Moodle Version 3.9 is finally here! It comes with a bunch of new amazing features and a more streamlined user experience. Want to know how to get the most out of the new update? Just read on!
With this update Moodle has improved the platform’s accessibility, making it more interactive and immersive for the user. The core new features included in this release are:
- New Activity Chooser
- Deeper H5P Integration
- Participant Filtering
- Copy Courses
- Safe Exam Browser
- Improved Analytics
Activity chooser
After an accessibility audit, one of the main area’s Moodle found it needed to improve was the Activity chooser. Prior to 3.9 it was just a long list, which the user would have to continually scroll through to find what they were looking for.
Now it looks like this!
No more scrolling and all the items come with an identifiable icon. Users now have the ability to “Star” an activity or resource they find useful, or are using often. They are then placed in the “Starred” tab.
Administrators are now able to recommend activities or resources to other users, which will show up in the “Recommended” tab.
Deeper H5P Integration
In Moodle 3.8 came the ability to integrate H5P content into the platform. H5P (HTML 5 Package) is an authoring tool that allows you to make your eLearning content more interactive through interactive quizzes, Active Learning activities and much more.
Now with Moodle 3.9 you can build H5P inside the Moodle Platform, and link these activities to grade items. H5P is now selectable in the new Activity Chooser. Still, you will have had to create the activity before you start creating your course. Once you have created an H5P activity, it will be stored in your Content Library for you to easily find later.
If you have already been creating with H5P through the plugin available in 3.8, we recommend you backup all your files before upgrading to ensure nothing gets lost!
Participant Filtering
Improved filtering functions now allow you to add multiple conditions to a filter set, allowing you to find even more specific learner categories. The search page itself has also been updated, meaning your results should load faster. This feature gives more power to allow you to search through large bodies of students to find specific groups.
Copy Courses
This amazing feature allows you to create a complete copy of one of your courses. This will be extremely helpful for designers creating multiple courses that only need small changes or edits. It will also assist in backing up or restoring courses.
To copy your course simply go to the “Course and Category Management” tab, and select the copy icon on the course you wish to duplicate!
Safe Exam Browser
This feature has been built to restrict user functions when they are taking certain activities, like a closed book exam. With this, you will be able to block websites, or even block learners from using copy and paste!
Improved Analytics
Moodle 3.9 now allows administrators to view and report on whether a student has accessed a course recently or at all. This can be extra helpful for assisting students with a reminder or link to the course in time for exams!
This newest iteration of Moodle might be it’s largest one yet, and it is here for the long term, with Moodle stating it will be offering support on this version for the next 3 years.
If you have any further questions or are so excited about Moodle 3.9 that you want to upgrade right now, don’t hesitate to contact us!
