Glossary Search Block (block_glossarysearch)

A modern, lightweight Moodle block for searching glossary entries directly from a block region.
Results are displayed inside the block with keyword highlighting, paging, and a responsive card layout.

Features

• Modern card design with Mustache templating
• Search form and results inside the block, full width, mobile-friendly
• Search by keyword across concepts and definitions
• Works across all glossaries in a course, or restrict to one glossary in settings
• Match highlighting with <mark>
• Paging (10 results per page)
• Per-instance custom title
• No custom database tables required, no install.xml needed
• Portable: search uses only SQL LIKE (no regex/DB-specific quirks)

Requirements

• Moodle 4.5 (tested on 5.1)
• PHP 8.1 / 8.2
• Tested with the Boost theme

Installation

1. Copy the folder to: blocks/glossarysearch/
2. Log in as admin → Site administration → Notifications to complete installation.
3. In a course: Turn editing on → Add a block → Glossary search.
4. (Optional) Configure the block: set a custom title or restrict to one glossary.

Usage

• Type a search term in the input box and press Search.
• Results appear as a list (concept, definition, glossary name).
• Matches are highlighted; a paging bar appears if there are more than 10 results.

Capabilities

• block/glossarysearch:addinstance — add to course pages (default: teachers & managers)
• block/glossarysearch:myaddinstance — add to Dashboard (default: all users)

Notes

• Only approved glossary entries are searched.
• On the Dashboard/front page, the block must be configured to use a specific glossary or be placed inside a course.
• The search is portable for all databases (LIKE only, no regex).
• For very large glossaries, consider Moodle Global Search (Solr).

Accessibility

• Form controls have proper labels.
• Highlights use <mark>, which is screen-reader friendly.

Privacy

This plugin stores no personal data. It only displays glossary entries the user already has permission to view.

Changelog (Key Changes)

• Complete redesign: modern card layout, responsive, Mustache template
• Results list is full width, improved spacing and readability
• Only portable LIKE search, no regex/DB-specific quirks
• Modernized CSS and UX, linter issues fixed
• Code cleaned up and documented

Maintainer

Currently maintained by Sadik Mert (Fork & Rewrite, 2025) Original version: Alan Chadwick (Moodle Forum, 2025)

License

GPL v3 or later — see the LICENSE file for details.