Moodle 4.5 What's new

Intelligence and Efficiency: The Breakthrough Features of Moodle 4.5 (LTS)

The release of Moodle 4.5 is a landmark event, designated as a Long-Term Support (LTS) version that strategically integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) features into the core platform for the first time. This version focuses on maximizing educator efficiency by overhauling the Assignment activity workflow and significantly improving course hierarchy structure. Moodle 4.5 delivers tools that are faster, smarter, and more integrated, ensuring the platform remains at the cutting edge of digital learning technology.

Major Advancements for Teachers and Managers

Moodle 4.5 introduces foundational shifts in both technology and workflow that will redefine how courses are managed and taught:

1. Integration of the AI Subsystem

Moodle now provides an architectural layer to support generative AI tools across the platform:

• AI Subsystem MVP: The AI Subsystem is introduced as a Minimum Viable Product, establishing core architecture for managing various AI providers (e.g., OpenAI, Azure AI).
• AI Placements: Initial placements allow AI assistance directly within the Text Editor (for content generation and image suggestions) and for Course Assistance (helping instructors brainstorm topics or outline materials), making AI a collaborative partner in course design.

2. Comprehensive Assignment Workflow Overhaul

The Submission and Grading pages for the Assignment activity have been fundamentally redesigned for efficiency and clarity:

• Submissions Page Revamp: The page gains a sticky header and footer for persistent navigation and action buttons. Filters are enhanced, including improvements to the Submission Status, Marker, and Initials filters, making it faster to locate specific submissions.
• Attempt Control: A new setting allows for unconditional automatic additional attempts, simplifying the process of student resubmissions.
• New Contextual Menus: New contextual menus are introduced for editing options on the submissions page, streamlining the grading and workflow control process.

3. Course Hierarchy and Subsections

The organization of course content is further refined with a powerful new structural element:

• Subsection Module: A new core activity module, mod_subsection, is introduced. This allows instructors to organize activities into nested, indented structures within a section, dramatically improving the ability to visually group related resources and activities on the course page.
• Improved Hierarchy Support: This change integrates subsections into the Course Index and is supported across mobile apps and various reports.

4. Commercial and Credentialing Readiness

Moodle 4.5 delivers crucial features for external integration and compliance:

• SMS Subsystem: A new SMS Subsystem and gateway plugin type are introduced, laying the foundation for sending critical notifications via SMS. This is immediately used to support SMS Multi-factor Authentication (MFA).
• Open Badges 3.0: Full support for the latest Open Badges 3.0 standard is implemented, future-proofing the platform’s digital credentialing capabilities. Badges workflow is also improved with combined management reports.

Other Noteworthy Improvements and Fixes

Moodle 4.5 includes numerous smaller, yet valuable, enhancements across the platform:

• Notifications: New default notifications alert users of Upcoming Assignment Due, Upcoming Quiz Open, and Assignment Overdue status.
• Report Builder: Adds a new Competencies report source and enhances existing reports with better filtering by Cohort data and custom fields.
• Usability: The Book module is improved, and the course reset workflow is streamlined. The platform also enhances its icon usage by integrating Font Awesome 6.
• Security: New features empower users to log out other sessions during a password reset and add the ability to configure automatic EXIF data removal from uploaded images.

Essential System Requirements for Moodle 4.5 (LTS)

Moodle 4.5 maintains the robust technical floor set in 4.4, ensuring excellent performance and security, while adding support for new database infrastructure.

Partnering for Success: Comprehensive LMS Service Provision

Implementing a new LTS release like Moodle 4.5, especially one that introduces foundational AI and new subsystems like SMS, requires careful planning and specialized expertise. We offer comprehensive LMS services, specializing in the strategic implementation, customization, and seamless hosting of leading platforms, including Moodle, Tutor, and Canvas. Whether you require system migration, bespoke feature development to take advantage of these new capabilities, or robust integration services, our team ensures your platform is optimized for peak performance, security, and exceptional learner engagement, turning your digital learning strategy into a distinct competitive advantage.