Moodle 2.0.3 Gets 230 Fixes and Improvements

Moodle 2.0.3 has been released, incorporating more than 200 new features, improvements, bug fixes, and security tweaks (some of them classified as major).

Moodle is a widely adopted open source learning management system that supports both small and large deployments (with several sites well beyond 100,000 users) and includes course management tools, various Web 2.0 technologies, online assessments, integration with plagiarism detection tools, integration with repositories and electronic portfolio software, and other features common to learning management systems. It's used by about 1.12 million teachers and more than 42 million users via 54,000 sites worldwide. Those users participate in some 4.5 million total courses as of this writing. (Current statistics can be found here.)

The new 2.0.3 release gets bug fixes to four major and one minor security vulnerability, among them a cross-site scripting issue and two bugs allowing invalid records to be added to the database. It also includes a wide range of fixes to multimedia support, including:

  • Flash player customization in course themes;
  • MP3 playback with the latest Flash versions;
  • Support for HTML5 video if the browser supports it;
  • Video resizing; and
  • A YouTube accessibility issue.

It's also incorporated usability enhancements like a new flickr.com portfolio plugin, enhancements to themes (including a new theme called Nimble), superscript rendering, and external linking to Alfresco repositories.

Most of the other fixes and enhancements were more minor.

An update has also been released in the Moodle 1.9 branch, version 1.9.12. That update is far less extensive than the 2.0.3 update, incorporating 16 bug fixes and two improvements, including support for adding iframes in course category descriptions.

Moodle 2.0.3 and Moodle 1.9.12 are both available now as free downloads from the Moodle site. Further details on the 2.0.3 update can be found here. Details on the 1.9.12 update can be found here. Direct downloads are available here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.

  • toolbox featuring a circuit-like AI symbol and containing a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer

    Microsoft Launches AI Tools for Educators

    Microsoft has introduced a variety of AI tools aimed at helping educators develop personalized learning experiences for their students, create content more efficiently, and increase student engagement.

  • laptop displaying a red padlock icon sits on a wooden desk with a digital network interface background

    Reports Point to Domain Controllers as Prime Ransomware Targets

    A recent report from Microsoft reinforces warns of the critical role Active Directory (AD) domain controllers play in large-scale ransomware attacks, aligning with U.S. government advisories on the persistent threat of AD compromise.

  • Two hands shaking in the center with subtle technology icons, graphs, binary code, and a padlock in the dark blue background

    Two Areas for K-12 Schools to Assess for When to Work with a Managed Services Provider

    The complexity of today’s IT network infrastructure and increased cybersecurity risk are quickly moving beyond many school districts’ ability to manage on their own. But a new technology model, a partnership with a managed services provider, offers a way forward for schools to overcome these challenges.