Dr Martin Dougiamas is best known as the founder of the open-source Moodle project, providing a free-to-use learning platform used worldwide in every education sector. Moodle allows educators to create a private space online filled with collaborative learning tools for K-12, higher education and workplaces. First released in 2001, Moodle is now used in 229 countries delivering online courses that have more than 600 million enrolments. Moodle is a key part of operations for leading education institutions like SIDE, as well as big organisations such as the United Nations, World Vision International and the US Defence force.
Martin was a primary student at Kalgoorlie School of the Air in the late 1970s (then part of the WA Correspondence School) and lived in the remote Aboriginal community of Warburton with his parents and pet kangaroos, communicating with his teacher and classmates over shortwave radio and plane-delivered worksheets.
Martin has a varied academic background with multiple post-graduate degrees in Computer Science and Education and two honorary doctorates. It was while studying at Curtin University that Martin began creating an online learning management system for students, and his childhood experiences prepared the ground for the thinking behind what he created. He continues to focus on researching how technology can support teaching and learning in open and human ways, aiming at solving the UN’s sustainable development goals.
As the CEO of Moodle Pty Ltd (based in Perth, Australia and Barcelona, Spain) he leads a company of 70 software developers and educators that guides and supports the Moodle project (including MoodleCloud, Moodle Mobile and other initiatives). Moodle Pty Ltd has also created a global network of over 80 certified Moodle Partner companies that has helped provide funding for this independent software project through a sustainable business model since 2003.
Martin Dougiamas has received numerous awards for his work, and was nominated for WA Australian of the Year in 2017.
