The Testing Platform

During each stage, all development was carried out on a separate installation of Moodle from the final system, running on a computer. Both the testing environment and the final system were created using Moodle with the only noteworthy difference being that the testing environment ran locally while the final solution was accessed remotely via the Worldwide Web. All elements were created, tested and demonstrated using the testing environment and then either uploaded or recreated on the final system.

Stage 1

Introduction

The first stage in development was to create the actual instance of the Moodle environment. This involved deciding whether to host the final LPS Moodle environment on a local web server or remotely via a web host, creating the look for the LPS Moodle environment based on the current school website, creating the actual instance of Moodle and modifying the functionality of the default user classes within Moodle to match the requirements of the school.

The Hosting of LPS Moodle

With regard to hosting two methods were considered for the LPS Moodle project, these being a local web server located at the school and hosting remotely via a web hosting provider. Although either of these methods would have been suitable for the project, the final decision was to host remotely via a web hosting provider. This method was chosen due to the facts that LPS school does not already run a web server and the technical staff with their current responsibilities would be unable to maintain a secure web server should one be installed at the school.

Matching Existing Systems

The general look and feel of a Moodle environment is dictated by its theme. The theme is made up off a collection of files that together govern the colours, gradients, text decorations and other effects within the environment. To match the LPS Moodle environment with the existing LPS school website, it was necessary to create a theme that used the same colour palette, fonts and text decoration effects. Via investigation of the school’s existing website and significant modification of an existing Moodle theme, a theme was created that was both functional and similar to the existing LPS website for use within the environment.