A Learning Management System (LMS) can be the difference of success or failure for an educational or business enterprise. In order to research and compare two LMS’s I chose Joomla (http://www.joomlalms.com/) and ATutor (http://atutor.ca/atutor/ ) to review.
Joomla
Communication Methods
Communication is both asynchronous & synchronous. Joomla offers forums and chats that can be added to courses. Embedded email allows learners and teachers to exchange messages and files can be exchanged using the Dropbox tool. Instructors can send announcements as needed. The Live Conference feature allows for online communication between learners and instructors, webcam, microphone, and use of a virtual whiteboard.
Content Organization
Content can be customized and roles (teacher, parent, etc) can be created. The courses in Joomla can be exported/imported, saved as templates, and filtered by category. The materials can be in various formats (zip, etc.) and can be uploaded, managed, and shared within the File Library. Learning Paths that set prerequisites can be created simply within the chapter and document structure for sequencing. Course categories and completion criteria can be configured. Waiting lists, course certificates, and course availability are features as well.
Interface Design
Joomla offers a publishing mechanism with its multi-language user interface. The interface can be reconfigured and edited using the Graphic User Interface and can be purchased branding free. The interface appears to be user friendly for both administrator & learner with backend easy use.
Capabilities
Joomla allows for assigning of courses through self-registration and self-enrollment (administrator approved) and manual registration and enrollment by administrators. Custom grading and assessments can be configured with the ability to export data from different formats. Users activities and usage can be tracked. Homework and quizzes can be created and assigned according to individual or group needs. Reports can be created, exported, and configured for learners.
Overall
Joomla appears to have many of the features that of an effective LMS. I like the ability to create courses, reports, and quizzes within the system as well as the ability to brand the LMS. I would like to see the eCommerce to be expanded to include the ability to buy books, etc. In regards to the
learner’s perspective it appears that there are learner centered applications throughout, Joomla appears to have done a great with the learner platform. My only suggested would be to have a dashboard for individual learners to individualize learning even further. I would you use this platform for a course within my area and can see it used with higher education, K-12 education, and corporations.
ATutor
Communications Methods
Communication is both asynchronous & synchronous. ATutor offers the ability for learners to communicate through ATutor’s private email system, their designed “User’s Online” tool, chat rooms, and discussion forums. Sorting of messages and thread can be done in various ways. Subscriptions to different types of forums, shared and community, and networking contacts or groups are ways that learners can interact with each other.
Content Organization
Content can be organized within ATutor using File Manager in either HTML or plain text with ATutor allowing for rearranging of content pages within the course. Links and images can be inserted while using the authoring tools. Files (zip, etc) can be created and ordered within directories, content can be uploaded and managed within the course. Import and export of embedded programmed objects can be done using ATutor.
Interface
ATutor allows the ability to create a custom version or modify an existing theme and can be either simple or complex depending on your needs or desires. The Theme Manager and web site allows importing of third party themes. Categories of courses can be assigned themes allowing for course branding with no programming required. This appears very simple to use.
Capabilities
Modules can be set up by administrators by types and can be automatically uninstalled when needed. Administrators and Instructors can manage and assign courses, create enrollment lists, add students, etc. Course can be individualized with custom course icons, custom splash pages, and unique URL’s for each course. Authoring tools are abundant within the LMS, with scripts and style sheets to control functionality, IMS/ISO AccessForAll support, and Test Manager. Numerous types of tests can be created (multiple choice, matching, open ended, etc) as well as the ability to create image based test items. Tests can be formatted and arranged to meet any need including mathematical notation, and can be presented as instructor desires (single page, one at a time, etc.). Import and export of test questions can be done, including test packages or questions banks. The AContent repository is available for downloading of content packages. Reports can be generated through the test manager.
Overall
I personally was impressed by ATutor’s administrative abilities. It appears to have many features that make the instructor/administrators job easier. I liked the ability to personalize so many things within the course. The aspect that was not describe clearly and seems to be lacking is the reporting aspect. Reporting is a crucial aspect in any LMS and it appears that ATutor is either in need of more reporting ability or did not list, which doesn’t seem to be the case as so much more was listed. In regards to the learner’s perspective it appears that the LMS would be more personalized and easy to use. I again would like to see a dashboard to help the learner navigate the system. I would use this platform for a course in my area and can see it used with higher education and K-12 education.
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