LeitnerFlow

LeitnerFlow brings structured spaced-repetition learning to Moodle. The plugin turns questions from the Moodle question bank into virtual flashcards and organises them with the well-known Leitner box system.

Learners practise in short, focused sessions. Correctly answered cards move forward through the boxes, while incorrectly answered cards can be reset, moved back or left unchanged, depending on the activity settings. This helps learners spend more time on difficult content and less time on questions they already know well.

LeitnerFlow is especially useful for revision, exam preparation, vocabulary practice, terminology training, factual knowledge, formulas, definitions and recurring self-assessment.

What LeitnerFlow does

A teacher creates a LeitnerFlow activity in a course and selects one or more question categories from the Moodle question bank. Each selected question becomes a card in the Leitner system and starts in the first box.

During a learning session, learners answer a configurable number of questions. Cards in lower boxes are prioritised, so learners automatically return to content that still needs practice. Once a card has been answered correctly often enough, it is marked as learned.

Teachers can configure how many boxes are used, how many questions appear in each session, when a card is considered learned and what happens after an incorrect answer.

How it helps learners

LeitnerFlow gives learners a clear overview of their progress and helps them focus on the questions that matter most.

Learners can see how their cards are distributed across the Leitner boxes, complete focused practice sessions and review their session history. Visual progress indicators, optional card animations and a guided first-visit introduction make the activity easy to understand and motivating to use.

Learners can also select individual boxes for targeted practice. This is useful when they want to focus on difficult questions, review weaker areas or prepare for an upcoming test.

How it helps teachers

LeitnerFlow allows teachers to reuse existing Moodle question bank content for structured practice, not only for assessment.

Teachers can select multiple question categories, define the session size, configure the number of Leitner boxes and choose how strict the system should be when learners answer incorrectly. The plugin also includes reporting tools so teachers can monitor participation, learning progress and session activity.

Optional grade integration makes it possible to grade learners based on the percentage of learned cards.

Key features

For learners

• Focused spaced-repetition practice sessions
• Visual Leitner box overview with card distribution
• Multi-stage progress indicator
• Session history with accuracy, duration and progress
• Trend indicator comparing recent sessions with overall performance
• Clickable boxes for targeted practice
• Configurable feedback style
• Optional card animations
• Keyboard shortcuts and automatic focus
• Guided first-visit introduction
• German and English language support

For teachers

• Selection of one or more Moodle question categories
• Configurable number of Leitner boxes
• Configurable number of questions per session
• Configurable threshold for when a card is considered learned
• Dynamic or fixed question pool
• Card selection priority: lower boxes first or mixed random selection
• Three strategies for incorrect answers:
  • reset to Box 1
  • move one box back
  • no change
• Optional grade integration
• Participant report with progress and session information
• Option to reset learner progress
• Overview dashboard with participant count, question pool size and average learning progress

Technical features

• Moodle activity module
• Integration with the Moodle Question Engine
• Support for the immediatefeedback question behaviour
• Backup and restore support
• Course reset support
• Event logging for sessions and progress resets
• Moodle Privacy API support, including export and deletion of user data
• AMD JavaScript modules for keyboard shortcuts, card transitions and confirmation dialogs
• PHPUnit tests for the Leitner engine and core plugin behaviour

LeitnerFlow does not require an external service, subscription, API key or third-party platform.

Typical use cases

LeitnerFlow is suitable for many learning scenarios where repeated practice and long-term retention are important.

Examples include:

• vocabulary learning
• language training
• definitions and key concepts
• technical terminology
• formulas
• factual knowledge
• compliance training
• onboarding knowledge checks
• exam preparation
• self-paced revision activities

Because LeitnerFlow uses the Moodle question bank, teachers can continue working with familiar Moodle question types and existing question categories.

Getting started

1. Install LeitnerFlow in your Moodle site.
2. Create a new LeitnerFlow activity in a course.
3. Select one or more question categories from the Moodle question bank.
4. Configure the number of boxes, session size and learning threshold.
5. Choose what happens when a learner answers incorrectly.
6. Let learners start their first spaced-repetition session.

After setup, learners see a dashboard with their current progress and can begin practising immediately.

Requirements

• Moodle 4.4 or later
• Existing questions in the Moodle question bank
• At least one selected question category for the activity

Privacy and data handling

LeitnerFlow stores the user-specific learning data required to provide the activity. This includes card progress, Leitner box positions, session information and learning progress for each participant.

The plugin implements the Moodle Privacy API so that user data can be exported and deleted through Moodle’s standard privacy tools. LeitnerFlow does not send learner data to an external service.

Frequently asked questions

Does LeitnerFlow work with existing Moodle questions?

Yes. LeitnerFlow uses questions from the Moodle question bank. Teachers can select one or more existing question categories when creating the activity.

Can teachers configure the Leitner system?

Yes. Teachers can configure the number of boxes, questions per session, the threshold for learned cards, the question pool behaviour and the strategy for incorrect answers.

What happens when a learner answers incorrectly?

Teachers can choose between three behaviours: reset the card to Box 1, move it one box back or keep it in the current box.

Can learners practise specific difficulty levels?

Yes. Learners can click individual Leitner boxes to practise cards from specific stages of the learning process.

Can LeitnerFlow be graded?

Yes. Grade integration is optional. If enabled, grading can be based on the percentage of learned cards.

Does LeitnerFlow require an external service?

No. LeitnerFlow runs inside Moodle and does not require an external service, subscription, API key or third-party platform.

Is user data protected?

LeitnerFlow supports the Moodle Privacy API, including export and deletion of user data through Moodle’s standard privacy tools.