Moodle Administrator Qualification
The MAQ is a qualification program designed specifically for administrators of Moodle LMS and Moodle Workplace. It is not a training program, but a qualification process to validate your skills and expertise in managing, optimising, and maintaining Moodle platforms.
The MAQ is built on the DigCompLMSAdmin framework, which focuses on digital competences critical for Learning Management System (LMS) administrators. The framework has been conceived and developed by Moodle Pty Ltd, the core team behind the Moodle project. This eight-course qualification program equips administrators with the tools and insights to enhance their site’s performance, usability, and overall impact.
Course Description: The MAQ is based on the DigCompLMSAdmin framework, which articulates 31 competences across four thematic areas and eight competence areas: Infrastructure. covering the implementation and maintenance of an LMS; Operation, covering the configuration of the LMS for learning and teaching along with routine administrative tasks; Integration, covering enhancements to the functionality of the LMS and Practice, covering administrators’ professional development and experience sharing.
The eight MAQ courses, matching the eight competence areas, are online, asynchronous and facilitated. In each course there are formative questions to evaluate each competence, along with a summative knowledge quiz and short written assignment giving candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and share their experiences of managing their own Moodle site.
1. Implementation
An appropriate LMS is installed on an agreed OS with appropriate institutional safeguards in place.
1.1 Installation – Set up an LMS on a suitable hosting environment.
1.2 Security – Incorporate good practice in embedding security in the LMS.
1.3 Privacy – Enable agreed privacy procedures appropriate to the institution and location.
1.4 Site policy – Enable agreed site policies appropriate to the institution and location.
10 hrs
2. Maintenance and support
The LMS is regularly maintained and upgraded according to agreed deadlines.
2.1 Performance – Use recommended performance measures for optimisation and scalability.
2.2 Upgrading – Implement an agreed policy of regular upgrades.
2.3 Year end / Rollover – Incorporate regular backups and resets in line with institutional requirements.
2.4 Support structures – Support learners and staff to use the LMS.
10 hrs
3. Site structure
The LMS is organised in line with institutional requirements
3.1 Site / course defaults – Enable and record the most suitable site settings for the institution. Consider the use of course templates and site admin presets.
3.2 Course / Category management – Organise the LMS learning pathways in line with the needs of the institution.
3.3 Repositories / portfolios – Select the appropriate standard repositories and portfolios for learning and teaching.
10hrs
4. User management
Access to the LMS meets requirements and can adapt to changing needs
4.1 Authentication – Identify, enable and monitor authentication methods relevant to the institution.
4.2 Enrolment – Identify, enable and monitor enrolment methods relevant to the institution.
4.3 Roles – Assign, adapt and create roles appropriately.
4.4 Capabilities and Permissions – Make thoughtful use of permissions to extend or restrict capabilities.
5. Site appearance and functionality (UX)
The LMS is appropriately branded and offers an accessible, inclusive user experience
5.1 Navigation – Use appropriate settings and features to ensure users can easily locate everything in the LMS
5.2 Customisation – Brand or personalise the LMS with standard or contributed options
5.3 Accessibility – Ensure the LMS meets official accessibility standards.
5.4 Inclusion – Ensure access on mobile devices, via mobile browsers and the mobile app, and mobile-friendly courses.
10 hrs
6. Monitoring
Relevant reporting and analytics processes optimise the LMS for learning
6.1 Site reports – Run, create and, where appropriate share, relevant site reports with appropriate stakeholders.
6.2 Course reports – Understand and promote the use of course reports.
6.3 Analytics – Critically evaluate and implement, where appropriate, learning analytics.
6.4 Event monitoring – Critically evaluate and implement where appropriate event monitoring.
10 hrs
7. Plugins and Extensions
Plugins and external services extend the LMS.
7.1 Integration policy – Implement and update plugins and other integrations in line with an institutional policy.
7.2 Community contributions – Install agreed useful plugins from the Moodle Plugin directory.
7.3 Commercial add-ons – Connect to agreed purchased integrations such as Student Management systems or LMS integrations.
7.4 LTI – Evaluate and implement requested External tools, mindful of appropriate security and privacy settings
7.5 Web services – Understand and, where appropriate, enable and use relevant web services.
7.6 Open Educational Resources (OER)- Enable and promote the sharing of open content via Moodle.Net.
10 hrs
8. Professional practice
Experience is shared with appropriate personal, institutional and community connections
8.1 Community troubleshooting and collaboration – Report bugs and raise queries in the Moodle community via the Tracker and Moodle.org and contribute to the Moodle docs. Contribute within the organisation’s local or regional communities.
8.2 Reflective practice – Engage in post-upgrade reviews, discussions with other admins, personal journals / blogging
5 hrs
Guidelines
- The MAQ program is a 75-hour, fully online, self-paced training course that includes a weekly webinar (approximately 45 minutes per session) and runs for a total of eight (8) weeks
- All MAQ candidates are required to first take a 20-item pre-qualification quiz, which requires a passing grade of 70%, with a maximum of two attempts.
- Candidates who meet the required score may proceed directly to the MAQ program.
- The program duration is eight (8) weeks, with an estimated total of 75 hours needed to complete the course.
- Participants are enrolled for six months, which allows approximately 8 to 10 hours per week to complete lessons, assessments, and other related activities necessary to acquire a certificate of completion.
- Participants will receive a calendar invitation prior to the scheduled webinars.
- Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to download their certificate.
Jociel Anne Lucido
Trainer
Jociel is a Senior LMS Support Specialist and Certified Moodle Administrator at Nephila Web Technology Inc., the first Certified Moodle Partner in the Philippines. A Cum Laude graduate of BS Computer Engineering from PUP Manila, she supports clients through user assistance, application troubleshooting, and server-level issue resolution. She also facilitates training for Site Administrators and Course Creators, both online and onsite, to help them manage Moodle effectively.
Sheryl Villaroman
Trainer
Sheryl is the President of Nephila web Technology Inc. She has been using and teaching Moodle since 2007. With her strong background in Computer Science and in Moodle she has helped many implementations of Moodle in different schools and organizations in the Philippines and abroad. She is the first Certified Moodle Educator in the Philippines awarded by the Moodle HQ.
Ricangela Sacdalan
Trainer
Rica is an educator with a strong background in Computer Science, she is an experienced Moodler, and have been using Moodle for three (5) years now. She is involved in facilitating Moodle Trainings for Teachers, and the onboarding of new clients to ensure success in their Moodle implementation. She holds the position of a Senior Support Specialist in Moodle at Nephila Web.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Here are some FAQs that clients asked about Moodle Educators Certification
What happens if a candidate fails an MAQ course?
If they fail one MAQ course they will not be eligible for the Moodle Administrator Qualification certificate. Candidates will be paused from the MAQ program and they will be redirected to continue with some training. Candidates will be able to return to the MAQ at a later time, three to six months later, once they have gained some experience. If they want to receive the Certificate, they will need to pay again for and retake the particular course(s). They will need to complete this process within two years of starting the MAQ.
What happens if a candidate does not reach 80% on the quiz?
If candidates do not reach the 80% on the ‘Knowledge quiz’ that assess capabilities, they will not be awarded the course badge and consequently, they will not be eligible for the Moodle Administrator Qualification certificate, even if they successfully complete the summative Assignment.
What happens if a candidate does not reach 80% in the assignment?
If a candidate does not reach the 80% in the assignment, they may update their submission twice, following the feedback from their facilitator. If they do not reach 80% after this, they fail in that particular course, and consequently they will not be eligible for the Moodle Administrator Qualification certificate.
What is the estimated time needed for each MAQ course?
The exact time needed for the MAQ depends on your experience and Moodle expertise, but it is estimated that each course needs about ten hours to complete, except the Professional Practice one that is estimated at five hours.
Does the MAQ expire?
Yes. Holders of the MAQ will be able to renew their qualification every two years by taking a short course that will ensure their skills are up-to-date.
How are MAQ assignments assessed?
MAQ written assignments are assessed with a straightforward rubric, visible to the candidate, where each response is graded as not complete, partially or fully complete.
What do they say about MEC?
“By taking this certification program, I was equipped with practical tools to improve our site’s performance, security, and user experience. It also keeps me updated with the latest developments, new features, and admin best practices.”
“This program greatly supported my professional growth. Through the assessments, I was able to learn more and perform administrative tasks that validated my skills and experience as a Moodle administrator.”
“The certification program gave me the confidence to manage our Moodle site more effectively. I can now troubleshoot issues faster and implement solutions that make a real difference to our users.”
“I appreciated how the program combined theory with practical application. The activities mirrored real-world scenarios, which helped me apply my knowledge directly to our organization’s LMS.”
“Completing this certification not only strengthened my technical expertise but also enhanced my credibility as an administrator. It has opened new opportunities for career advancement and professional recognition.”
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