Viswanath Shankar has been managing and maintaining various e-learning softwares for the past decade and a half. A storehouse of knowledge about LMS (Learning Management Systems), He has been working in close co-ordination with web development experts to develop user friendly distance learning programs. It takes a professional like him to declare the big time arrival of e learning as a worthy substitute to conventional learning techniques.
With open source applications being the order of the day, LMS are not to be left behind. There is a proliferation of open source LMS in the market, with some having come of age and proving tough competition to their commercial counterparts. The use of these open source LMS in higher education is being hailed by academicians and students alike, which has seen copious educative institutions and universities adapting them. These LMS offer unique features which cater to varied requirements. Hence, no LMS can fit the bill of the best LMS. Trying to incorporate remotely connected features in a single LMS would be a sure recipe for failure. Thus, there cannot be a best LMS, but there sure can be one that is tailor made for your requirements. We have discussed the features of some of the most popular LMS here, to help you in your search.
ATutor
ATutor is an open source web-based Learning Management System (LMS), that provides easy interface and navigation. While courses can be easily created with the available course platform, course creation is difficult with different types of content. SCORM and IMS compliant content packages can be imported and exported, but the course elements cannot be bookmarked. Functions too cannot be easily added to by the developers, but overall, ATutor is designed for easy accessibility and adaptability.
Claroline
Designed with a shipshape interface, Claroline is marked by ease of use and a typical assortment of functions. Course creation can be quick and requires no training. Features such as a private document repository are beneficial for a group. But, the browse back control is erratic and all course elements cannot be bookmarked. The access to documents is not controlled rendering them prone to security concerns. Limited customization options and weak documentation leave much to be desired.
dotLRN
This open source LMS is based on open ACS – a toolkit – which is certified by the consortium of dotLRN. Tools like RSS feeds, emails and SMS notifications, surveys, IM chat, polling, blogs and FAQs support collaborative and community learning. Innovative features such as homework drop box, assessment, content organization and SCORM display are add-ons. Student tracking data can be exported while exchange of learning objects is also made possible. But, the diverse interface with its inconsistencies is its major drawback.
Ilias
A web based LMS and collaboration platform, Ilias controls access to documents flexibly, depending upon roles. This allows course scenarios to be more pedagogically effective. Authoring tools are made available to students, with the facility of hosting multiple clients on one installation. Finding functions is difficult, and requires too many clicks. A diverse group of developers are responsible for the project, giving rise to uneven quality and usability concerns. Designers are presented with innumerable possibilities that are a little confusing.
Moodle
An open source LMS, Moodle is easy on first timers by allowing them a jump start. Quick establishment of a course like content pages, forum, and quizzes, is one of its best features. The ability of the software to maintain advanced tools like wiki, assignments, glossary, survey, and lesson, without impinging upon the quality of its interface is something to cheer for. But, advanced features in the documentation can cause much despair because of ill designed documentation.
OLAT
One more open source LMS, Olat allows creation of random working groups by users with features such as file storage, discussion forum, chat, mail and announcement tools. The frame free design makes it intuitive for authors and students alike. Easily customizable CSS controlled look, clean interface and well documented technical architecture are added benefits. On the other hand, there is no keyword search in course content and discussion forums, no bookmarking facility, and no browse back option. The development and contributions come from a rather small community; hence productive installations are less in number.
Interact
Designed with a view to ease online interaction, Interact allows you to experiment with the learning structure rather than adhering to a predefined way of presenting content and interacting.
Conclusion
All these above mentioned learning platforms are efficient in their own ways, but different nonetheless. It is important to look at their individual functions and select the one that would be most suitable
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Learning Management System
- Free ROI Calculator: Interactive White Paper Helps Calculate the ROI of a Learning Management System
- Understanding LMS (Learning Management Software) Hosting
- Sumtotal Serves Up a Learning Management Solution for Leading Convenience Store and Food Retailer Sheetz
- Sumtotal Named a Leader in Enterprise Learning Management Suites Report by Independent Research Firm
- The Value of a Learning Management Compliance Solution
- 10 Steps to Justifying a Learning Management System for your Partner and Supplier Training
- Mlearning: Digital Learning in your Pocket
Online Training - A Virtual Education
By: Caitlina Fuller | 05/07/2009Online training can be considered a virtual education and can be the most practical type of education for you. Practical because it is not done in a classroom, it is done through the internet. The reasons that online training is becoming more popular are, first of all, a person does not have to travel to a school, college or any place of studies.
speak fluently in spanish language
By: suresh | 04/07/2009People of every matures and abilities terminate learn Spanish speedily if they select the appropriate method acting for practicing so. The successful supremacy of any language needs a compounding of proficiencies to assist prospering speaking, hearing and writing the language correctly. This clause will cover the most effective method acting's for reading any language, particularly Spanish.
Become a Beautician with Online Schools
By: Ramona J. Baca | 04/07/2009Online beautician schools could turn your career status around. Have you been trying to figure out how to get into the beautician scene, but never had enough time to devote to a traditional training program?
How to Choose a College Degree Online
By: Amelia Turner | 04/07/2009Many students tend to think that choosing a degree online is an easy job, with a few clicks they get registered for their favorite courses. Things do not go as simple as that, there are a few important considerations you need to carefully take into account in selecting a college degree online.
Why Learn to Sail?
By: search rankpros | 03/07/2009Sailing is the art of controlling the speed and direction of a boat by altering the rigging, rudder and centre-board to force wind into the sails. As both a sport and a pastime, sailing is a wonderfully enjoyable and satisfying experience that many people across Britain and world practise. But what is it that makes sailing stand out in the world of sports and recreation?
Online Education Schools: Getting your teaching degree online
By: Tis Amit | 02/07/2009If you are an educator or plan to make your career as one, but you are unable to attend university full time, then you may want to consider getting your teaching degree online. There are many online education schools which offer you several online teaching degrees which can enable you to become an educator or a teacher and pursue your calling.
Benefit From a distance learning degree
By: Richard Johnson | 02/07/2009Online education is there to cater to your needs of advancing your qualification. It is easy to accomplish, tremendously convenient, and quite less in cost as compared to regular courses.
Ajax Tutorial- Loads of Information Available Online
By: soloscript09 | 02/07/2009All that you wanted to know about Ajax tutorial is now worth referring at the online tutorial sites for a thorough analysis on Ajax with valuable resources and study matters.
Cheating in a Virtual Classroom
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 17/05/2007 | E-LearningSince our education system - be it traditional or online - places much importance on student performance in exams, regardless of the students’ overall understanding or knowledge of the subject, it puts students under immense pressure to perform well.
E-workforce
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 25/04/2007 | E-LearningToday, the business world has three very basic concerns: attracting, training, and retaining Intellectual Capital. Today’s workforce has a migratory nature; if they are not satisfied with their position or growth they will keep changing companies.
E-learning Tools
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 25/04/2007 | Online BusinessE-learning is a concept of learning electronically using the internet. This type of learning is particularly successful for higher studies or corporations.
Lms Configuration
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 24/04/2007 | E-LearningLMS Configuration Learning Management System (or LMS) is a software solution that enables the management and delivery of online content to learners. LMSs are web-based to make possible "anytime, any where, any pace" access to learning content and management.
E-learning
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 20/04/2007 | Online BusinessTraining in key business and professional skills in today’s competitive environment cannot be ignored if you want your employees to develop and help drive the growth of your company.
Corporate Turn to E-learning Solutions
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 20/04/2007 | Online Business"People are an organization's most important asset." this is the golden rule for any successful corporation. Passionate, educated, proficient people are the key to corporate success. To this end training expenses are critical investments in human capital, by corporations.
Why the Business Blog?
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 19/04/2007 | Online BusinessFor most people blogging is like a diary, a historical record of their thoughts. For other’s it’s a way of getting to know people in the virtual world.
E-learning in the Corporate World
By: Vishwanath Shankar | 19/04/2007 | Online BusinessE-Learning has progressed through the years from VHS video tapes, to elaborate synchronous online meeting tools through the internet. E-learning is not only being used in schools and universities but also in the corporate world.