Learning Management Systems (LMS) can have a tremendous impact, not only in how education is managed within an institution, but in how the institution’s learners and administrators feel about the learning. With my own career at a crossroads, I find that comparing will help me learn how to make informed choices regarding different LMS, so that I can assist future employers in making decisions about LMS. In this paper, I will compare two different LMS: .LRN (“dot learn”) and Joomla.
.LRN Learning Management System
.LRN is an open-source platform that is founded on the idea that learning is a social activity, and that innovation within the platform should come from the users, not the manufacturer. .LRN was created to be flexible for both the learner and the instructor, so that learning can be based on individual learning styles.
Communication Tools
.LRN has both synchronous and asynchronous functionality. This platform allows users to integrate their own email account with the platform, as well as use the built-in email function. There is a real-time chat feature which automatically generates an archive of the chat for later viewing. Also included is a discussion forum, which can be moderated by the instructor, initiated by students and instructors, and users can post replies by email.
Content Organization and Platform Interface
The user interface looks easy to use, with tabs at the top of the page for navigation. Its layout is simple, without too many distracting elements.
Content Development and Course Delivery Tools
.LRN offers many useful features, most of them are customizable. In addition to offering some of the more common items such as grade books, calendars, news and email, .LRN offers a photo album, project manager, and expense tracking. The instructor can customize any of these elements, or use the templates that are provided.
Student Interface Tools
Students can take quizzes online, turn in homework via the .LRN dropbox and receive feedback from their instructors, and access the course syllabus. In addition, students can create a PowerPoint-type presentation via a tool called “Wimpy Point.” This tool allows students to collaborate remotely on the same project.
Considering .LRN is free and open-source, it offers a huge amount of functionality. It seems that the one place that you may have to offer up some money is in the support area if you need assistance with the product. Nevertheless, .LRN seems like a great value for a LMS.
Joomla Learning Management System
Communication Tools
Joomla offers live conferencing, with the ability to record the session for later viewing. It also has a “Collaboration Whiteboard” that can be used during the conferencing. There are also discussion forums, a chat tool, and email.
Content Organization and Platform Interface
Joomla has a hierarchical document structure. Joomla’s interface is similar to Moodle, except that it has navigation tabs at the top of the page, as opposed to being in sections in different areas of the page. Instructors can force students to follow a particular “Learning Path,” by specifying prerequisites that must be completed prior to moving on. One interesting feature is that instructors can view a statistical summary of a student-group’s discussion, in order to determine participation level of individual students. This would help with those students who tend to “hang out” in discussion groups, but don’t really add anything to the discussion.
Content Development and Course Delivery Tools
Joomla allows various types of multimedia files that can be uploaded for the learner to use, including audio and video. Instructors can create and insert new steps into a “Learning Path” as needed to accommodate the learner. Quizzes are also available, with custom grading and tracking.
Student Interface Tools
Students can use a “dropbox” for homework, as well as exchanging files with other participants. Students can subscribe to forums via RSS, or choose to have forum posts sent via email (single message or digest). If allowed by the instructor, students can also set up their own discussion groups. Students can combine their own notes with the course content in order to create a study guide. They can also create an eportfolio/webpage in order to display their work, but this is an add-on feature for Joomla.
All in all, Joomla seems to have the standard features that many LMS have. However, it is not free: the institution must purchase a license based on how many users there will be. Also, there are several add-on features (such as the eportfolio) that also cost money. If the institution requires hosting services, that too will increase the cost.
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