A Comparison And Evaluation of Course Delivery Tool of Open Source Learning Management Systems[1-13] A Comparison and Evaluation of Course Delivery Tool of Open Source Learning Management Systems Sheetal Uplenchwara, Dr. Manimala Purib aResearch Scholar, Allana Institute of Management Sciences, Pune bDirector, Jayawant Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Group of Institutes Email: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Online Learning is becoming an important tool to allow the flexibility and quality requested by learning process. In the recent past, a great number of open sources learning management system (OSLMS) have been introduced in the market showing different characteristics and services. All these OSLMS reduces cost acquired by proprietary LMS. Market is occupied with large number of OSLMS. So before selecting any OSLMS it is necessary to consider series of features, function and usability of the overall learning system. The main purpose of this study is to analyze and explore the right decision when choosing a suitable OSLMS platform to meet the requirements of education system. A different criterion needs to be considered while evaluating OSLMS. These criteria includes communication tool, productivity tool, student involvement tool, administration tool, course delivery tool, curriculum design, course delivery tool, software and hardware requirement, pricing and licensing issues. This study focuses on evaluation of course delivery tool of seven OSLMS which includes Moodle, Atutor, Sakai, Ilias, Claroline, Olat and Dokeos. Keywords: Learning management systems (LMS), Open source learning management systems (OSLMS), Group, Discussion Forum, Blog, Chat, Email, File Exchange, and Video Services 1. Introduction This paper evaluates seven OSLMS. Each OSLMS In the last decade the usage of Internet has been program is based on the ability to accommodate increased gradually and new technologies have different active learning experiences in online improved students education. Based on the new courses. The selected OSLMS are Moodle, Atutor, technologies, learning environments are able to Olat, Sakai, Ilias, Claroline, and Dokeos. provide a wide range of educational alternatives. The comparison includes administrative, faculty Distance learning is one of these alternatives where and student perspectives. A LMS must address the student and instructor are remotely located and are needs of the ultimate end user i.e. the learner. Each flexible with respect to time and place LMS has key features that allow students to be constraint [22]. actively involved in their courses. LMS have significant role in distance learning, This paper is organized as follows. Section 1 which is also known as virtual learning represents brief introduction of paper. In Section 2, environment (VLE). Halls defines LMS as, literature review has been carried out. Section 3 ―Software that automates administration of training shows base for the selection of OSLMS, need of events‖ [13]. comparison for selected OSLMS and general information about selected OSLMS. A comparative In distance learning process OSLMS are widely study of selected OSLMS is presented in Sections used. OSS represents a social dimension of 4. Section 5 displays results of the study. Section 6 learning through a Persistent, Unified, Multi-User, represents conclusion of the study. and Self-Organizing environment extending beyond the traditional classroom where learners 2. Literature Review build knowledge and understanding through Jamil Ahmad Itmazi and Miguel Gea (2005) [16] collaborative exchanges both within and across have carried out paper surveys of 58 studies of subject area boundaries. comparison and evaluation of OSLMS and proprietary system by comparing functionality. INTERNATINAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT VOL. NO. 3(1), December 2015, ISSN NO.-2321-8088 Page 1 A Comparison And Evaluation of Course Delivery Tool of Open Source Learning Management Systems[1-13] They have recommended the most widely used proprietary LMS, WebcCT was at topmost OSLMS. Result of the study shows that WebCT is position. Amongst OLSMS, DotLRN was at the mostly used proprietary LMS and Moodle is the topmost position and Moodle was at second mostly used OSLMS. position. Matjaz Kljun, Jernej Vicic, and Branko Kavsek The report of commonwealth (2003) of learning [6] (2007) [18] have reviewed 31 LMS comparison has evaluated OSLMS like Moodle, Lon-Capa, and evaluation (research papers written between Ilias, DotLRN, and Atutor. Comparison parameter 1998 and 2006) papers. Comparison methods includes maintainability, usability, reliability, includes Feature comparison , Learning paths scalability etc. Each feature was evaluated on the support, SCORM specification, OSS compliance, basis of 0-5 scale. Study shows that Atutor has Student centered, Learning tools based, Technical supported 42 features. Ilias has supported 41 specification, Conversational Framework, features. Moodle has supported having 37 features Questionnaire based, Features usability, and Use- and LON-Capa has supported 37 features. case and feedback .The study reveals that present LMS development tries to catch up with standards, Sabine Graf & Beate List (2005) [25] have although the SCORM standard is unfortunately not evaluated 9 OSLMS. The main focus was on as widely supported. adaptation issue. Qualitative Weight and Sum Approach was used for this purpose. Comparison Peter Lengyel, Miklos Herdon and Robert Szilagyil includes Atutor, Dokeos, DotLRN, ILIAS,Lon- (2006)[23] have done the comparison amongst Capa,Moodle, OpnUSS, Sakai, Spaghettilearning. Atutor, Moodle and OLAT by considering various The adaptation issues include communication tools, parameters like support and compatibility to learning objects, user data management, usability, standards, content development, content authoring / technical aspects, administration, and course editing tools, modularity, backup tools, user management. Rank was given to each platform. authentication, video conferencing, group facility, Moodle has achieved the best evaluation values. chat facility, XML support, system requirements. Ilias has second rank and Dokeos has third rank. The study shows that Moodle was at higher ATutor, LON-CAPA, Spaghettilearning, and Open- position supporting 13 features out of 14. USS were ranked equally at the fourth position, whereas Sakai and dotLRN were ranked last. Atutor and OLAT have supported 9 features. Guzin Tirkes (2010) has [12] done the comparison Jing Liu, Men and Jun Han (2009) [17] have amongst Atutor, Moodle, OLAT and Dokeos by compared and evaluated 5 OSLMS namely Atutor, considering support and compatibility, content Moodle, Sakai, Calroline and Dokeos. They have development and editing tool, modularity, backup, not ranked the LMS. The study shows that Moodle user authentication, video conferencing, online is better for process assessment. Sakai can be used examination question, group, chat, email etc. for better summary assessment. For community Result of their study shows that Moodle had all 17 purpose Sakai is perfect. If the teacher is novice features, Atutor and OLAT have supported 12 user in teaching Claroline can be used. For features, whereas Dokeos has supported 15 functioning of videos Dokeos is best. features. Cansu Cigdem and Guzin Tirkes (2010) [4] have Barbar A.Lewis and Virginia M. MacEntee compared Moodle, Atutor, Dokeos, Olat. Result of (2005)[3] have evaluated WebCT, v.4.1; the comparison shows that Moodle has achieved BlackBoard, v. 6.1; Jones E-education; Educator; best result with many pedagogical features. Other Angel; .LRN; McGraw Hill Page out; Moodle; and OSLMS have all basic functionalities. e-College AU. They considered various comparison features like content development, Thair M. Hamtini and Hussam Nawwaf Fakhouri discussion area, group participation, calendar, chat, [29] have evaluated 9 OSLMS namely Dokeos, student study tool, audio, video, student progress Claroline, IWT, ILIAS, Moodle, Atutor, LON- and email. Study shows that amongst the CAPA, OpenUSS, ADA. The minimum criteria INTERNATINAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT VOL. NO. 3(1), December 2015, ISSN NO.-2321-8088 Page 2 A Comparison And Evaluation of Course Delivery Tool of Open Source Learning Management Systems[1-13] include Social Networking Tools, Productivity management, course category creation, course Tools & Software Installation, Administration setting features, enrollment methods, E-commerce Tools & Security, Presentation Tools and Material payment method. Distribution, and Management Features. Based on the functionality of these platforms Qualitative All these subcategories have different features. All Weight and Sum (QWS) and the Analytic of these features are evaluated by downloading Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach was used for each OSLMS from its respective site and then the evaluation process of these OSLMS. Intelligent installed. Each of these features and its evaluation Web teacher was at first position. Claroline was at result with respect to Moodle, Atutor, Olat, second position and Moodle was at third position. Dokeos, Sakai Ilias and claroline are discussed The most frequently used open source system in below. Jordan universities is Moodle. 4.1 Course Management 3. Selection of OSLMS Managing course is a tedious and time consuming From the above literature review it is clearly task. It becomes an integral part of the higher observed that most of the studies include education system.