Moodle LMS 4.5: Unlock the power of AI for your courses

October 7, 2024 By Sonya Trivedi

We are thrilled to announce the release of Moodle LMS 4.5. With over 250 new features and improvements, this newest version of Moodle LMS transforms learning experiences by unlocking the power of AI, refining course organisation, and enhancing essential learning tools.

Guided by our AI Principles, Moodle 4.5 introduces a flexible AI subsystem that allows you to choose if, how, and where you want to integrate AI tools into your Moodle site. This is AI, your way.

Introducing the AI subsystem: AI, your way

Moodle LMS 4.5 has a new AI subsystem designed to integrate easily with various AI providers while maximising safety, efficiency, and accessibility. Because a human-centred approach to AI is at the core of our AI Principles, the subsystem allows you to have complete control over how AI is used in your Moodle site. 

This subsystem is a scalable framework that supports secure, adaptable AI-powered learning in Moodle’s core functionality.

Moodle LMS will initially support the OpenAI API. This API will work with open-source models such as Ollama, LiteLLM, and LocalAI. It will also support services like Groq, OpenAI itself, and Azure. Additional AI model support will be added in future releases.

With Moodle’s AI subsystem, you will never be tied to a single AI provider, which ensures long-term flexibility and scalability for your organisation. 

This integration makes the AI tools easier to use, boosts confidence in adopting new technology, and improves engagement among your learners – all while ensuring student data remains secure. 

Manage AI providers seamlessly with Moodle's AI subsystem, designed for flexibility, security, and scalability. Image source: Moodle Image
Manage AI providers seamlessly with Moodle’s AI subsystem, designed for flexibility, security, and scalability. Image source: Moodle

AI-powered content generation and summarisation: Augmenting learning and teaching

The new AI subsystem adds the first AI-powered features in Moodle LMS. 

Generating text and images in Moodle’s editor simplifies content creation, saving time and effort. This functionality is available to all Moodle LMS users with the appropriate permissions. 

AI-generated content is tagged for transparency, and descriptions for generated images are automatically added, making it easier to create inclusive, accessible learning materials.

When enabled by their instructor, learners can also use AI tools within Moodle to create content and summarise text, with all actions logged for review and continuous learning improvement. Your learners benefit from having choice, control, and transparency in AI interactions, elements that help build essential digital literacy skills.

 Effortlessly generate images with AI, enhancing content creation and accessibility in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle Image
Effortlessly generate images with AI, enhancing content creation and accessibility in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle

Subsections for more refined course organisation

Moodle LMS 4.5 now has Subsections. These can help you better organise course content by grouping related materials, making it easier to organise and navigate. Subsections act the same as the existing Moodle course Sections but are contained within an existing section. 

With Subsections, course designers can visually group related content, making it easier to build clear, sequential learning paths without the need for additional plugins. 

This feature also helps you manage courses, allowing you to move and reorganise entire sections of content with minimal effort.  

Subsections help your students learn – they make it easier to navigate complex topics without feeling overwhelmed. Students can now follow their course material logically, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Easily add subsections to better organise and streamline course content in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle Image
Easily add subsections to better organise and streamline course content in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle

Enhanced assignment activity for continuous feedback

Moodle LMS 4.5 greatly improves the assignment page, making it more user-friendly. 

The new layout, sticky header and footer, and improved filters let you better manage your student submissions. The new automatic additional attempts feature promotes continuous feedback without manual intervention.

For your learners, this feature allows more resubmissions. It encourages continuous feedback and makes the feedback loop smoother and more effective. The new table layout and upgrades make it easier for your students to track their submissions and understand the feedback process.

Manage student submissions effortlessly with the new sticky footer, which provides quick access to bulk actions in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle Image
Manage student submissions effortlessly with the new sticky footer, which provides quick access to bulk actions in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle

Preparing for Open Badges 3.0 with badge system improvements

In preparation for Moodle LMS 5.0, the badges system has been streamlined. 

The new process for importing, exporting, and copying badges is simpler. It reduces confusion and makes it easier for you to share badges across different courses or platforms.

With improved badge management, you can boost your students’ learning and motivate them to perform better. 

It also helps make badges more consistent across courses. This helps your students understand and value their achievements.

Manage badges with ease, including duplicates with different completion criteria in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle Image
Manage badges with ease, including duplicates with different completion criteria in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle

Improved media integration and screen recording

Moodle LMS 4.5 greatly improves media integration in its content editor. A faster, easier way to add video and audio lets you use multimedia in your lessons. This enriches your overall teaching experience. The new user interface also improves usability, making it easier to manage and embed media in course materials.

A standout feature is the ability to record screens in the editor. This allows you to create dynamic content, like tutorials or walkthroughs. It also lets your learners use short screencasts to show solutions without external tools.

These improvements in media handling will give your students richer, more engaging content, helping them better understand and retain the course material. Also, easy integration and refinement of multimedia content ensures students get clear, well-structured media, accommodating diverse learning preferences.

Easily record and integrate screen recordings directly into your course content with Moodle LMS 4.5. Image source: Moodle Image
Easily record and integrate screen recordings directly into your course content with Moodle LMS 4.5. Image source: Moodle

Help learners stay on track with more notification options

Moodle LMS 4.5 has improved notifications, reminding your students of due assignments and upcoming quizzes. It helps them use their time better and meet deadlines.

Automated notifications can also save you time by replacing manual reminders. This lets you focus more on teaching and helps your students stay engaged. As your learners become aware of deadlines, you may see improved, on-time work.

Keep learners on track with automatic reminders for overdue assignments in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle Image
Keep learners on track with automatic reminders for overdue assignments in Moodle LMS. Image source: Moodle

Experience the power of AI with Moodle LMS 4.5

Our global network of Moodle Certified Partners can help you upgrade to Moodle LMS 4.5 and its new features.