Desire2Learn Learning Suite 9.0
Desire2Learn Learning Suite 9.0 provides both asynchronous and synchronous communication. It includes email, calendar, blogging, and instant messaging (which can be turned off during a quiz). The discussion platform, which includes sound and video capacity, enables rating message postings, allows for offering participation incentives, and empowers users to call out key contributions. It supports numeric and rubric assessment types for ease of discussion grading, includes spell checker, and allows view by date, author, topic, or thread - all expandable and collapsible.
The interface design is intuitive and accessible, with a drag-and-drop interface, walking users through the creation of pedagogically-sound courses. It offers a variety of learning experiences focused on appropriate learning levels, with easy access to common management tasks. Recognition of user achievements, and identification of at-risk users is included.
Quizzes have a range of delivery options and question styles, while surveys and self-assessments offer immediate feedback. The dropbox is a convenient way to submit assignments. In the gradebook, grades can be entered in a simple spreadsheet-style interface, or imported from Microsoft Excel® or CSV File Format. There are competencies and rubrics to define transparent assessment criteria and create structured feedback.
This platform truly seems to have it all. It appears to be very flexible, with a wide range of customization options, directed learning paths, rapid course migrations, powerful import tools, and an intuitive interface. I could see it working for government, corporations, higher education, and K-12 education - although without knowing the pricing, I am guessing it is more than what is needed for K-8 and would not be a likely purchase.
Sakai 2
This product has a wiki feature, along with email, calendar, chat, announcements, blogs, and a discussion forum. I also liked that it has a glossary. Sites can be configured that are specifically designed for research collaboration or administrative work groups.
Sakai’s architecture is modular. There is an ePortfolio tool to design, publish, share and view portfolios of work, including something called Wizards & Matrices, for creating structures to help site participants document and reflect upon their learning and development.
Sakai includes a lesson builder, drop box, assignments, gradebook, tests and quizzes. I could not find too much specific information about these features. I was intrigued by the tool for seamless integration to library resources.
The new version 3 (which has not been released yet), will include a revamped user experience, a powerful and easy to use content authoring capability, and social networking features.
This product is distributed as free, open-source software. There are a large number of add-on tools (called “contrib”) available. It claims to be highly customizable. Because the source code is freely available, features can be easily changed or added. It seems to be used primarily by higher education. I'm not sure that it really has application to the corporate world or to government.
- Login to post comments