Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Is Moodle the only Open Source LMS? - 11 Open Source LMS

In my personal opinion, Moodle is one of the best options for an open source Learning Management Systems (LMS). However, Moodle is not the only open source LMS.

Here is the list of 11 Oper Source LMS with a brief description. I highly encourage you to visit each LMS site and explore its capabilities pros and cons.

eFront Easily extended with modules available from the site.

Claroline This system is based on specific pedagogical principles. Supports online content tools such as SCORM and Wiki.

ATutor Offers tools for management of learning.

OLAT The winner of the “IMS Learning Impact ‘Leadership Award’ 2009 for best open source learning platform”.

Sakai Aimed at Universities was created by the Sakai Foundation.

Docebo Compatible with SCORM 1.2. Two cool tools that it offers is video conferencing and HR systems like SAP and Oracle

Dokeos Supports converting Office documents into Flash and user synchronization with Oracle and SAP.

ILIAS It offers collaboration tools such as chat and forums, and distribution technologies like RSS and podcasts.

openelms A business solution used by Merrill Lynch.

Ganesha This LMS developed in French but it can be translated.

.LRN Developed at MIT.

Do not forget to follow Moodlers Online on Twitter!!!

Links that I recommend!

2 comments:

darolmar said...

Hi!!!
From my point of view, almost all LMS are functionally equivalent: all of them offers the same tools to deploy an on-line course. The difference between them are, mainly, in the following issues:
a) Integration framework: how easy is to integrate the LMS to other corporative systems. From my point of view, Sakai is the best as JAVA EE arquitecture are specifically designed for this.
b) Installation: Moodle is very easy to install and installers doesn't need high level skills about PHP or MySQL. You have utilities that install PHP+Apache+MySQL on your behalf. However, Sakai is a much more complex platform and skill requirements for technical staff are greater: configuration is not easy. This makes Moodle easier to install and this is one the factor that made it more adopted than other platforms like Sakai.
c) First release date: Moodle is one of the first LMS. Deploying a virtual campus is a cost intensive process and once you have chosen an LMS changing you option can be very expensive. LMS change is common if you change from a propertary LMS to an open source LMS but transition between OS LMS is more difficult to find and manage.
d) Standarization: not all LMS offer supports for main standards (IMS CP, IMS QTI and ADL SCORM).
e) Internationalization: not LMS are able to change messages and L&F depending on user preferences and context.

Christopher Pappas said...

Hi darolmar,

Thank you for your comment. I believe that you absolute right about Sakai and Moodle. I am not familiar with Sakai but I have begin to exploring it.

Thanks,
Chris