The Moodle Podcast

From dealing with "hot chocolate injuries" to saving lives in sub-zero wilderness conditions, the Canadian Ski Patrol relies on their 4,100+ dedicated volunteers across Canada.

 In this episode of The Moodle Podcast, hosts Dan Lehner and Shalimar Anderson are  joined by Mark Brown from Canadian Ski Patrol, and Andrew Boag, CEO of Catalyst, Canada.

Mark shares fascinating stories from his 25+ years on the ski slopes—including what it takes to manage dynamic first-responder teams, why training is embedded into every layer of their culture, and how the organization delivers emergency services year-round.

Together, Mark and Andrew break down the Canadian Ski Patrol’s digital learning transformation including

• Their Shift to Moodle Workplace: Why moving from a community LMS to Moodle Workplace made sense for them.
• Streamlining Operations: How multi-tenancy, automated enrollment, and mobile app support empowered patrollers to learn anytime, anywhere (really!).
• Future-Proofing Education: Eliminating stress-inducing exams in favor of interactive, gamified learning, and testing cutting-edge AI tools to engage the next generation of Ski Patrols first responders.

Psst, stick around for a quick dive into skiing safety tips for beginners and Shalimar's appreciation for sharkploitation cinema! Bet you didn't see that one coming. 🦈

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When sudden regulations hit, workforce needs shift, or new technologies like AI arrive, rigid learning platforms become operational roadblocks. In this episode of the Moodle Podcast, hosts Dan and Shalimar sit down with Jess Bryant (Global Head of Professional Services at Moodle) and Setara Singh (Senior Product Manager for Moodle Marketplace) to explore why adaptable, modular tech is essential for growth.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How building an open learning ecosystem protects your budget, data sovereignty, and team sanity.
• The high costs of admin overhead in rigid systems.
•  The recent launch of the new Moodle Marketplace.
• How a modular setup prevents tool fatigue for learners.
• Strategies for keeping your tech stack evolution-ready without risking system clutter.

Access our Design for Change guide now: A practical guide to understanding
and strengthening your learning ecosystem's adaptability.

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What does it take to sustain an open source project for over two decades?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dries Buytaert—founder of Drupal and co-founder of Acquia—to explore the past, present, and future of open source software. From building a dorm-room message board in 2001 to leading a content management system that powers millions of websites worldwide, Dries reflects on his journey as an "accidental open source leader."

In this episode we dive into:

• The evolution of open source: How software transitions from volunteer passion projects to commercialized ecosystems.
• How Dries balanced leading the Drupal (open source) community while founding Acquia, ensuring decisions always remained sensible for both.
• The mechanics behind Drupal’s unique contribution credit system and how it incentivizes companies to give back.
• The future of open source in an AI world.

This conversation offers a masterclass in long-term software sustainability, ecosystem leadership, and the power of shared values.

Links & Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Learn more about Drupal and Acquia
• Read Dries Buytaert's thoughts on open source on his blog
• Download our new strategic playbook, Design for Change: Building Adaptable Learning Ecosystems

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In the latest episode of the Moodle Podcast, hosts Shalimar and Dan dive into the shifting landscape of neurodiversity in education and the workplace. They are joined by Amy Foxwell from ReadSpeaker, a certified Moodle integration, to discuss why designing for neurodivergent learners isn't just "the right thing to do"—it’s a strategic competitive advantage.

From the "operating system" analogy of the human brain to the "curb-cut effect" of assistive technology, this conversation explores how proactive, Universal Design for Learning creates an environment where every learner can thrive. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Neuro-Inclusion Revolution: Why we are seeing a massive uptick in neurodivergent identification and how businesses like Ultranauts are proving that neurodiversity is a world-class engineering advantage.
• Moving Beyond Accommodations: Amy explains the shift from a "declaration-dependent" system (where students must disclose a diagnosis) to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), where inclusion is built in by default.
• The Curb-Cut Effect: How tools originally designed for specific disabilities—like text-to-speech—have become essential productivity tools for the general population.
• Combating "Masking": The mental and emotional cost of performing "normalcy" and how asynchronous tools and flexible course structures allow learners to focus on content.
• The Business Case for Inclusion: Startling data shows that neurodivergent teams can be 30% more profitable and significantly more productive.
• Quick Wins for Course Designers: Practical advice for "exhausted" designers on how to implement small, immediate changes—from font choices to integrated text-to-speech—that move the needle for accessibility.
  
  To learn more about Moodle and ReadSpeaker, visit their partner profile here on our website or visit their website.

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For millions of learners, a missing caption or a low-contrast screen is more than a glitch—it’s a barrier.  In this episode, Shalimar is joined by Moodle accessibility specialists Jun Pataleta and Carli Cockrell to discuss why accessibility is a fundamental right, not a luxury.

We dive into the Moodle accessibility toolkit, and discuss the power and benefits of Moodle integration partners Brickfield and ReadSpeaker.  We also cover how AI is changing the game for transcripts and summaries.

From "Spoon Theory" and personal journeys to the practical magic of the POUR principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust), we explore how designing for the few benefits everyone. 

https://moodle.com/accessibility/

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Recently, our hosts connected with Fred Dixon, CEO of Blindside Networks and co-founder of the open-source virtual classroom platform BigBlueButton. 

In this episode, Fred shares his mission to eliminate the "back of the classroom" in digital spaces, arguing that virtual learning should never be a passive experience like watching a YouTube video.

We dive deep into the science of active learning and why "purposeful struggle" is the essential "burn" required for neural pathways to actually change. Fred provides a candid take on the rise of AI in education, warning that while it is a powerful tool for educators to gain back time, it risks becoming "ultra-processed food" for students—leading to cognitive offloading rather than true mastery.

Key topics discussed include:

• Active Learning vs. Passive Meetings: Why tools designed for business meetings (like Zoom and Teams) often fail the pedagogical needs of a classroom.
• Using digital analytics to help teachers identify struggling students and provide mentorship at the upper end of a learner's ability.
• The "Oreo Cookie" of AI: Navigating the short-term incentives of AI shortcuts versus the long-term rewards of mental effort.
• Social Constructivism: How the integration of Moodle and BigBlueButton creates a social environment where learners help one another.
• Fred's take on "The Future of Education"

Whether you are an educator looking to increase student engagement or a learner navigating the age of AI, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to ensure "learning never stops".

Catch Fred at https://blindsidenetworks.com/ or https://bigbluebutton.org/ or connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ffdixon/

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In this episode, we sit down with Liz Starbuck Greer following her impactful session at MoodleMoot Global 2025, which was a firm favourite amongst attendees.

While educators often focus on providing tools, Liz argues that tools are only half the battle. She will dive into the concept of ‘Digital Capital’ - the unique blend of skills, confidence, and networks that determines a learner’s success in a virtual world.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why access is more than just having a laptop or smartphone.
• How to identify and support learners with low digital capital.
• The intersection of accessibility, equity, and Moodle design.
• Practical ways to build "digital confidence" into your curriculum.

This episode was hosted by Shalimar Anderson and Dan Lehner. 

Watch Liz's presentation from MoodleMoot Global 2025: What is digital capital and why should you care on YouTube. 

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Listen in as Moodle HQ's Shalimar Anderson talks with Moodle Moot Global keynote speakers Dr. Naeema Pasha, Moodle CEO Scott Anderberg, and Marie Achour, Chief Product Officer at Moodle.

The group explores the future of education and work, touching on the human-AI relationship, the importance of curiosity, and why our innate desire to learn gives them hope for the future. You'll hear why Moodle is committed to giving users choice and agency in a rapidly changing world and what the speakers hope attendees will take away from their MoodleMoot Global experience in September.

Plus, get a sneak peek at the party theme and some tips for your costume!

Join us for a fascinating conversation that will challenge you to think differently about how we learn, work, and shape tomorrow. 

#MootGlobal25 

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Join Dr Mark Glynn (Head of Business Development at Catalyst IT Europe) and Jessica Gramp (Moodle Community Manager at Moodle HQ) as they discuss the Moodle Maturity Framework 

In this episode, they:

• Introduce the Moodle Maturity Framework and how it works.
• Share why evaluation frameworks are essential for strategic planning, quality assurance, and resource prioritisation.
• Explain how the tool aligns with JISC’s Digital Transformation Framework
• Explore the benefits for institutions, whether they’re just getting started with Moodle or looking to elevate their digital learning environment.
• Highlight why we’ve made the framework free and open to the global Moodle community.

Learn more here: https://www.catalyst-eu.net/service/moodle-maturity-framework 

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"In a country of so many billions of people and such little resources, how do you provide quality education to everyone?"

In this inspiring conversation, Tanya Tierney, Learning Platform Lead at the FABO community, shares more about digital learning innovation for humanitarian organisations worldwide. 

In this episode, Tanya reflects on what it means to create accessible, relevant, and locally grounded education in a world marked by stark digital divides, shifting funding realities, and rapid technological change.

 This is a deep dive into the challenges and possibilities of NGO learning, from the flexibility of Moodle as an open-source learning platform to designing for diversity and inclusion.

Whether you're an educator, technologist, or development practitioner, Tanya’s insights offer both practical lessons and bold inspiration for rethinking how we deliver educational tools. 

This episode was hosted by Barnana Sarkar. 

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