Speaker 1: Welcome. Today we will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of four different learning management systems or LMSs. The four we will focus on today are Canvas, Moodle, Schoology, and Blackboard. The first LMS we will dive into is Moodle. Moodle is unique because it is an open source software. This fosters customizability and the community of collaboration where contributors share their creations and integrations. It can handle all sizes of institutions, big or small. Moodle's focus on accessibility also means that it can be translated easily into over 160 languages and accessed on a mobile device. While there are many advantages to Moodle, there are also some weaknesses that do not make it a good fit for institutions with certain profiles. While the open source model is attractive to institutions who need high adaptability, it comes at a cost. Moodle does not come with as many built-in integrations and features as other LMSs which may require third-party plugins. Getting the LMS up and running may be more time-consuming when using Moodle versus other platforms. Next we will investigate Schoology. Schoology is owned by the leading student information management system, PowerSchool, and seamlessly integrates with the PowerSchool gradebook and rosters. While other LMS also sync with PowerSchool, it is worth noting that Schoology is owned by PowerSchool and may be easier to integrate. One unique feature about Schoology is that you can award student badges for their efforts. This is consistent with the platform's integration of social media-like features in their discussion posts, news feeds, and groups. Plus, Schoology makes it easy to track learner engagement so instructors can see when they last logged on and how long they've spent in Schoology. However, Schoology has some negatives. When compared with other features of LMSs, Schoology is not as robust in its customization of the visual layout. Some users also feel that Schoology does not integrate as seamlessly with third-party education apps or features like Google Drive. It is also a newer platform, but it is gaining popularity. The third LMS we will discuss is the most popular LMS among K-12 and higher education institutions, Blackboard. Blackboard emphasizes the seamless interface across desktop, mobile, and tablet configurations. Anything that can be done on a desktop can also be completed on a mobile device. Additionally, Blackboard has an emphasis on customizability when it comes to assessment and feedback. Instructors can give feedback in multiple ways that fit their teaching style and the needs of the assignments. Students can hide timers during assessments to reduce anxiety and assessment tools involve a wide variety of question types. The advanced features of Blackboard also use gamification and e-commerce tools. With every software program, Blackboard has its shortcomings as an LMS. Blackboard has been criticized for its incompatibility for use with younger learners. The interface does not always translate well to the elementary-aged learner. It also does not include as many features for accessibility or encourage collaboration between learners when compared with other LMS. It is also known for being an older LMS and therefore outdated in some aspects. Canvas is the next LMS we will discuss, coming in at the second most popular choice with 21% of institutions and growing. Some of the great features of Canvas include mastery pathways that require a student to show mastery over a piece of content via a quiz or assignment before moving on to further modules. It also allows a student to video chat with their instructors within Canvas inbox. Canvas includes an LTI learning tool interoperability for Google Drive so instructors can insert documents and slide decks directly from their Drive. Canvas also has more choices for assessment questions than other LMSes. The negative aspects of Canvas include a lack of easy accessibility features, integration with some third party features may require the purchase of an add-on, and a gradebook that is not as robust as other LMS. Additionally, the gradebook has to be manually synced or scheduled to sync with PowerSchool if that is a student information system being used by the institution. Lastly, the mobile version of Canvas is not as user-friendly as the desktop configuration making it difficult for some learners to use. Cost can be a large consideration when choosing an LMS. Schoology and Canvas both offer a free version of their software with limited capabilities. Moodle itself is free but many institutions choose to use a partner to host their LMS contributing to cost. Blackboard does not have a free version but does offer a 30-day free trial to test its features. Specific pricing can be difficult to estimate because it depends on the number of users and the features that are included. However, a typical institution looking for average features should expect to pay around $6,000 annually and up to $12,000 annually for more robust features and larger numbers of users for Schoology, Blackboard, or Canvas. Moodle pricing is more variable because it depends on the institution's choices for hosting and integrations. Choosing an LMS can be a confusing and difficult process. However, following these steps may result in a better, faster outcome. This process was outlined by Steve Foreman. First, you need to conduct a needs analysis. Survey the instructors at the institution to determine what features they must have in their courses. Also consult administration or management to determine what integrations or features are needed on their end. Second, make a list of the requirements. Having between 30 and 60 requirements probably means that you have been specific enough in your requirements list. Third, vet the products. Try them out and consult with the companies themselves to see what features each option includes. Fourth, once you have explored the options, compare the options with your requirements to see which LMS most closely lines up with your institution's needs. Fifth and last, choose the LMS that works best for your institution and begin to implement it. In closing, each LMS has positives and negatives and choosing the right one can be difficult. Hopefully you learned something new about the LMSes that we looked at of Schoology, Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas and feel better equipped to handle an LMS decision.