EDT 8140 - LMS and Evaluation
This page reviews the analyses performed in the previous pages and derives a final recommendation for the LMS choice. A summary of each page is included.
Page 1 - Setting up the Course and Providing Content
While the initial course setup was easier to perform in Blackboard Learn, subsequent steps of creating learning modules and adding content via an HTML interface was more intuitive in Desire 2 Learn. In addition, the options for HTML content were greater in Desire 2 Learn. Other functions such as adding third-party material was similar for both systems.
Page 2 – Communications and Grading
Facilities for arranging discussions, creating student groups, and establishing synchronous conferences had more flexibility and functionality in Desire 2 Learn compared with Blackboard Learn. A particular shortcoming of Blackboard Learn was the inability to record synchronous conferences. However, since Blackboard Collaborate could be incorporated into the Blackboard Learn system (as it was for the Desire 2 Learn system that was evaluated), this shortcoming would be alleviated. Arranging the grading system and examining the course materials as a student was done in a different manner for the two LMS, but had an equivalent outcome.
Page 3 – Quizzes, Assignments, and Rubrics
The gradebook setup was greatly facilitated by a step-by-step “wizard” in Blackboard Learn which gave it a considerable advantage over Desire 2 Learn. Nevertheless, the remainder of these assessments favored Desire 2 Learn. A significant shortcoming in Blackboard Learn was the inability to review an entire exam as a student.
Page 4 – Options for Accessibility
Each system provided the means of adjusting assignment times for specific students who may need additional time for completion due to a limitation in their accessibility. However, the means to carry out these functions was considerably easier in the Desire 2 Learn system compared with Blackboard Learn. In addition, organizations which have reviewed and rated various functions of the LMSs for their ability to provide accessibility reached similar conclusions for the two systems. Neither was perfect, yet both were highly rated.
Page 5 – Course Customization and Audio
There is a trade off here. Desire 2 Learn has more options for customization including where links and widgets appear on the pages and the overall look of each page. The Blackboard Learn LMS has fewer options which makes it easier to make changes – there are fewer choices and decisions to make. For inserting audio, Desire 2 Learn has a function which allows audio to be recorded directly into the course material or uploaded from a standard audio file. Blackboard would require additional add-ins to record audio and uploading an audio file was not successful in the trials that I performed.
Page 6 – LMS Management and Costs
The costs for any LMS will depend on the institution’s ability to negotiate to obtain the best system which satisfies the requirements of the faculty and students. That said, it appeared from our interviews that overall per annum costs for Desire 2 Learn and Blackboard Learn are similar. The actual costs will depend on the various components that are included and, if the data are hosted off site, the number of students or courses that use the LMS. Technical and user support for Desire 2 Learn was considerably superior to that available directly from Blackboard Learn, where the best resources often were from other institutions which use Blackboard Learn.
The costs for any LMS will depend on the institution’s ability to negotiate to obtain the best system which satisfies the requirements of the faculty and students. That said, it appeared from our interviews that overall per annum costs for Desire 2 Learn and Blackboard Learn are similar. The actual costs will depend on the various components that are included and, if the data are hosted off site, the number of students or courses that use the LMS. Technical and user support for Desire 2 Learn was considerably superior to that available directly from Blackboard Learn, where the best resources often were from other institutions which use Blackboard Learn.
Summary and Recommendation
Several issues compel a decision which favors Desire 2 Learn over the Blackboard Learn LMS. The primary considerations which drive this decision are the higher degree of flexibility in course setup and design, the overall greater level of technical and student/faculty support, and the more intuitive design of the functional components of the Desire 2 Learn system over that of Blackboard Learn.
Several issues compel a decision which favors Desire 2 Learn over the Blackboard Learn LMS. The primary considerations which drive this decision are the higher degree of flexibility in course setup and design, the overall greater level of technical and student/faculty support, and the more intuitive design of the functional components of the Desire 2 Learn system over that of Blackboard Learn.