| With open source applications being the order of the | | | | while exchange of learning objects is also made |
| day, LMS are not to be left behind. There is a | | | | possible. But, the diverse interface with its |
| proliferation of open source LMS in the market, with | | | | inconsistencies is its major drawback. |
| some having come of age and proving tough | | | | Ilias |
| competition to their commercial counterparts. The | | | | A web based LMS and collaboration platform, Ilias |
| use of these open source LMS in higher education is | | | | controls access to documents flexibly, depending |
| being hailed by academicians and students alike, which | | | | upon roles. This allows course scenarios to be more |
| has seen copious educative institutions and | | | | pedagogically effective. Authoring tools are made |
| universities adapting them. These LMS offer unique | | | | available to students, with the facility of hosting |
| features which cater to varied requirements. Hence, | | | | multiple clients on one installation. Finding functions is |
| no LMS can fit the bill of the best LMS. Trying to | | | | difficult, and requires too many clicks. A diverse group |
| incorporate remotely connected features in a single | | | | of developers are responsible for the project, giving |
| LMS would be a sure recipe for failure. Thus, there | | | | rise to uneven quality and usability concerns. |
| cannot be a best LMS, but there sure can be one | | | | Designers are presented with innumerable possibilities |
| that is tailor made for your requirements. We have | | | | that are a little confusing. |
| discussed the features of some of the most popular | | | | Moodle |
| LMS here, to help you in your search. | | | | An open source LMS, Moodle is easy on first timers |
| ATutor | | | | by allowing them a jump start. Quick establishment of |
| ATutor is an open source web-based Learning | | | | a course like content pages, forum, and quizzes, is |
| Management System (LMS), that provides easy | | | | one of its best features. The ability of the software |
| interface and navigation. While courses can be easily | | | | to maintain advanced tools like wiki, assignments, |
| created with the available course platform, course | | | | glossary, survey, and lesson, without impinging upon |
| creation is difficult with different types of content. | | | | the quality of its interface is something to cheer for. |
| SCORM and IMS compliant content packages can be | | | | But, advanced features in the documentation can |
| imported and exported, but the course elements | | | | cause much despair because of ill designed |
| cannot be bookmarked. Functions too cannot be | | | | documentation. |
| easily added to by the developers, but overall, | | | | OLAT |
| ATutor is designed for easy accessibility and | | | | One more open source LMS, Olat allows creation of |
| adaptability. | | | | random working groups by users with features such |
| Claroline | | | | as file storage, discussion forum, chat, mail and |
| Designed with a shipshape interface, Claroline is | | | | announcement tools. The frame free design makes it |
| marked by ease of use and a typical assortment of | | | | intuitive for authors and students alike. Easily |
| functions. Course creation can be quick and requires | | | | customizable CSS controlled look, clean interface and |
| no training. Features such as a private document | | | | well documented technical architecture are added |
| repository are beneficial for a group. But, the browse | | | | benefits. On the other hand, there is no keyword |
| back control is erratic and all course elements cannot | | | | search in course content and discussion forums, no |
| be bookmarked. The access to documents is not | | | | bookmarking facility, and no browse back option. The |
| controlled rendering them prone to security concerns. | | | | development and contributions come from a rather |
| Limited customization options and weak | | | | small community; hence productive installations are |
| documentation leave much to be desired.dotLRN | | | | less in number. |
| This open source LMS is based on open ACS - a | | | | Interact |
| toolkit - which is certified by the consortium of | | | | Designed with a view to ease online interaction, |
| dotLRN. Tools like RSS feeds, emails and SMS | | | | Interact allows you to experiment with the learning |
| notifications, surveys, IM chat, polling, blogs and FAQs | | | | structure rather than adhering to a predefined way |
| support collaborative and community learning. | | | | of presenting content and interacting. |
| Innovative features such as homework drop box, | | | | Conclusion |
| assessment, content organization and SCORM display | | | | All these above mentioned learning platforms are |
| are add-ons. Student tracking data can be exported | | | | efficient in their own ways, but different nonetheless. |