The evolution of educational platforms: from traditional teaching to Moodle 5

Abstract

The history of education clearly reflects the social, cultural, and technological transformations of each period. For centuries, the teaching-learning process occurred primarily in classroom settings, with the teacher occupying a central role and utilizing resources such as chalkboards, chalk, printed books, and notebooks. In this model, knowledge circulated linearly, from teacher to student, in a predominantly expository and unidirectional dynamic. Throughout the 20th century, new educational technologies began to be incorporated into pedagogical practices. Radio, television, and projectors began to complement classes, expanding access to diverse content and encouraging new ways of presenting information. Although these advances represented important changes, the structure of knowledge transmission remained strongly centered on the teacher and the physical space of the classroom.
The digital revolution, intensified by the popularization of the internet, represented a turning point in this process. Instant access to information, the possibility of networked interaction, and the creation of virtual communities began to change not only the way content was made available, but also the very logic of knowledge construction. This shift paved the way for more collaborative methodologies, in which students take an active role and participate in interactions that transcend the time and space of the school. It is in this context that educational platforms and virtual learning environments, such as Moodle, emerged, capable of integrating communication, content management, and assessment resources in a single digital space. Throughout its iterations, Moodle has maintained elements characteristic of traditional teaching, such as the sequential organization of content and the central role of the teacher as a mediator. At the same time, it incorporated innovations that promote collaborative, flexible, and personalized learning. In its fifth version, Moodle 5 represents a milestone in the evolution of educational technologies, combining the continuity of established practices with significant disruptions that transform the educational experience.