How do I add live classes to Moodle: BigBlueButton, plugNmeet, Zoom or Teams?

There are four common ways, and they differ mainly in where the video runs and how closely it ties into Moodle.

1. BigBlueButton (standard Moodle activity). Already included in Moodle. The administrator adds a BigBlueButton server URL and secret; teachers then add the activity to any course. Sessions appear in the calendar, recordings show in the course and the activity can be graded. You need a server: the limited free service, your own, or a hosting provider.

2. plugNmeet (plugin or LTI). Install the mod_plugnmeet plugin from the Moodle plugins directory for calendar, activity completion based on attendance and participation, grading, and a recordings tab. Alternatively, connect it through LTI or point the existing BigBlueButton activity to plugNmeet's BigBlueButton-compatible API.

3. Zoom (plugin). The mod_zoom plugin creates Zoom meetings from Moodle and shows them in the course. According to its plugin page it requires a paid business or educational Zoom account, and its supported versions currently go up to Moodle 5.2. Video and recordings stay in Zoom's cloud.

4. Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Organisations that already use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace often add meeting links to courses, either manually (a URL activity) or with plugins. Integration is usually lighter: fewer Moodle features such as completion or recordings inside the course.

How to choose:

• What does your organisation already license?
• Do you need attendance data and completion inside Moodle?
• Where must recordings and data be stored?
• Does the plugin support your Moodle version? Check before upgrading, for example to Moodle 5.3.

Try your preferred option in a test course with real teachers first.