Released on 7th October 2024, Moodle 4.5 took a major step forward through the inclusion of a unique AI Subsystem, transforming how users engage and learn within the platform.
Curious about how impactful the introduction of AI in Moodle could be? Check out Moodle’s explainer video below for a detailed walkthrough of the features. To provide transparency and address the ongoing controversy surrounding AI in education, Moodle HQ has thoroughly outlined their AI principles.
Unleashing Moodle 4.5’s AI Subsystem
The magic of Moodle’s AI Subsystem is its simplicity, with a valid account for an LLM system like ChatGPT there are only a few other configuration options required before your users can access the new AI features.
Once configured, Moodle will display a new “Summarise” button for resources, and perhaps more interestingly a new AI button on the TinyMCE Editor with options to Generate Text and Generate Images.
Remember, AI isn’t a magic wand – it only delivers based on the quality of prompts provided. Therefore we encourage users to experiment with different prompts and share ideas for optimal results. Watch this space for upcoming staff training on how to best utilise this feature.
The Impact of AI on Teaching and Learning
The AI Subsystem is far more than a fancy feature – it’s a tool that can transform teaching and learning experiences.
Having this feature fully integrated within Moodle opens up the scope for an interesting list of possibilities when compared to users accessing something like ChatGPT via their own web interface. It is very likely that the new AI subsystem will encourage the development of other plugins such as quiz question generation and automatic generation of feedback, so keep a keen eye on the Plugins Traffic forum at Moodle.org for exciting developments.
We must remember, however, that AI, like any tool, should be used wisley. One must be cautious about AI’s responses and always cross-verify information from various sources, they can embody common prejudices and assumptions, and also simply just make things up!
Remember, AI tools are most effective when used wisely. Always cross-verify AI-generated content to ensure quality and accuracy.
There are many examples of strange results from LLM systems like ChatGPT, they can often give incorrect responses to things we expect computers to be very good at so beware. A humorous example is to ask how often the letter “R” occurs in the word “strawberry”, at the time of writing this post at least two of the leading products will say the letter occurs twice when first asked, but on being asked a second time will say the correct answer of three.
AI Tailored to Your Needs
Moodle’s AI Subsystem currently supports Open AI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft Azure, but we anticipate support for other systems like AWS, Groq, and Ollama. Particularly exciting is Ollama – this allows organisations to self-host their LLM, ensuring data remains within the system.
A glimpse into other Moodle 4.5 features
The AI Subsystem is just one part of the Moodle 4.5 release. This update also includes several additional features tailored to simplify and improve course management. Here are a few highlights:
- Drag-and-drop question bank for seamless organisation (a feature was worked on by our very own Mark Johnson)
- Admin options for default grade and scale types in assignments
- Enhanced security with an in-built SMS gateway for Multi-Factor Authentication
And for even greater flexibility in course layout, Moodle 4.5 now offers the ability to create “sections within sections”. This new structure enables more organised course navigation for both educators and students alike. Get a feel for this feature in the following video.
For a comprehensive list of all the exciting new features in Moodle 4.5, check out the official New Features announcement.
Do you want to learn how AI-enhanced workflows and innovative features in Moodle 4.5 can elevate your courses? Connect us today to explore how our managed Moodle solutions can help you save time, support learning outcomes, and enhance student engagement. Get in touch to unlock the full potential of Moodle 4.5!
