Moodle doesn't have "internal email" - how can we deal with this?

We at SUNY Delhi are using Moodle's built-in "who's online" instant messenger for short messages between users. This system is by default connected to users' email addresses. If they are offline for longer than 5 minutes, the messages are automatically sent to their webmail account - since we already have a webmail system. One can easily send messages using the "who's online" or "participants" links, or use search in the messaging system to find people and send them messages. It does store al the old messages, but it's not like an email box with "sent", inbox, etc.  - you just have to view the message history between users to see older messages.

The other thing we have is the Quickmail block, which can be added to any course and can be used as a direct interface to our webmail system.

I have heard of some schools using the OU Internal Mail plugin for Moodle - I believe Oakland U in Michigan uses this.

Did you send a document to teachers explaining them how the process would be?

Yes, as soon as we knew WebCT was "expiring" we started sending out notices. This amped up after we decided for sure on Moodle.

How was the transition period?

We started up some simple Moodle testing servers on a cheap Hostmonster.com account for starts, in about April of 2007. After we selected Moodlerooms for hosting, we set up a development server with them in Fall of 2007. Knowing our WebCT license expires in January 2009, and with a new fully online program beginning in January 2008, this made a perfect case for starting up our production server in December 2007, and running WebCT CE 4.1 concurrently with Moodle for 1 year. This meant faculty had plenty of time to move: they could adapt/adopt early or wait it out over one year. This gave plenty of time for converting courses (slowly as opposed to all at once) and training faculty members (again, slowly as opposed to all at once.) It happened quite naturally - a small group started very early, this group widened as time went on, and by Summer 2008, we had the majority of people moved. Now, with one more month to go before we're fully Moodle, there are smaller group of faculty to migrate.

Were they unable to use any CMS during it?

We ran WebCT and Moodle concurrently for 1 year.

Our WebCT license expires next September 2009 and we must enter into the transition period by January 2009. I would really appreciate any insight you can send to me on this.

The sooner the better. Set up a sandbox or 2 where faculty can just get in and play (like our Hostmonster cheap hosting account). We also used that to set up a separate instance of Moodle ONLY for converting courses from WebCT to Moodle, using the webctimport tool for CE.

Are you still using MoodleRooms?

Yes, we are. We've also toyed around with the idea of moving Moodle in house, but are still not quite there as we have limited staff and support hours.