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This paper presents a comparative analysis of Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) Learning Management System (LMS). Following a selection process we analyze the functionalities and characteristics of 8 tools commonly used in formal and informal education. More specifically we focus on the availability of different tools concerning communication and assistance, such as, forum, email, calendar, portfolios, etc. Our analysis showed that despite their similarities, the appropriateness of different FLOSS LMSs can be greatly affected by the specific needs of students, instructors and institutions.
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FLOSS in Technology-‐Enhanced Learning
Sara Fernandes, Antonio Cerone, Luis Barbosa, Pantelis Papadopoulos
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Aim & Overview
Aim
Provide an assessment framework for analyzing Learning Management System (LMS) tools
Assist teachers and Higher EducaJon InsJtuJon decision makers in the selecJon of the suitable LMS tool
Overview
Background Methodology
SelecJon Assessment Criteria
Results and Analysis Conclusions
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Background
Online educaJon
Natural transiJon of the InformaJon Society and Knowledge Economy Perceived as an innovaJon that has considerable potenJal for technology enhancing teaching and learning Promote lifelong learning Reach out to non-‐tradiJonal learners
InternaJonal crisis
Funding cuts on educaJon Need to reduce costs Maintain educaJonal quality Impact of Internet on InsJtuJons
Introduce new approaches into education that will enable governments to continue promoting high-level education
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Background
FLOSS – Free/Libre Open Source SoRware
Result of a development process that respects freedom
Takes place within communiJes
InternaJonal crisis and FLOSS
Funding cuts on educaJon Need to reduce costs Maintain educaJonal quality Impact of Internet on InsJtuJons
Applying FLOSS paradigm to education may be and advantage to explore
Allows insJtuJons to be more independent (pricing and licenses policies of soRware companies)
Empowers users with independency to run, copy, distribute study, change, and improve it according to their needs
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Background – some terminology
The use of ICT in educational context often requires the use of proper terminology.
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
SoRware systems design to support student learning.
Contain a number of presentaJon, assessment, communicaJon and management tools
E-‐Learning
The use of ICT to assist teaching and learning process.
Technology-‐Enhanced Learning (TEL)
Online facility (or system) that directly supports learning and teaching ( e.g. insJtuJonal intranet, VLE etc)
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Background (some terminology cont.)
Technology-‐Enhanced Learning Environment (TELE)
Learning environment that uses technology to enhance and enrich the learning process.
Computer-‐supported collaboraJve learning (CSCL)
Pedagogical approach where learning takes place via social interacJon using computer or through internet.
Learning characterized by sharing and construcJon of knowledge among parJcipants using technology (mean of communicaJon or common resource)
InstrucJon Methods
Used in teaching (Explaining, DemonstraJng, CollaboraJng and Learning by teaching )
CollaboraJve learning (CL)
PromoJon of collaboraJon between students
CollaboraJon between students and teachers
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
e-‐Learning 2.0
Social learning
PerspecJve that states that people learn within a social context and it is facilitated by concepts such as modeling and observaJonal learning
E-‐Learning was based on InstrucJonal Packets
Student perspecJve -‐ Delivered to the student using assignments
Teacher perspecJve – Evaluate the assignments
e -‐ Learning 2-‐0
Leads to the concept of social learning through the use of social soRware tools such as: blogs, wikis, forums, and chats, promoJng learning at a wider scale than individuals or learning groups, up to a societal scale, through social interacJon between peers.
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Method
SelecJon of cases
Source Forge Keyword “LMS” Weekly downloads URLSPY
Assessment Criteria
FuncJonal CommunicaJon Features Assistance Features
Impact Languages Total Number of countries where is used
Development of an assessment framework
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
SelecJon
Source Forge
Search of EducaJonal Projects in Source Forge (>100)
Keyword “LMS”
30 projects
Downloads
11 projects (Moodle, Dokeos, Claroline, Atutor, Sakai, ILIAS, OpenElms, Eclass.Net, e-‐Learning ApplicaJons Suite, Docebo reborn, BrilhaspaJ)
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
SelecJon
URL SPY
Database containing informaJon on hundreds of websites
World Wide Rank
Total Number of years that the tools as been available
External Links – number of websites that refers the project website
Number of pages – visited by users within the tool website
EsJmated Daily Users – esJmated number of users of the website tool
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
SelecJon
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Assessment Criteria
FuncJonality – correspond to features of the soRware
CommunicaJon features
Assistance features
Impact – correspond to the impact of each tool worldwide
SelecJon (previous slides)
Number of countries
Number of Languages
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Assessment Criteria -‐ FuncJonality
Forum – students can submit post in a discussion forum
Forum Management – teachers can create discussion forums, moderate discussions, etc
File Exchange – Files upload and download by teachers or students
Email – email an entire class by using a single email alias
Online Journal / Notes – enables students to create journal entries
Whiteboard – tool used by teachers and students in synchronous mode (virtual classroom)
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Assessment Criteria -‐ Assistance
Bookmarks – helps organize content
Calendar – Student and Teachers to create events in the online course calendar and supports announcements
Content Search – Allows the users to search for content
Orientation – Online help for users
Group Work – create groups for discussions, assignments, etc.
Community network – students can create online clubs, interest groups, etc at a system level.
Portfolios – Allow students to collect their work.
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Assessment Criteria -‐ Impact
Impact of each project by: 1. Analyzing data from the pre-selection table 2. Number of languages 3. Total number of countries
Relevant for the analysis of the concept of Learning 2.0 and the concept of social learning, since with these parameters we can determine the range of a certain tool.
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Assessment Framework
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Analysis and Results (2)
LSM tool analysis according to the communication features
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Analysis and Results (2)
LSM tool analysis according to the assistance features
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Analysis and Results (2)
Impact Criteria data
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Findings
Exception of Open Elms and ECLass.Net the tools fulfill all requirements for communication tools
Assess different Instructional Methods: Explanation and Demonstration methods are available in almost all LMS through whiteboard Collaborative model is available in Forum
Explaining and Demonstration methods are almost present in all almost all LMS through Group Work and Orientation Collaborative method is present, for example, Group Work Learning by teaching, where students assume the role of teachers, can be found on Community Networks
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Conclusions
Choice and usage of LMS according to social and economic viewpoints
Moodle more used
FLOSS tools are not 100% free
Despite similarities, the appropriateness of different FLOSS LMSs can be greatly affected by specific needs of:
• Students
• Teachers
• Institutions
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
FUTURE WORK
We intend to pursue the analysis of the 8 selected tools, through a usability point of view;
Conduct further analysis from an educational point of view concerning the support of instructional methods, such as individual and collaborative learning using survey techniques.
United Nations University - International Institute for Software Technology
Thank you!
“The fact is that given the challenges we face, education doesn't need to be reformed -- it needs to be transformed. The key to this transformation is not to standardize education, but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions.”
― Ken Robinson, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything