Monday, December 21, 2020

Converting a Course Between LMSes

We received a request from an instructor asking for assistance in converting a Canvas course into a Moodle course. They had a Canvas backup file and had discovered a video describing the basic process. I had seen that video (and many like it) before, and found it curious that they didn't close the loop and show the resulting Moodle course.

In hopes of sharing what we on the Moodle team have observed and experienced over the last dozen years or so, here is my reply to the instructor:

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We have fielded this and similar questions numerous times over the years. The only solution along those lines that has been more or less successful is when the backup file (in this case, from Canvas) is made from a course that was built as a "file dump/repository," as in simply containing files (usually Word Docs, PowerPoint files, PDFs, etc.), but nothing representing any true LMS functionality such as those you are familiar with in Moodle: Assignment, Quiz, Forum, Attendance, Book, Lesson, etc.

Do you have any idea as to the nature of the Canvas course you are looking to convert to Moodle? If it just consists of files, your idea might work, but not necessarily better than replicating that type of course in Moodle. If the course incorporates Canvas LMS functions, we have yet to see a conversion utility or process (including the one you referenced) that will accurately translate into a Moodle course.

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That said, if you know of, or discover a utility or process that reliably facilitates a conversion of true LMS functionality from and/or into Moodle, please let us know - comment below!

Friday, December 11, 2020

Moodle Course Basics Screencast

Here are the basic processes we on the LBCC Moodle Team have seen work best for most instructors and students in most Moodle courses. Let us know what you think in the comments below!