We are currently on the long-term release of Moodle, version 3.1, supported through May 2019. Moodle 3.5 was released in May 2018; we are targeting this release for a future major update.
Past updates:
On Friday, June 22 we performed a minor software update, including updating the core software to Moodle 3.1.12, updating to the latest-generation plugin for Panopto (Gauchocast), and adding media plugins for Sketchfab.
On Friday, January 19 the GauchoSpace database was migrated. The new database server improves GauchoSpace resilience in a distributed server environment.
On Wednesday, December 13 we performed a minor software update, which included the addition of a new discussion tool, Q2AForum.
On Monday, September 25, 2017 we performed a minor update, updating the core software to Moodle 3.1.8, which included security and bug fixes, and some other custom feature enhancements.
On June 23, 2017 we performed a minor update, updating the core software to Moodle 3.1.6, which includes security and bug fixes. We also introduced a new default basic user mode to make GauchoSpace easier to use for most instructors and we lifted the mandatory training requirement for instructors to use GauchoSpace.
On March 30, 2017 we performed a minor update, updating the core software to Moodle 3.1.5, which included security and bug fixes.
On February 10, 2017 we performed a back-end server update to GauchoSpace, updating PhP and Apache configuration; which improved the performance of GauchoSpace during peak load times.
On December 16, 2016 we performed a major update to GauchoSpace, updating the core software from Moodle 2.8 to 3.1; which included the following improvements released in the past year and a half:
- New assignment grading interface for easier online annotation of submissions
- Gradebook performance improvements for large course sites
- New quiz question types
- Hundreds of other bug fixes and improvements to usability, activities, and performance
More details can be found on the Highlights of the GauchoSpace Winter 2017 update page.
This version of Moodle is a long-term release and will be supported until May 2019. Full details of features and improvements can be found by viewing the release notes for Moodle 2.9, 3.0, and 3.1.
On June 17, 2016 we performed a minor update to GauchoSpace, which includes the following:
- all-new user experience, with an interface designed for easier use, better mobile accessibility, and stronger UCSB branding.
- Zoom Activity plugin for scheduling and accessing Zoom teleconference meetings or online office hours
- back-end application fixes and changes for the theme update
- support for YuJa active learning software for piloting
- performance improvements for "Trending Now" in large courses
- security patches
- removal of outdated UCSB-designed "Easyview" grader report (aka 'Gradebook') and disabling of unnecessary Moodle blocks (Blog Tags, Recent Blog Entries, Quiz Results, Tags) to improve ease-of-use
- system settings change to only preserve the history of grade changes for 150 days, in order to improve performance and resource use
Moodle released software version 3.0 on November 16, 2015 and 3.1 on May 23, 2016. We are evaluating these releases for a targeted Winter 2017 software update.
On March 23, 2016 we performed a minor update to GauchoSpace, which included the following:
- "Trending Now," a rebuilt analytics tool for viewing the popularity of resources in course sites
- back-end application fixes
- security patches
On December 18, 2015 we performed a minor update to GauchoSpace, which included the following:
- Minor update to Moodle 2.8.9, including bug and security fixes, as well as some application improvements
- New tool: "Recycle bin"- allows for an instructor to restore accidentally-deleted activities or resources
- New tool: "Progress Bar" - an instructor can set up a course site to allow students to easily monitor their progress with this simple visual tool
- New tool: "Project Site Request Manager"- any UCSB instructor/staff member can now easily request a project site using this feature
- Changes to the assignment grading interface to improve navigation and ease-of-use
- New plug-in and processes allowing for easier submission and approval of project site requests
- Some theme improvements and enhancements
On September 18, 2015 we performed a minor update, which included the following:
- Minor update to Moodle 2.8.8, including some bug fixes, particularly in the new gradebook, and security fixes.
- Custom interface and design changes to make the new gradebook easier to use.
- New UCSB tool: "Email an Instructor or TA" - this block can be added to a course site by the instructor to enable students to easily message instructors or teaching assistants in a course. Find out more here.
On June 19, 2015 we performed a major update, which included the following:
- Major update from Moodle 2.5 to Moodle 2.8, including two years of enhancements
- Over 50 new features, 500 improvements and numerous bug fixes.
- New easier-to-use gradebook aggregation method with simplified settings and interface.
- New simplified text editor with improved accessibility features.
- New PDF-markup tool in the assignment activity.
- Better navigation within forums with more granular control of notifications.
- Improvements to the edit icons and the grader report make the system easier to use for instructors on hand-held devices.
- New, easier-to-use quiz building interface.
Other one-off bug fixes or changes:
- On Wednesday, November 4, we enabled Course completion tracking on GauchoSpace, primarily useful for online and some project courses.
- On Saturday, October 24, we installed code to facilitate assignment feedback file upload using Perm numbers.
- On Friday, October 9, we installed two fixes to help improve performance in gradebook setup for large courses, details of which can be found here and here.
- On Monday, October 5, we installed a patch to fix a critical gradebook bug that affected the bulk insert in single view, details of the issue can be found here.