Moodle Integration

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Publish Date: 05/26/2010

Last Updated: 06/24/2010

More Information: contact Jill Judd

WhippleHill has integrated with the open-source online course

management software Moodle to streamline access to the widely

used virtual learning environment. By installing a plugin on a school’s Moodle

site, users can authenticate directly from Podium. Administrators can place an

authenticated link on any page or portal to achieve this functionality.

Clients who are interested in taking advantage of the Moodle integration

will receive a package file from WhippleHill with installation instructions. The

Administrator for Moodle can install the authentication plug-in on their Moodle

server, allowing for more self-management.

Data synchronizationThe process of establishing consistency of

data between a source and storage, and

the continued harmonization of that data

over time.

External AuthenticationA method of access control that allows a

user to log in via an operating system or

network service.

Password fatigue(aka password chaos, identity chaos)

The feeling that results from being required

to remember a large number of passwords

to conduct business and maintain a daily

routine. According to a 2002 survey by NTA

Monitor, a typical intensive computer user

has an average of 21 password-protected

accounts. Password fatigue often results

in stress and the adoption of habits that

compromise security, such as relying on

written passwords or using the same

password for multiple accounts.

INTEGRATION GLOSSARY

RoleThe ability of an individual user to perform a

specific task, such as view, create or modify

a file. Roles are defined according to job

competency, authority and responsibility

within the enterprise.

SSOSingle sign-on. A property of access control of

multiple related, but independent, software

systems. A user logs in once to gain access to

all systems.

Vendor KeyCode needed to enable an authentication

plugin from Moodle to allow External

Authentication.

Web ServiceAn application programming interface (API)

that can be accessed over a network, such

as the Internet, and executed on a remote

system hosting the requested services.

http://moodle.orgsupport@whipplehill.com

1.603.669.5979 (WhippleHill)

Integration Facts

Released: September 2009

Version: 1.0

No. of Installs: 2

API: SOAP

Data Feed: N/A

Data Syncing:

External Authentication:

Record Linking:

Single Sign-on:

*WhippleHill Setup Fee: $125

*WhippleHill Annual Fee: $360

from WH to M

from M to WH

both WH & M

Verifiable

Non-Verifiable

Not ApplicableN/A

*In addition to WhippleHill fees, contact ecosystem partner for additional pricing information.

Moodle Integration

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Single Sign-onThe SSO, or single sign-on, integration authenticates users from Podium

into their Moodle accounts. No additional usernames, passwords or URLs

are needed. SSO reduces password fatigue among users and decreases the

volume of password-related phone calls to the IT department.

Users logging directly into Moodle use their WhippleHill username and

password. Moodle will receive the information from Podium and update it

where applicable. Any updated User Profile information in Podium will be

updated in Podium.

“The Podium-Moodle integration

enables us to set up a student

once and then have them available

across both systems. For teachers

who want to enhance their

Academic Group content, this

makes Moodle an easy next step

for everyone.”

Basil Kolani

Director of Information Services

Dwight School

The plug-in settings are easy to set-up and

enable. By locking certain user information fields,

you can ensure that Moodle has the most current

user information from WhippleHill.

By activating the plug-in you let Moodle know

that WhippleHill should be the authentication

resource for logins.

Moodle Integration

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If the WhippleHill authentication plug-in is active for Moodle, users can log in

to Moodle directly and still be authenticated through Podium.

In addition to SSO access, the integration also creates Moodle credentials the

first time a student or teacher accesses the system if a Moodle user account

has not previously been established. Admin users can see all new accounts but

will not need to create them.

Administrators can determine who has access to the SSO functionality –

students, teachers or a combination.

The diagram to the left demonstrates what

happens during the authentication process when

a WhippleHill user logs into Moodle.

A basic settings screen in WhippleHill allows the

Moodle Manager Role to enable the integration

and select the User Roles that they would like to

participate.

Moodle Integration

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Data synchronization

Data synchronization between the two platforms keeps information

consistent and current. Administrators can configure which data fields will be

synced between Moodle and WhippleHill.

When fields are locked, changes that occur in Moodle will be updated in

Podium, and vice versa. Unlocked or empty fields will not sync.

External AuthenticationExternal Authentication between WH and Moodle enables users to gain

access in Moodle by using their Podium user credentials (username and

password). This allows users to access both systems with one username and

password. There is no password synching or delays. If the password changes

in Moodle the user can instantly use this new password to authenticate into

Podium. EA shares some of the same benefits of SSO, like password fatigue

and IT costs reduction.

The diagram to the left demonstrates how using

External Authentication, users can authenticate

off of WhippleHill, regardless if they use the SSO

or log into Moodle directly.

User.UserName $USER->username

User.FirstName $USER->firstname

User.LastName $USER->lastname

User.Email $USER->email

Address.AddressLine1 (home address)

Address.AddressLine2

Address.AddressLine3

Address.City $USER->city

Address.Country $USER->country

Phone.PhoneNumber (home phone) $USER->phone1

Phone. PhoneNumber (wireless phone) $USER->phone2

PersonalWeb $USER->url

Department.DepartmentDescription (Teachers only)$USER->department (multiple departments combined into one string, separated by commas)

Field MappingText/Data Field Mappings between WhippleHill and Moodle. Home address and phones are shared in WhippleHill based on

the Moodle household ID.

Moodle Integration

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WHIPPLEHILL

$USER->address (all 3 address lines combined into one string, separated by commas)

Moodle Integration

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Forward Statement

WhippleHill is further developing its integration to allow schools running Podium’s

Academic Groups software to enroll their students in Moodle courses.

When the integration is complete, teachers will be able to sync their Academic Group

content into corresponding Moodle courses, eliminating the need to load their materials

more than once. The integration will help establish a consistent user experience in Podium

for parents whose students are enrolled in Moodle courses.

WhippleHill developers anticipate that the fully integrated solution will be released in 2010.