e-learning management system : a critical study

04/11/2023 Kaustav Saha, DRTC, Indian Statistical Institute

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e-Learning Management System : A Critical Study

Speaker: Kaustav SahaIndian Statistical Institute

Documentation Research and Training CentreSeminar (4)

MSLIS 2012-2014


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Overview

• Introduction

• Features

• eLMS Service Providers & Software

• Comparison of Systems

• Conclusion


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• Introduction

• Features



• Conclusion


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What is LMS?

• A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of e-learning education courses or training programs.

Source: http://bestcoursehub.com/home/1199/webinar-yawn-proof-your-elearning-without-busting-the-bank/#


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eLMS : Architecture

Source : http://training.lifesafety.com


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Why we use this?

• Improved training costs• Decreased material costs• Increased productivity• Standardization• Real-time access• Improved retention• Personalized learning• Knowledge management • Encourage sharing• No Biasness


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eLMS: Requirements

• User friendly and compatibility to work.• Rapid content creation, distribution and

authorizing tools.• Support for the tools used in content creation

(such as Flash, Word, PowerPoint etc.)• How the learning content is created and managed

as a “learning object”.• Performance and extendibility of the environment.• Multi-Language support.


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• Introduction

• Features



• Conclusion


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Features

A. Communication Module- Forum- Chat- E-mail- Announcements- Collaboration- Conferences


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Features(2)

B. Learning Modules- Study materials- Exercise- Tests- Course Management

- Administration of course- Assessment of tests

– Glossary / Encyclopedia


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Features(3)

C. Administration Modules- User management

- Tracking- Statistics- Personal user profile

- Rights Management- Installation of the new modules


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Overview

• Introduction

• Features



• Conclusion


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eLMS Service Providers

• INDIA– E PG Pathshala by UGC

(epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/about.php)– National Programme on Technology Enhanced

Learning (NPTEL) by 7 IITs & IISc Bangalore. (http://nptel.iitm.ac.in)

– Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (http://iimb.linkstreetlearning.com)

– Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (http://www.cse.iitm.ac.in/moodle)


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eLMS Service Providers (2)

• Other than India– Mooc List (http://www.mooc-list.com)– Canvas (https://www.canvas.net)– edX (https://www.edx.org)– Coursera (https://www.coursera.org)– Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org)– University of Central Florida

(http://www.graduatecatalog.ucf.edu/programs/program.aspx?id=1484&tid=1276&tpm=1)


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edX


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eLMS Software

Open Source• Moodle• ATutor• dotLRN• Docebo• Dokeos• Claroline• Ilias• Sakai

Commercial• Sumtotal• The Blackboard• Saba• Giunti labs• Plateau• eCollege


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Some open source eLMS software

NameOverview

The latest version Official website

Moodle 2.5.2 moodle.org

ATutor 2.1.1 atutor.ca

Sakai 2.9.3 sakaiproject.org

Claroline 1.11.8 claroline.net

Dokeos 2.1 dokeos.com


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Architecture of this SoftwareName Web Server Development

LanguageDatabase Operating

System

Moodle Apache PHP Mysql Windows/ UNIX

ATutor Apache PHP Mysql Windows/ UNIX

Sakai Apache Tomcat

Java MySql Windows/ UNIX

Claroline Apache PHP Mysql Windows/ UNIX

Dokeos Apache PHP Mysql Windows/ UNIX


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Moodle

• Moodle (acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) is a free and open source e-learning system.

• Moodle was originally developed by Martin Dougiamas to help educators create online courses with focus on interaction and collaborative construction of course content .

• The first version of Moodle was released in August 2002.

Source: http://moodle.haywood.edu


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Moodle (2)

a) Major advantages:• Tracking behavior of students more mature and perfect• Function of chat is good, users could exchange easily though it• Tool of RSS is easy to subscript resources of the platform.• Supporting more languages (almost 122 languages through UTF-

8).b) Major shortcomings:

• Visiting different courses requires different account numbers by one person

• The curriculum resources are not rich.• Filename of link must be English, causing inconvenience for

users in other language.


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ATutor

• ATutor is an open source & free learning management system.

• ATutor was first released in late 2002.

• Developed by OCAD University research centre.

Source: https://www.amahi.org/apps/atutor


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ATutor (2)

a) Major advantage:• System is user friendly.• Uploading forms from users in bulk is convenient.• Uploading audio and video by Users.• It supports multi languages. (20 languages UTF-8

available)

b) Major shortcomings:• But it is not efficient in supporting other languages.• Kinds of additional tools are few.


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Sakai

• Sakai is a community of academic institutions, commercial organizations and individuals who work together to develop a common Collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE).

• The Sakai CLE is a free Course Management System. The Sakai CLE is used for teaching, research and collaboration.

• Sakai was developed by MIT, University of Michigan, Stanford University and others.

Source : https://confluence.sakaiproject.org/display/COMM/Sakai+logo+policy


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Sakai (2)

a) Major advantage:• Facilitates easy exchange of information among web

based user communities.• It is very convenient to transplant one existent database

to the new platform.• It is easy to join and set up a more powerful platform.• Having more tools.

b) Major shortcomings:• Architecture of system is complex.• Interface of system is confusing and is hard to operate.• Installation is very hard.


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Claroline

• Claroline is a collaborative eLearning and eWorking platform.

• This is a free and open source eLearning software.

• It was developed by UCL/IPM and ECAM

Source: http://clusters.wallonie.be/infopole-en/consortium-claroline.html?IDC=1649&IDD=6793


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Claroline (2)

a) Major advantage:• It is easy to create a course by user who has less

experience.• It manages achievement of students.• Group tool eases group learning.

b) Major shortcomings:• Function of chat is not good, students not willing to

use it.• Tool attachment for students is few.


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Dokeos

• Dokeos is an open source corporate learning suite with four components:– AUTHOR to build elearning content,– eLMS to handle interaction with learners,– SHOP to sell a course catalog, and – EVALUATE for assessment and certification.

Source : http://dokeos.com/en/node/507


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Dokeos (2)

a) Major advantage:• Function of supporting video is stronger.• Online tests are perfect, provides many test types.• It is easy to create a learning path for teachers.

b) Major shortcomings:• Lesser tools for students.• Not well equiped to support all languages, errors may

appear when browsed.


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Overview

• Introduction

• Features



• Conclusion


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Comparison of Systems Module Forum Chat Mail/

Messages

Announcements

Collaboration

ConferencesName

Moodle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

ATutor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Sakai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Claroline Yes No Yes Yes Yes No

Dokeos Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes


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Comparison of Systems(2)Modules Study

MaterialsExercise Tests Course Management Glossary/

EncyclopediaAdministr

ationAssessmentNames

Moodle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Atutor Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Sakai No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Claroline Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Dokeos Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Kaustav Saha, DRTC, Indian Statistical Institute

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Comparison of Systems(3)Modules User Management Rights

ManagementInstallation of the new modulesNames Tracking Statistics Personal user

profile

Moodle Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Atutor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Sakai Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Claroline No Yes Yes Yes No

Dokeos No Yes Yes Yes Yes

04/11/2023


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Comparison of Systems (in points)Name Yes No Percentage (%)

(=((No of yes/17)*100)

Moodle 17 0 100

Atutor 15 2 88.24

Sakai 15 2 88.24

Claroline 12 5 70.59

Dokeos 16 1 94.12


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Overview

• Introduction

• Features



• Conclusion


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Conclusion

• The present study focuses only on open source eLMS.

• It was observed that Moodle evolved as the most adaptable eLMS in comparison to the other eLMS.

• Though all eLMS have many common features, but there are variations.

• Though there are lots of e-learning systems, but still there exists some problems with such systems.


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Barriers of eLMS

• Personal barriers– Attitude towards e-learning – Learning style or preferences

• Organizational barriers– Lack of time for study– Interpersonal barriers– Registration system problems


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Barriers of eLMS(2)

• Technological barriers– Quality of e-learning platforms.– Limitations of technical support.– Loss of data.

• Content suitability barrier– content bad-suited to the audience.– Poorly constructed assessment.


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Barriers of eLMS(3)

• Instructional barriers– Lack of progress report and feedback.– Poor instructional design.– Limited reference materials.– Access and navigation problems.– Unclear or inconsistent instructions.– Inability to save work.– Lack of learner technical skills and accessibility

issues


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Future of eLMS

A. Teacher’s function could not be embodied well.

B. Diagnostic assessment is short.C. Lacks in evaluation-centric and student-

centric approach. D. Personalized service is sufficient.


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References• Atutor. http://www.atutor.ca• Claroline. http://www.claroline.net• Dokeos. http://www.dokeos.com• Moodle. http://www.moodle.org• Sakai. http://www. sakaiproject.org• The Rapid E- Learning Blog

(http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/why-e-learning-is-so-effective)

• N. Ruiz Reyes, P. Vera Candeas, S. García Galán, R. Viciana, F. Cañadas, P.J. Reche. Comparing open-source e-learning platforms from adaptivity point of view, IEEE Xplore. 2009

• Sabine Graf & Beate List. An Evaluation of Open Source E-Learning Platforms Stressing Adaptation Issues. Proceedings of the Fifth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT’05), 2005


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References (2)• Katarzyna Harezlak & Aleksandra Werner. Extension of the MOODLE e-learning

Platform with Database Management Mechanisms. IEEE Xplore. 2010.• TARIK MCHICHI, PASCAL ESTRAILLIER, KARIM AFDEL. Web 2.0 Based E-Learning.

IEEE Xplore. 2010.• George Suciu, Traian-Lucian Militaru, Cristian-George Cernat, Gyorgy Todoran,

Vlad-Andrei Poenaru. Platform for Online Collaboration and e-Learning in Open Source Distributed Cloud Systems . 54th International Symposium ELMAR-2012, 12-14 September 2012, Zadar, Croatia.

• Cansu Cigdem Aydin, Guzin Tirkes. Open Source Learning Management Systems in E-Learning and Moodle. IEEE EDUCON Education Engineering 2010 – The Future of Global Learning Engineering Education. 2010.

• Sheo Kumar, Anil Kumar Gankotiya, Dr. (Mrs.) Kamlesh Dutta. Comparative Study of MOODLE with other e-Learning Systems. IEEE Xplore, 2011.

• P G Tadasad. Intregated Learning Management System. National Conference on ILMS. Karnataka. 2012.


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Thank You

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Any Questions?

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