This course features an introduction to Apache, MySQL and PHP and how Moodle uses these. Apache has been the most popular web server on the Internet since April 1996 [https://httpd.apache.org/] and most Moodle sites run on Apache. MySQL is a cost-effective, fast, robust, and reliable database that requires very little administration. It's also an extremely flexible and scalable product. PHP is a widely-used general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited for web development and can be embedded into HTML pages.

Every Moodle Administrator needs access to a test environment. Installing Moodle is a relatively straightforward process, but ensuring it is optimally configured is vital. This course steps through the initial configuration of Moodle and explores some of the key options and settings as well as highlighting some of the common mistakes.

Every installation of Moodle is different. Making smart decisions about the site set-up and organisation early-on can pay dividends later as the site grows. Keeping your Admin workload down is important, as even a few hundred users badly organised can eat into your schedule. This course explores the best-practice approaches to site organisation and how to advise and listen to teachers and management.

A Moodle Administrator needs to know more than just installing Moodle, and updating. There are clever and 'not so clever' ways of managing users - including understanding the sophisticated roles, permissions and capabilities model. Smart ways of uploading and managing site-wide groups are also covered here.

The way a Moodle site appears is controlled by a sophisticated Theme engine using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).  There are approximately 20 standard Themes, and some of these can edited quite quickly.  This course explores how to quickly make the basics changes in Themes such as colours, fonts, and adding logos.

'Keeping on top' of a Moodle site takes time, and there are a whole variety of things a skilled Administrator can do towards running a top class Moodle site. Here we cover some of the most common skills an admin needs to stay on top of to run a great site!

This course explores the use of non-standard plugins; blocks, filters and some integrations with other applications. The practicalities, and risks associated with running a non-standard Moodle installation are discussed, and numerous add-ins reviewed and evaluated. Some 3rd party applications that extend the capability of Moodle are also explored.

There are lots of Administration concerns that do not fit neatly into the main topics of previous weeks. Some are isolated elements, some are just things we have found useful over the years. This final week provides a 'catch-all' opportunity and helps prepare you for further Moodle Administrator professional development.

This area is used for MoodleBites for Administrators to access their Certificate of Completion, and download an Open Badge.