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LMS minimum definition
Previous evaluation suggests that many pieces of software are labelled as ‘Learning Management System’ but actually fall short in terms of functionality (Commonwealth of Learning: LMS open source or Evaluative study from Federal Ministry of Education in Austria). For this reason the starting sample for this evaluation will be screened for conformity to this minimum definition.
First we provide a minimum definition of what we call a Learning Management System. This minimum definition is based on a study by Peter Baumgartner, E-learning Praxishandbuch: Auswahl von Lernplattformen, Innsbruck, 2002.
We employ the minimum definition as a benchmark to decide whether a certain system will be evaluated according to the criteria catalogue or has to be dropped.
The minimum definition results in crucial criteria. Systems that do not conform to the minimum definition will be excluded from the evaluation.
- 1. The Learning Management System is open source. The quality assessment focuses exclusively on open source technology, commercial products are excluded from evaluation.
- 2. It is browser-accessible. The Learning Management System should be based on the HTTP protocol in order to be accessible through a standard web browser.
- 3. The authoring options as the learning management features can be operated without needing to purchase for any additional plug-ins or viewers.
- 4. There are basic features for administration, users can be administrated.
- 5. The system must offer an authentication feature.
- 6. The system must offer a rights management for permissions.
- 7. The system must be open to localisation.
- 8. The learner can interact via the browser with the teacher, the system and other learners. Their communication must be supported electronically.
- 9. There are basic features for learners to assess and reflect their progress. There are basic features for at least authoring of tests and assessment.
- 10. There are features for course management.
- 11. There are features for content management.
