Importing Users into Moodle from SIMS

[Ric_]

Here is my problem...

I want to import a list of names into Moodle along with their associated classes so that they will be enroled automagically.

I can get SIMS to dump the list of kids but the closest I can get to having their classes is to use NOVA-T to produce a CSV of names along with classes (except that the classes appear more than once on each row).

I do not have the option of using another method of doing things... this is a hosted instance of Moodle, bringing the VLE internally would require hardware and more work on my part.

Any ideas?

[Geoff]

Here is info on the format of the CSV file moodle wants:

http://docs.moodle.org/en/Flat_file

I think doing a custom report in Sims.net will do what you want?

Also be aware that you're limited to assigning pupils to five courses if you import this way.

In the long run, LDAP is a much more scalable method.

[SimpleSi]

@geoff
Can you use LDAP to authenticate users on a CLEO hosted Moodle?

regards

Simon

[Geoff]

No.

[Ric_]

The problem is the production of the custom report... because of the way the classes are linked to the pupils (it seems they are in tables linked to each pupil) you seem to get the classes appearing more than once.

LDAP is better but, as you know Geoff, that is not currently an option with the CLEO hosted offering.

Looks like I may need to find a plan B.

[Geoff]

I still maintain hosting it yourself is a better deal.

[Ric_]

I still maintain hosting it yourself is a better deal.

Not without the funds for hardware and an insufficient number of staff.

Take the following example...
1* New Technician + 1* New Server
= £14k + £2k
= £16k

So £16k in year one for a system that may or may not get used isn't worth while. We need to try the CLEO hosted service first (since we have effectively paid for it and all the maintenance is done for us and we won't be getting a refund if we don't use it!) and if we desire more freedom, etc. in the future we can consider it then.

[alan-d]

Just for clarification - why do you need another technician?

(I'm trying to justify having another permanent technician - I just want to know if your reasoning is the same as mine )

[john]

Mine would be you need someone to tidy up and make the tea

[mighty.grey.eagle]

Looks like I may need to find a plan B.

Plan B might be to wait a while. CLEO are trying to set something up at the moment. The time frame might be a little too long for you though - the Autumn term I think.

Alternative might be to import everybody into Moodle and then give enrolment keys for the various courses.

[Ric_]

@mighty.grey.eagle: I know that CLEO are working on something... we shall see.

@alan-d: The very fact that you use the word 'another' in your post clearly shows that you have less need of a subordinate than me I currently manage approx. 250 machines on my own and everything ticks along just nicely but I have seriously engineered the network around there being one person (you have to love thin client!). I think that the addition of VLE maintenance or further machines would stretch my time a little too far... I can only just keep up with the policy-type stuff that a network manager should be doing as it is. The menial jobs would also get done a little quicker.

[Sypher]

I still maintain hosting it yourself is a better deal.

Given CLEO offer a resilient, backed-up hosted service, where you don't have to worry about upgrades etc, and they have plans in the future for full load-balancing across multiple sites, as well as single-sign-on integration and account population, I'd be interested to hear the reasoning behind this?

Yes, you could do it yourself, but then you have to buy, manage and run the hardware, backup all your data, and spend a lot of time playing with it -- since CLEO does this free, what are the advantages? What major things do you feel are missing, that you would be willing to pay for (which is essentially what you're doing when you run your own)

[kylewilliamson]

Do you have SQL access ? If so, it's possible to talk direct to moodle's database to buld a NOVA-MOODLE importer

[webman]

The main advantage of internally hosted Moodle is single sign on with existing LDAP,faster access times, and you can still access it if the Internet goes down for whatever reason.

[CyberNerd]

Yes, you could do it yourself, but then you have to buy, manage and run the hardware, backup all your data, and spend a lot of time playing with it -- since CLEO does this free, what are the advantages? What major things do you feel are missing, that you would be willing to pay for (which is essentially what you're doing when you run your own)

I'd say the advantage is flexibility, the userbase and open nature of Moodle dictate that new educational ideas are constantly integrated. IMO the costs of running in-house services are often exaggerated. We already have web servers here - the back-ups are automated and maintenance is minimal. User documentation and support is readily available so a quick moodle install with integration to MIS was a no-brainer for us.