Open Source Software - developed by enthusiasts for the world to share - used to send serious software developers into fits of laughter.
Today, the world is embracing open source software as real
competition for the packaged proprietary software that can cost a fortune to adopt.
One of the biggest outbreaks of open source software has been in the learning business and a clear leader is emerging - software called Moodle, now used for on-line learning on 40,000 web sites.
Next week a Moodle expert will be marking a milestone, by
exhibiting at the prestigious HRD (Human Resource Development) annual showcase at ExCel in London. It attracts visitors from 70 countries.
The exhibition, which opens on Tuesday and runs until Thursday, is organised by the Chartered Institute For Personal Development and will be attended by thousands of HR managers, training outfits and others keen to learn about the latest learning and development techniques.
HowToMoodle based in the Midlands, at Wolverhampton University's Telford campus. The company has quickly become the leader in showing others how to take advantage of the Moodle system.
This is serious software for serious learning, said founder and MD Ray Lawrence. It is now embraced by industry, local authorities, universities, colleges, and charities and is accepted as the future for on-line learning courses.
HowToMoodle will be the sole voice of Moodle at the exhibition, and Ray says he's expecting a lot of interest. Many people have heard about Moodle, and have dabbled a little or had some ad-hoc training; but they still don't understand how powerful it is., continued Ray. We show people how to get the most out of it;
how to initiate their own coursework and learning programmes.
The company is growing rapidly, with customers scattered all over the UK and beyond, with a busy web site - www.howtomoodle.com and a growing army of enthusiastic organisations.
HRD 2008 is at the ExCel, London Tuesday-Thursday. Info from
the exhibition web site, at:
Moodle - the open source software that's getting serious
.
