle was a awful lot simpler to learn and use. 

Moodle has had to grow over the last 19 years, and with that growth comes an increased complexity in use, tools, security and therefore administration. In response, or perhaps as an adjunct to, that increasing complexity, Mary has pointed out the ready availability of videos and MoodleDocs to cover the essential admin concepts and some guides. 
 
The other issue we usually overlook is that the environment in which Moodle runs had also undergone similar transformations. There is much more to learn about setting up and running not just the Moodle but the entire environment, making sure it all plays nicely together. In turn, this also impacts on the Moodle, taking advantage of newer technologies, like mobile Moodles and I am sure others will come along, like Moodle on a smart watch for example.

The only advice that can really be given here is to build a test site then sit and play with it. Break it, if you can, reinstall it, fix something, add something, take something out. See what happens. In the meantime, just keep your production site running in the out of the box mode, it should pretty well run on its own with a minimum of fuss, as along as you don't change anything. You can pick up on the basics pretty quickly, and make sure you test everything on your test site before you do anything on your production site.
Good luck.
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