The Proper Moodle Mobile App for LBCC

We have sensed some student confusion on which Moodle mobile app to use. The regular, official Moodle Mobile app is not compatible with LBCC Moodle, but that's not a bad thing, because the app that does work has more features! Here is the app you DO NOT want:

… and here is the app you DO want:

If you would like some clear instructions for your students, here you go:

1. Click to get the Open LMS mobile app or scanning the QR code below.

2. Launch the app and enter this URL (one time only) into the app text field: moodle.linnbenton.edu

3. Use your login credentials to sign in to the LBCC Single Sign-On (SSO) portal.

Open LMS Moodle Mobile App Update

We received a message from our Moodle host today:

As we mentioned in past communications about the Open LMS Moodle mobile application, there are currently 2 versions of the app available in the Apple and Google app stores. One is labeled “Open-LMS” and one is labeled “old Open LMS”.

As of the end of April, new updates and changes to the mobile app will only be available on the “Open-LMS” app version. The “old Open LMS” version will not be updated and will no longer be available in app stores. Technically, this older version will still work until the end of 2021, but new updates will not be included.

As a reminder from previous updates, here is the timeline of app changes:

February 17: We started deploying the new Open LMS App in the Apple and Google app stores and we changed the name of the old Open LMS app to “old Open LMS” in the stores. In the old app’s listing description, we recommend downloading the new App, titled “Open-LMS”.

April 28: We will remove the “old Open LMS” app from the stores. (Users will still be able to use it, but will not be able to update it.)

We recommend you encourage your users to delete the "old Open LMS" app, and ensure they have the latest version of the new app installed. To assist with this process, we’ve updated the icon on the old app to make it clear which one is no longer recommended.

The screenshot on the left is iOS, screenshot on the right is Android. The new app is highlighted in yellow, while the old app is highlighted in red:

Just as a reminder, a new version was created to ensure consistency and clarity with the deployment details in the app store. We do not anticipate this approach will be needed again. We realize that this creates confusion with users and additional work for all involved. Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible for your users, and to provide sufficient notice to you to ensure a smooth transition.

Moodle Mobile App: Assignment Submission

Need to submit a printed page(s) into a Moodle Assignment? Here's how to do it.

Moodle Mobile App: Logging In

Here is how to get logged in to our Moodle system for the first time with the Moodle mobile app.

MoodleMobile App Assignment Submission

Moodle Mobile 3.2.1

The Moodle Mobile 3.2.1 release brings with it a number of features and improvements at enhancing users experience and performance.

New features in Moodle 3.2.1 include:

• Glossary entries: Moodle Mobile users will be able to add glossary entries with attachments, such as images, documents or videos, so that users can view them all in the one spot.
• Messages & notifications: Users can view their unread messages and notifications count even better as they are now displayed in the app icon (for iOS) and in the app menu item.
• Web & mobile harmonisation: As part of Moodle’s focus towards a more unified experience between the web and mobile version, the site home displays the same options as via the web – including search courses, browse categories and more. This feature will work with the Moodle Mobile additional features plugin.
• Configure your Moodle Mobile features straight from your Moodle site administration: Turn on custom menu items and custom language strings, disable features and use the option to enable users to log out completely from the App. Please note this feature requires the latest version of the “Moodle Mobile additional features plugin” and will be included in Moodle Mobile 3.3

Read more here.

Moodle Mobile Enhancements (Version 3.1)

PSST - I'm sitting in on a Moodlerooms webinar RIGHT NOW covering the updates coming around soon in our Moodle system, and this slide caught my eye:

Stay tuned for more update information.

Banning Smartphones in the Classroom

"A recent study… found that university students who had their devices taken from them scored 17 percentage points lower on a standardized test than those who didn’t. Researchers concluded that students without their smartphones experienced so much anxiety and fear of missing out — or FOMO — that they were unable to focus."

Read more here.

12 Mobile Learning Trends On The Rise

The opening line of the blog post that inspired this blog post (that happens a lot in blogland…) says:

"In the elearning industry there is sometimes confusion as to the difference between elearning and 'mobile learning.' In many respects elearning is mobile – so why make a distinction?"

When I first read that, I was immediately reminded of a recent story that claimed that "60 Percent of Online Traffic Now Comes From Mobile." That sure sounded a little high to me, so I started researching and observing. Take a walk and watch people around campus, or your street, or the mall, or even on a nature hike (ugh), and you won't be able to help but notice how many have their faces plastered to their mobile phones. Good or bad (just like social media, texting, etc.), those are the real facts out there, so we have to pay attention.

So read more here, and be on the lookout for LBCC's efforts toward mobile learning.