Kidderminster College’s Support Service function, ‘VLE Middleware,’ whose aim is to help enhance and build learning through the use of a well-supported Virtual Learning Environment, is proud to have been involved in the first ever regional e-learning conference in Kenya.

“The conference, which ran from 17th – 20th November, was held at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. The aim of the conference was to further the good work done by the community in e-learning, which is a relatively new concept in east Africa.

ICT Development Team Leader, Ed Beddows, delivered a training programme on a free and open-source e-learning platform known as ‘Moodle’: Moodle being an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, developed by Australian, Martin Dougiamas.

Ed commented. ‘The aim was to get east Africa’s Moodle technicians (and potential Moodle technicians) to become competent in its installation, setup and day to day management.

Ed also installed ‘Shibboleth Single Sign On’ software for Kenyatta University, which allows them to log on to Moodle and other resources by entering just the one set of username and password. This removes the multiple logon requirements that stop so many users accessing resources (whilst maintaining security) and so improving the uptake of protected resources. One of the biggest advantages however, has to be the fact that this software enables the University to collaborate with other institutions where compatible software is installed, around the world. It was the first Shibboleth enabled Moodle installation in Kenya, and possibly the whole of East Africa.

VLE Middleware at Kidderminster College currently supports over 200,000 full time students (and many more part timers) throughout the UK. Further information can be found at www.vlemiddleware.com.