Moodle is Web-based Learning Management Software (LMS).  As such, it allows instructors to create, sequence and modify activities for their students.  An activity might be a simple resource (like a video, sound file, pdf file, excel spreadsheet, Web page, or word document), or an activity could be a multiple-choice quiz that grades itself. Moodle has flexible activities, providing different approaches for learners.

Are there other programs that are like Moodle?

Tools like Blackboard, WebCT, eCollege, Sakai and Desire2Learn are similar in functionality. Other software offers features like online gradebooks or Web pages or calendars that show classes what and when work is due. Moodle bundles together several of these approaches into an easy and secure interface.  Each student logs into Moodle with a username and password and has varying rights and dialogues with her instructor and peers, depending on the way the instructor has organized the course.

What does Moodle mean and who made it?

The word "Moodle" is constructed of "muse" and "doodle." Moodling is a process of creatively meandering through the various activities of a course, tinkering towards insight and creativity. One of the major reasons Moodlers love this software is that online communication allows for time and space to think before immediately responding.

Moodle is an ongoing project created by Martin Dougiamas of Perth, Australia. The open source software code is available for free at download.moodle.org.  At moodle.org, an active group of educators and developers contribute daily to the evolution of the software. Moodle was created as a tool for pedagogical enhancement on a social constructivism chassis.