Moodle@Kidderminster College

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Moodle_at_Kidderminster College

• An insight
• Into the College VLE

Graham Mason gmason_at_kidderminster.ac.uk
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History

• VLEs are like a phenomenon that moves sometimes
  at a ferocious pace and then sometimes at a pace
  that can infuriate
• Within the College we have had a VLE for a number
  of years (about five years) and always had a
  strong cohort that are willing to have ago
• I dont need to convince you to use Moodle,
  Moodle will do it for you
• JISC advocates open source technology
• JISC Core Middleware Bid 04/2004

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The Project Birth of KC-ROLO

• Securing a successful JISC Bid as lead
  institution 04/04
• Started with an IdP on Linux (Fedora Core 2)
• Although the Internet2 documentation was accurate
  in its description of how Shibboleth works
• The technical guidelines were generic and not
  specific, this was apparent in creating an SP

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Get the Documentation in place

• Our main ally was documentation
• Log progress at each step
• With pre-written scripts to download
• Continually updating scripts

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What is Shibboleth Its Middleware
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KC-ROLO Identity Provider
The Project Where to Start?

• Handle Service connected to Active Directory via
  Apache auth_ldap
• Then PubCookie from the University of Newcastle
  (good cookbook)
• Finally IIS Integrated Windows Authentication
  for a true once only login experience
• Attribute Authority connected to Active Directory
  (commonName) (department) (mail)
• We havent implemented the EduPerson class

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KC-ROLO Service Provider

• Used different platforms to gain experience in
  each one
• Repository SP on a Windows 2003 Box
• VLEs SP on a Linux Box

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How were using Shibboleth

• To share internal VLEswith different sections
• To share VLEs with partner institutions
• To share learning objects with partner
  institutions

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Moodle

• Use Moodle for Virtual Learning Environment
• Latest versions Shibbolized out of the box
• Split into sections, students/staff may need
  access to other Moodles

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Repository

• Open Source repository (in PERL)
• Contains learning objects, NLN and custom
  materials
• Search front end protected by shibboleth, no code
  change
• Shibbolized repository submitter, only members of
  Kidderminster College with the Staff attribute
  can submit.

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Without Shibboleth
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With Shibboleth
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Benefits to the Users

• No multiple logins to put them off
• Access to resources at other sites provides
  greater choiceof materials
• Students staff can collaborate with members of
  other institutions

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Federation
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Demo

• http//kc-vle.kidderminster.ac.uk/portal

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Future Developments
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Summary

• We now see Shibboleth as an intrical part of the
  College
• JISC and other communities are very helpful
• Has helped to link ICT Services and the LRC
  through collaboration
• Shibboleth in Further Education Report

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Questions?

• More info athttp//www.kidderminster.ac.uk/kc-r
  olo
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