Integrate BigBlueButton with Moodle LMS

Integrate BigBlueButton with Moodle LMS

If you are using self-hosted Moodle LMS, it already comes with a free-tier BigBlueButton integration provided by Blindside Networks.

The Free Tier Service Comes with a Few Limitations

• Each session can only last up to 60 minutes.
• A maximum of 25 concurrent users per session.
• Recordings expire after seven days and cannot be downloaded.
• Student webcams are only visible to the moderator.

To overcome these limitations and unlock the full potential of your virtual classrooms, you need to provide your own BigBlueButton infrastructure API credentials or obtain API credentials from a service provider according to your requirement.

If you are using Moodle Cloud, your BigBlueButton infrastructure is provided and managed by Blindside Networks, which is costly and less flexible in comparison to self-hosted BigBlueButton or managed hosting. Unfortunately, you cannot change your BigBlueButton infrastructure on Moodle Cloud plans.

BigBlueButton Hosting for Your Self-hosted Moodle LMS

At BigBlueButton.Host, we offer self-hosted-like flexibility with fully managed hosting plans for BigBlueButton.

We can also help deploy your own self-hosted BigBlueButton infrastructure on dedicated or cloud infrastructure like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

You need to subscribe to a hosting plan to obtain BigBlueButton API credentials. Then you are ready to integrate BigBlueButton with Moodle LMS.

BigBlueButton integrates seamlessly with self-hosted Moodle LMS, enabling you to conduct classes directly inside the LMS.

For Self-hosted Moodle LMS

1. Obtain BigBlueButton API Credentials

You need the BigBlueButton API URL and Secret. It should look like this:

• URL: https://bbb.yourdomain.com/bigbluebutton/api/
• SECRET: mqZgKaue7g3Lg0jA32Pi1TEpRzusK7P19wIKqJ0n

If you want to test integration before subscribing to a hosting plan, you can request TEST API credentials for development and testing.

2. Install the BigBlueButton Plugin (if not already installed)

• Check Site administration -> Plugins -> Plugins overview in Moodle and verify if the plugin is installed and enabled.
• If not installed, download the Moodle BigBlueButton Plugin and install it from Site administration -> Plugins -> Install plugins.

3. Enter or Update API Credentials in Plugin Settings

Plugin settings URL:

https://yourmoodlesite.com/admin/settings.php?section=modsettingbigbluebuttonbn

Copy the BigBlueButton API URL and Secret provided by your provider.

If self-hosted, this command returns your API credentials:

sudo bbb-conf --secret

Make sure you add api/ at the end of the BigBlueButton server URL unless your provider specifies otherwise.

Example:

• BigBlueButton server URL: https://bbb.example.com/bigbluebutton/api/
• BigBlueButton shared secret: 32100fdf6ee8exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Save the changes.

4. Enable the Plugin as an Activity

• If the plugin is not enabled, it will not appear in the activity section.
• Navigate to Site administration -> Plugins -> Manage Activities.
• Enable BigBlueButton activity.

• Once enabled, it appears as a course activity with default preferences and settings.

On Moodle LMS, administrators can search for "BigBlueButton" to find all related settings and configuration.

Video Tutorial