Today marks a significant milestone with the release of Moodle 4.5, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) directly into the Moodle core.
This update unlocks exciting new possibilities for educators and administrators alike. If you’re interested in exploring all the new features, check out the detailed overview provided in the MoodleDocs Webinar on New Features. In this post, we’ll focus on how to set up and use the new AI capabilities in Moodle 4.5.
Getting Started with AI in Moodle 4.5
Setting up the new AI features in Moodle 4.5 is surprisingly simple. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
- Navigate to the AI Setup
Head to the Site Administration page and click on the General tab. The AI setup options are conveniently placed in the first category on the page. - Choosing Your AI Provider
Moodle gives you flexibility in selecting an AI provider. For this setup, I chose OpenAI, mainly because I already had an account and the necessary credentials. - Setting Up OpenAI
If you’re using OpenAI, you’ll need to create or log in to your OpenAI account. From there, generate a new API key for Moodle. This part is crucial—without a valid API key, the AI functionality in Moodle won’t work. So, don’t skip this step! - Enabling AI in the Editor
If you’re using TinyMCE as your text editor, make sure to enable the AI features. Once activated, you’ll notice additional menu options appear in the editor. - Testing the AI
With everything set up correctly, you should see the AI functionality integrated into the text editor. The first time you use it, you’ll be prompted to accept OpenAI’s usage policy. I accepted and moved forward.
Using AI to Generate Content
Now that AI is enabled, you can start creating content directly within Moodle. Here’s what I did:
In a course, I added a new Text and Meda area. This allowed me to get to the new AI menu options. Remember, if you do not have an AI provider, you will not see these two options.
I wanted to test the AI generated text feature, so that’s the one I selected. The policy modal was displaced and you need to accept this to continue.
The following screen then asked for my ‘prompt’. Now, if you are new to AI, this is really describing in detail what you would like. Prompts are a science on their own, so I won’t dig into that.
I’m currently reading Zero to One by Peter Thiel, so I decided to test Moodle’s AI by asking for a summary of the book.
My prompt was: “Write an overview of the book ZERO to ONE by Peter Thiel. Keep the style of writing casual and informative so that it makes for easy reading. The summary should highlight the key points from each chapter. Include at least one quote from the book that sums up the book’s essence.”
However, I ran into an issue: an error message popped up. After a quick check, I realized that I had run out of credits on OpenAI.
AI Usage Costs: What You Should Know
Here’s an important reminder: using AI in Moodle isn’t free. Each prompt will use up a few credits, and you’ll need to fund your OpenAI account to keep generating content. AI engines, like OpenAI, require substantial computational resources to function, and that cost is passed down to users. Think of it like subscribing to ChatGPT or any other paid AI service.
Key Takeaway from My AI Experience
To keep things moving, I took a shortcut. I opened my browser, launched ChatGPT and pasted my prompt there. This allowed me to create an engaging summary of Zero to One. One of the key takeaways from the book is that innovation comes from creating something new, not just improving on what already exists. Here’s a quote that perfectly captures the essence of the book:
“Doing what we already know how to do takes the world from 1 to n, adding more of something familiar. But every time we create something new, we go from 0 to 1.”
If you’re looking for a guide to innovative thinking, Zero to One provides a fresh perspective on building something truly revolutionary.
Wrapping Up
With Moodle 4.5’s AI integration, creating dynamic, AI-generated content is easier than ever. It’s a powerful tool for educators looking to enhance the learning experience. And, at iLite, we’re excited about the potential of AI in education. Our Predictive Learning Plugin aims to help clients make the leap from 0 to 1 by delivering personalized, AI-driven learning experiences.
Feel free to explore the full summary created by ChatGPT here.