Migrating from Moodle

Moodle is an open-source learning management system built with PHP.

Key Similarities between Moodle and Paideia LMS

Moodle and Paideia LMS share some similarities that will help you migrate your courses and content:

Both Moodle and Paideia LMS are feature-complete learning management systems with course management, user management, assignments, quizzes, and gradebooks.
Both support course content organization with sections, categories, and modules.
Both include user roles and permissions (admin, instructor, student, etc.).
Both support various activity types including assignments, quizzes, discussions, and pages.

When you migrate from Moodle to Paideia LMS, you will notice several important differences:

Deployment: Moodle requires PHP, a web server, and a database, while Paideia LMS deploys as a single binary. This makes installation and updates much simpler.
Technology Stack: Moodle is built with PHP and older technologies, while Paideia LMS uses modern technologies (Bun, React Router v7, Elysia, TypeScript) for better performance and maintainability.
Plugin Architecture: Moodle relies heavily on plugins for functionality, which can lead to compatibility issues and management overhead. Paideia LMS includes all essential features built-in, eliminating the need for plugins.
User Interface: Moodle uses its own templating system, while Paideia LMS uses React with Mantine components for a modern, consistent UI.
Database: Moodle uses MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL, while Paideia LMS uses PostgreSQL exclusively, which provides better performance and scalability.

To migrate your Moodle installation to Paideia LMS, follow these steps:

Export your Moodle data:
- Export course content (courses, sections, activities)
- Export user accounts and enrollment data
- Export gradebook data and assessment results
- Export discussion forums and submissions
Install Paideia LMS:
- Download the Paideia LMS binary for your platform
- Set up PostgreSQL database
- Configure S3-compatible storage
- Start the Paideia LMS server
Import your data:
- Use Paideia LMS import tools to migrate courses
- Import user accounts and set up enrollments
- Transfer gradebook data
- Migrate discussion forums and activity submissions
Configure your LMS:
- Set up user roles and permissions
- Configure course categories
- Customize the appearance and branding

When migrating from Moodle to Paideia LMS, keep in mind:

Plugins: Moodle plugins will not work in Paideia LMS. Check if the functionality you need is available as a built-in feature in Paideia LMS. If custom functionality is needed, Paideia LMS’s modern codebase is easier to extend.
Themes: Moodle themes are not compatible with Paideia LMS. Paideia LMS uses React with Mantine components, which provides a modern, customizable UI out of the box.
Custom Blocks: Moodle blocks are not supported in Paideia LMS. Similar functionality can be achieved through Paideia LMS’s built-in features or custom development.
Activity Modules: Most standard Moodle activity modules (assignments, quizzes, forums, etc.) have equivalents in Paideia LMS. Check the Paideia LMS documentation for feature parity.