CSU System Adopts Moodle LMS Services
The California State University system is providing new learning management system support options to its 23 campuses. Through a new agreement with Moodlerooms, campuses will be offered the option of adopting the open source Moodle virtual learning environment and will be provided with hosting, training, and other support services. In addition to Moodle, the CSU system is also offering a similar service to schools that adopt Angel LMS, a commercial learning management system.
Moodlerooms is a Moodle service provider that offers integration, customization, and course conversion services. It's providing Moodle through a SaaS model for CSU campuses that choose to use that LMS, although no campuses are being force to switch to a particular platform, according to Kathy Fernandes, director of LMS initiatives for the CSU. She also explained in an e-mail that, following a request for proposals earlier this year, only Moodle and Angel made the cut owing to the accessibility requirements of the CSU system.
"Our goal is to provide CSU campuses with a structured process to review enterprise learning management systems that satisfy both near and long-term requirements for supporting quality instruction with technology," Fernandes said in a prepared statement. "Moodle is an open source program that is gaining momentum, has no licensing fees and provides the flexibility that our campuses need to integrate with existing systems. Moodle also meets the W3C accessibility standards that enable CSU campuses to improve access to instruction for all our students."
A second round of RFPs is going on now, according to Fernandes.
Some CSU campuses have already been piloting Moodle programs for more than a month, according to information supplied to us by Moodlerooms. These include campuses in Chico, Long Beach, and Northridge.
"Our goals are quite simple, provide the option for a scalable and sustainable open source LMS to the 23 campuses. The beneficiary will be the students," said Martin Knott, Moodlerooms CEO, in a prepared statement. "Moodlerooms is proud to have been selected to provide its services to the largest university system in the country. By using Moodle as their LMS and Moodlerooms as their service provider, each CSU campus can meet federal accessibility standards and be afforded the opportunity to expand their resources by paying only for the services they use."
The CSU system spans 23 campuses across California and employs some 46,000 faculty and staff. It serves about 450,000 students and is the largest university system in the country.