INTRODUCTION

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software system designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting. A LMS will normally work over the net and provide a collection of tools such as those for assessment and communication. While originally created for distance education, LMS’s are now most often used to supplement traditional face to face classroom activities. The question that now needs to be considered is which LMS is best for learners, teachers and curriculum developers?

With the appearance of strong open source contenders in the LMS market, many schools are evaluating whether to stay with one of the commercial LMS products such as Blackboard and WebCT or move to one of the open source options which are free to use, but offer no support. There are many factors contributing to such a decision beyond price including movement away from a current LMS interfaces, technical support and buy in costs. In the end, it is a decision that an educational institution needs to be well informed about.

This blog aims to provide learners, teachers and curriculum developers with a platform to develop their own informed opinions about the different LMS interfaces which are available. The blog includes 10 sources to provide learners, teachers and curriculum developers a starting point to develop their own ideas about this topic. As you explore this topic please feel free to include and add your own links to sources which are relevant and allow other learners, teachers and curriculum developers to evaluate and develop their understanding of the various LMS interfaces.