There are few prerequisites before we can upgrade to the latest version. We need to ensure that the database, moodle data and moodle core code are backed up. Dump the backed up data into a test server or a local system which is a mirror of the production server. Ensure that the moodle version is same. Now that we have a fully functioning moodle instance let’s start the upgrade.
Let’s say you have an instance of moodle version 1.9.11 which needs to be upgraded to the version 2.2.3. We have to now upgrade the moodle 1.9.11 to latest 1.9.18 if you have a latest version of moodle 1.9 instance there is no need to do that.
You cannot update 1.9.11 to 2.2.3 because you will face errors that will be hard to understand let alone fix them.
Step 1
Before we replace the core code with latest moodle code, login as admin into the moodle instance & select a default theme. If you are using a default theme but made custom changes to it, its better you select another default theme.
Step 2
Replace the core code with the latest version of moodle 1.9 & refresh the moodle page in the browser. Moodle will automatically upgrade itself to the newer version.
If you are worried about the all the custom code that has been written in the moodle instance, well you should be as you have to write the custom code again as the core functionality has been upgraded. Though the writing of the new custom code will much easier & simpler coz the moodle developers have really worked hard to make it less .
Do check for any errors or bugs in your instance, if any resolve them & then go ahead for further upgradation. By replacing the core code with latest moodle 2.0 version.
This part will be a bit frustrating as you have to lots of modifications to do in the database as well as in the code.
On replacing the code & refreshing the browser page you will get come to plugins upgrade page. Remember to remove all the blocks/plugins which are shown as non-standard. They are the ones that are not compatible with 2.0. Though you may think these are important for your students & teachers they have to be simply deleted from the core code. There should be moodle 2.0 version blocks/plugins if they are very popular.
Step 3
The next page that you will see is an error “Moodle Upgrade Error - : Illegal mix of collations (utf8_unicode_ci,IMPLICIT) and (utf8_general_ci,IMPLICIT)” on clicking upgrade button. Don’t get panic as this can solved very easily. You need open the database of the current moodle & open the structure of the tables mentioned in the error, there can be more than two in some cases. Just compare the table columns with each other & check whether the collation are same in every table, If not make them similar my making taking the necessary steps.
You have to repeat the same till you do not solve the errors.
After this is done all you need to do is sit back relax & have a cup of coffee as moodle upgrades itself from 1.9 to 2.0.
On the other hand you can download the latest versions of moodle 2.1 & 2.2. At the end of the upgrade you will see new settings page where you can change the configurations as per your need or you can just click save at the end of the page.
Wow! Give yourself a pat on the back on completing the upgrade.
Step 4
The difficult part is now over all you have to now do is replace the moodle 2.0 core code with moodle 2.1, complete the upgradation which will need another round of coffee :)
Just fill the upgradation settings and save which will complete the process.
Now, replace the moodle core code with 2.2, refresh the moodle page click few buttons and the moodle code will be upgraded to 2.2.
Now carefully fill in the upgradation settings form and that’s it you are good to go. :)
You will be having all the courses, user details, files all of them organized as it was in your previous moodle version.
Install the blocks/plugins if any that you as per your need and teachers & students can start working on new moodle version without losing any data or files.
Although the teachers & students would require some basic training which can be found here.
I would like to point out few things that will help us understand on Why should we use moodle.First of all Moodle is like most learning management systems, containing essential tools like discussion forums, quizzes, wikis and file sharing, but it also contains much more than this One of the key strengths of Moodle is its flexibility. It is modular in nature and can therefore be extended to include extra features relatively easily. Want your Moodle to produce podcasts? There's a module for that. Want it to turn a quiz into a 'Who wants to be a millionaire' game? There's a module for that. In fact, there are over 600 additional modules for Moodle here. And because Moodle is open source, these modules are all free for anyone to download and use as often as they like.
Its freeeee!
Unlike Blackboard and WebCT, Moodle can be downloaded freely in its official site, moodle.org. Since it is an open source software, its development is revolutionary rather than evolutionary. Programmers, developers, and users around the world are working gratis towards the improvement of Moodle. Unlike other freewares, Moodle offers full functionality, 24/7 support in moodle.org forums, and simply best value for money because it is free.
“When designing Moodle, I wanted a set of values that could act as a compass:
- All of us are potential teachers as well as learners - in a true collaborative environment we are both.
- We learn particularly well from the act of creating or expressing something for others to see.
- We learn a lot by just observing the activity of our peers.
- By understanding the contexts of others, we can teach in a more transformational way (constructivism)
- A learning environment needs to be flexible and adaptable, so that it can quickly respond to the needs of the participants within it.
(Martin Dougiamas)”
Moodle is Easy to Use
Moodle is divided into courses, and you can have as many as you like. Within these courses tutors can share resources and set up activities. Students can read those resources and take part in the activities. Both tutors and students can communicate with each other all within their course.
Whether you are an administrator, educator or learner, you will find Moodle easy to use due to its graphical user interface which we are all familiar with. For example, you can include like a quiz in a given topic by choosing from the list of activities under the activity menu. Not to mention the icons specifically created to understand better the nuances of course creation under the Moodle environment. The eye icon hides and unhides a particular resource or activity. The up icon moves a resource or activity within the lesson up. It means you don't have to be a programmer in order for you to use it but you need to invest some time in order for you to familiarize and get the hang of navigating yourself in the Moodle environment.
Moodle is Intuitive
Due to its ease of use, many of its functions are geared toward student learning thus Moodle was designed with educators in mind. With the vast array of options to enhance learning, teachers find it very helpful. As for me, Moodle helped in a way to bridge the content gap in my class. I realized that no matter how i taught in class a particular lesson I find myself asking if what I have gave them is sufficient. Moodle's intuitive features like resource and activity pull down list makes course creation a breeze. Let us not forget to mention the endless options offered in Moodle that you can give as for students' activity.
Moodle is Feature rich
As I have mentioned earlier, Moodle has an endless list of resources and activities. As a Moodle facilitator, I have my way of "enrolling" my learners in the virtual class. I can assign an "enrollment key" to filter away those users who are not supposed to be included in my class. I can also assign my learners into groups. In relation with resources, I can create links to any content rich sites outside Moodle without leaving its environment or opening a new browser(though it can be done as an option). As for activity, here are some of the many activities found in the list forum, quiz, wiki, and workshop. You have to explore Moodle to appreciate its wonderful features for student learning.
Moodle has Pedagogies
Usually in the creation of educational software, nobody asked what learning framework should be its guide. Unfortunately, most commercial software are geared towards how many features it offer rather than addressing the obvious. How will the learners learn while using it? As for Moodle, Constructivism, Social Constructivism, and Connectivism are all adopted as for its pedagogy. It means to say that knowledge can be built and developed through constant interaction and cooperation. All the more that knowledge is processed then therefore learners are also immersed during the process.
Moodle is Student-Centered/Active Learning
Many believed that learning occurs in the structured set-up wherein there are classroom, teacher, and a group of students. Inside the classroom the usual approach is the teacher gives lecture, quiz and homework and then the students listen, answer the quiz and prepare for homework. Using Moodle gives teachers another alternative for students to learn independently and interdependently by giving them the opportunity to study online. Students learn how to assimilate and process information(as in Constructivism), and also learn to cooperate and interact with one another while engaging themselves in student centered learning activities like wiki projects, workshops and forums(as in Social Constructivism). Students learn while fulfilling tasks set upon by the teacher in Moodle.
Moodle gives Instant Feedback
Using Moodle, gone are the days wherein you have to manually correct student papers . Students who took their tests , quizzes , and projects in Moodle can view their grades and results almost instantly. All teachers need to do is to assign how students are to be assessed and just choose an option of points(let's say the total score for an activity is ten or one hundred). When teachers and students are all simultaneously logged in, they can give and read their comments and replies using chat and forums in real time.
Moodle is Integrated
The learning resources, activities and features are modular which means it can stand alone but they are also designed to complement each other. Examples are: the default news forum can be complemented with the calendar which is offered as an optional block. Resources like text and web page can be complemented by uploading files like podcast to enhance the learning experience of your students.
Moodle is Multi-functional
The Moodle environment offers feature rich elements starting with the block elements like calendar, student activities and text upto activities like chat and forum and wikis. Since it is not exclusive unlike commercial softwares , Moodle supports operating systems like Linux and its other versions. Moodle can be used also as a project collaboration site, news website, school portal, and the list of possible uses is limited only to the users imagination.
Moodle is Interactive
Whether you like it synchronous or asynchronous, it will never be a problem when you use Moodle. It is designed to engage learners to participate and collaborate with one another. Elements like chat and forums are there to instill the value of active participation and self-initiative. Projects like wiki and workshop helps learners to study the inner workings of the ideas found in a lesson and to study it with others independently.
I end up by saying that when you experiment with Moodle and use it, you will not benefit yourself but your students too. Just don't take my word for it. Try it! :)
