How to create a block for Moodle using PHP

Name: How to create a block for Moodle using PHP
Rating: 4.8 (11 reviews)

Step by step, detailed instructions taking you through the complete process from zero code to functioning block.

Highest Rated

Created byChris Richter

Last updated 10/2020

English

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What you'll learn

How to create a 'block' in Moodle using PHP
How to setup the folder structure for a 'block'
How to create configuration options in a 'block'
How to setup the access file for a 'block'
How to implement a simple YouTube Playlist view in a 'block'
How to add global administration settings to a 'block'
How to implement the language file for a 'block'

Course content

3 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 25m total length

Introduction1:05
Learn to build a Moodle block with PHP by creating a functional plugin, detailing folder structure, language and access files, versioning, the main block file, and settings.
What is a block?3:42
Explore what a block is in Moodle, how blocks act as draggable, configurable plugins you add to dashboard areas, set visibility and permissions, and customize their position and content.
What are we going to create?3:13
Build a Moodle PHP block that displays a YouTube playlist viewer via a web service, configurable per instance with a playlist id and video count.

Code for the Moodle block0:13
Setting up the folder structure3:22
Set up a new Moodle block by creating a unique folder in blocks, adding a DB and lang folder, and building the PHP file structure for a YouTube playlist block.
Adding the version file4:57
Learn to create and version a Moodle block by adding the version file. Set the plugin version, component name, and minimum Moodle version to ensure correct updates and compatibility.
Adding the access file3:28
Learn how to create a Moodle block access file and define capabilities to control who can add or manage the block across courses and dashboards.
Adding the language file2:23
Create a Moodle block language file in PHP by adding an English language folder, naming the file block_<name>, and defining the plug in name for installation.
Adding the block file4:50
Create a Moodle block by adding the main block file, extending the block base class, initializing the plugin title from language strings, and implementing get_content to display the block content.
Install the block3:01
Install and verify the Moodle block, upgrade the database, and add the YouTube playlist viewer to the front page, then configure global and instance settings.
Accessing the YouTube playlist RSS11:35
Learn how to create a Moodle block that pulls a YouTube playlist RSS feed as XML, using PHP to fetch content, handle errors, and convert it with SimpleXML for display.
Adding the thumbnail9:12
Learn to add YouTube thumbnails to a Moodle block by extracting video IDs, building thumbnail URLs, and using Bootstrap for a responsive layout.
The edit form file22:54
Add per-block configuration to the Moodle YouTube playlist block with an edit_form.php. Define fields for the playlist id, title, and items to display.
Adding global settings8:26
Learn to create global administration settings for a Moodle block by adding a settings file, enabling has_config, and loading a YouTube RSS URL from get_config to display a playlist.

Requirements

How to program in PHP
Have access to a development environment with PHP and Moodle installed
Have a basic understanding of Moodle and how it is used

Description

This course will take you through the complete process of developing a Moodle block. A 'block' is a special type of plugin that is used in Moodle that can be added to pages, dashboards and other display areas in Moodle. A 'block' has a unique set of requirements when developing in Moodle that will be covered in this course.

It is highly recommended that you have PHP, HTML, JavaScript and CSS experience before attempting to create a block in Moodle but it is not essential that you have worked in Moodle before.

This course will teach you the basic structure and requirements of a 'block', then take you through the actual process of:

Creating a fully functioning block
Adding the core files
Managing plugin versions
Adding the access file
Adding instance configuration options
Adding global config options
Adding the language file for the block
Completing a YouTube playlist RSS reader function to demonstrate the block
Publishing the plugin to your Moodle LMS

The block process is recorded using Moodle 3.9 but the code can be used in Moodle 3.7.2.

This course is primarily for PHP developers, but if you have understand other programming languages you should be able to easily transfer your programming knowledge to PHP and to this course.

Who this course is for:

Moodle developers and administrators with PHP skills

How to create a block for Moodle using PHP

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction3 lectures • 8min

Development11 lectures • 1hr 14min

Conclusion1 lecture • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: