Functionality sources in Moodle

Updated on: 3 February 2026

Learn about Moodle's core tools, plugins, integrated functionality, and the support available at the University.

Core functionality

Core tools are a fundamental part of Moodle. They are developed and maintained by Moodle's central development team and are considered stable and robust.

Support level

Core tools are fully supported. The Technology Enhanced Learning team provides comprehensive guidance and troubleshooting for all core tools and features.

Use

Recommended for all activities, and strongly advised for any credit-bearing assessments due to their stability and high level of support.

Plugin functionality

Plugin tools have been added to Moodle to provide extra functionality. They are developed by third-party members of the Moodle community. While they offer useful and innovative features, it is vital to understand the associated risks.

Key considerations

  • They are not maintained by the University. Plugin tool developers can choose to stop updating a plugin at any time, which may make it incompatible with future Moodle upgrades.
  • They can be removed at short notice. If a security risk or major bug is identified, a plugin may be disabled or removed to protect the Moodle environment.

Support level

Plugins are on a best-effort level of support. The Technology Enhanced Learning team can provide general guidance on how these tools are intended to work. However, as the University does not own or maintain the code, we cannot guarantee fixes or troubleshoot complex issues. Support from the original developer is often voluntary and not guaranteed.

Your responsibility

Backup plan

If you use a plugin, you must have a backup plan. Be prepared to switch to a core Moodle tool if the plugin becomes unavailable unexpectedly.

LTI/Integration functionality

LTI/Integration tools connect Moodle with other major, standalone University services like Panopto, Turnitin or Leganto.

How they work

An integration allows two separate systems to communicate securely. Often, a plugin is used to enable the connection, which is why you may see tools tagged with both Plugin and LTI/Integration, for example, Gradescope and Padlet.

Support level

Fully supported. These integrations are centrally managed and supported by the University. If you encounter an issue, the Technology Enhanced Learning team will assist you and coordinate with other technical teams where necessary.

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