If you’re new to Moodle LMS, you may not know that MOODLE is actually an acronym that stands for – wait for it! – Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (don’t leave! I promise I’ll explain!).
It’s a mouthful, we know – that’s why we go by Moodle, or Noodle, depending on the mood of your autocorrect. 🍜
I bring this up not because it’s important for you to remember this very long acronym, but rather, because today I want to explain what Moodle’s modular nature means for you. Spoiler alert: it’s one of the things that makes Moodle LMS so flexible and powerful. Let me show you why this matters!
Welcome to the house of Moodle
So, what does “modular” mean in the context of Moodle? Let’s break it down.
Think of Moodle LMS like a house—a sturdy, well-built house that comes with everything you need to get started: walls, a roof, plumbing, electricity, and a cozy space for all your learning activities. This is Moodle’s core—the essential framework that supports everything you do, from creating courses to tracking learner progress.
But here’s the best part: just like a house, your Moodle site can be customised to suit your unique needs. Want a kitchen island for hosting cooking classes? Or maybe a reading nook for some quiet reflection? That’s where plugins come in.
Build your dream learning home
Plugins are like the furniture or additions you bring into your house. They “plug in” to Moodle’s core and add specific functionality. For example, you could install a plugin to create interactive quizzes, bring in advanced eCommerce services to sell courses, or even change the look and feel of things with site themes and course formats.
The beauty of Moodle’s modular system is its flexibility. You don’t have to settle for a one-size-fits-all solution—you can build the ideal learning environment for your audience, whether you’re a teacher running online classes, a workplace trainer, or even a small business selling courses.
And because many of the over 2300 Moodle plugins are developed by a global community, there’s always something new and innovative to explore. Don’t just take my word for it – let me show you a simple yet powerful example of a plugin in action.
A before-and-after look: Organising a course with the Tiles plugin
I’ve just created a course in Moodle LMS. By default, the course uses Moodle’s Custom sections format (formerly known as Topics format), which looks like this:
The Custom sections course format is:
📜 A long, scrolling list of sections and activities
🔍 Sometimes challenging to quickly find what you need
📂 Stacked in a single column
Now, let’s see what happens when I take the same course and instead use the Tiles course format plugin:
Now, with the Tiles course format, my course has:
📌 A clean, grid-based layout with visual tiles for each topic
🎯 Clickable icons that open sections neatly, reducing clutter
🎨 A more engaging, modern design that makes navigation intuitive 🚀
With just one simple plugin, my course goes from a scroll-heavy list to a visually organised learning experience—and that’s just one example. Here’s another –
Make your content dynamic and personal with the Filter Codes plugin
By default, content in Moodle LMS is static – the same text, the same links, the same layout, no matter who’s looking at it. But what if your course pages could adapt to each learner, updating automatically and personalising content on the fly? That’s exactly what the Filter Codes plugin makes possible!
With Filter Codes, you can transform your Moodle site by using over 200 dynamic tags – simple shortcodes that instantly personalise and automate content. For example:
👋 Greet learners by name with {firstname} (so it’s “Welcome back, Lauren!” instead of just “Welcome”).
📊 Add progress bars to show learners how far they’ve come.
🎭 Show or hide content based on roles, so teachers and learners see only what’s relevant to them.
One of my favorite tricks? Instantly displaying courses as visual cards from a specific category with {coursecards id}—no manual updates needed!
Look how easy it was:
All I’ve typed into Moodle is {coursecards 1}, and it automatically displays all the courses in the category with ID 1. No copying and pasting links, no rearranging lists – it just works!
Look closely, and you’ll also see that I’ve personalised the text right above the course cards, just by typing in Welcome, {firstname}, thanks for checking out our courses.
Whether you want to personalise pages, simplify course management, or just save yourself from endless manual updates, Filter Codes gives you the tools to make Moodle work smarter—not harder.
Ready to see it in action? You might never want to go back to static pages again!
Explore the Moodle Plugins Directory: A world of possibilities
These two plugins – Tiles course format and Filter Codes – are just the beginning. If two plugins can make such a big difference, imagine what’s possible when you explore the full range of options available.
The Moodle Plugins Directory is your gateway to over 2,300 plugins, each designed to extend and enhance your Moodle site. From interactive content and gamification to advanced reporting and integrations, there’s a plugin for almost anything you can imagine.
Developed by Moodle HQ and a global community of contributors, these plugins give you the freedom to build a learning environment that works exactly how you need it to. Whether you’re looking for a small tweak or a major transformation, the right plugins can make all the difference.
From foundation to fully furnished: Unlock more with Premium Solutions
Your Moodle site comes with a solid foundation, but with Moodle Premium Solutions, you can fully customise your space—adding plugins, integrations, advanced course-building tools, and custom branding to create the perfect environment for your learners.
Think of it like upgrading from a starter home to a fully furnished space that fits your exact needs. Want to explore what’s possible? Let’s chat!
