Part 2: Evaluation of LMS Systems -
D2L and Blackboard course Sites
INTRODUCTION
This review will consider specific aspects of both LMS Systems. These include:
The two systems being reviewed are D2L and Blackboard Course Sites.
This review will consider specific aspects of both LMS Systems. These include:
- Creating Modules for Course Content
- Adding Word, PDF, and PPT files to Modules
- Adding Content through Web Link
- Create Content by using HTML editor
- Adding Content by embedding a YouTube Video in HTML editor
The two systems being reviewed are D2L and Blackboard Course Sites.
BLackboard course sites - LMS Review
STRENGTHS:
Blackboard Course Sites has a framework that features a vertical menu list on the left side of the home screen. From this menu, the instructor can intuitively select the "Content" link to begin the process of adding course content. Creating the folders for each week is an easy process to follow.
In order to add actual content to these folders, the instructor can choose the type of action needed - add a file, link, video, etc. The process for uploading word documents, PDFs, or PowerPoints involves two basic steps and adding the dates you want the items available.
To use an HTML editor, Blackboard Course Site is not as easy to follow, this will be addresses in the weakness section of this review.
Blackboard Course Sites has a framework that features a vertical menu list on the left side of the home screen. From this menu, the instructor can intuitively select the "Content" link to begin the process of adding course content. Creating the folders for each week is an easy process to follow.
In order to add actual content to these folders, the instructor can choose the type of action needed - add a file, link, video, etc. The process for uploading word documents, PDFs, or PowerPoints involves two basic steps and adding the dates you want the items available.
To use an HTML editor, Blackboard Course Site is not as easy to follow, this will be addresses in the weakness section of this review.
Creating content using web links, images or videos in Blackboard Course Site is a built-in process, as you can see on the image of the website above. This allows an instructor to have the ability to quickly and easily create an interactive, high quality online environment.
WEAKNESSES:
While most of the items reviewed in the Blackboard Course Site were very easy to complete, understanding the HTML editor was a challenge. The LMS did not clearly indicate where to go to complete this option. Strictly uploading a video through the LMS' given process also did not work. I tried doing an MP4 file and received an error. In general, the uploading of videos or large files took several seconds (up to 30 in one case).
As mentioned in the first review, I have not figured out how to add a demo student in this system to be able to view the course from a student perspective. I have emailed the company and hope to hear back from them in the coming week.
While most of the items reviewed in the Blackboard Course Site were very easy to complete, understanding the HTML editor was a challenge. The LMS did not clearly indicate where to go to complete this option. Strictly uploading a video through the LMS' given process also did not work. I tried doing an MP4 file and received an error. In general, the uploading of videos or large files took several seconds (up to 30 in one case).
As mentioned in the first review, I have not figured out how to add a demo student in this system to be able to view the course from a student perspective. I have emailed the company and hope to hear back from them in the coming week.
D2L LMS Review
STRENGTHS:
In completing the same processes in D2L LMS system, I found that creating the weekly modules to be very easy to complete. The steps on the LMS system are very logical and intuitive.
Adding content to the module was also pretty easy. When uploaded, the item appears in a list in the module you placed it in. The file shows the type, for example if it is a Word file it shows the typical Word icon. This is a great help to an instructor because most students are familiar with these icons and will quickly locate the various types of files.
In completing the same processes in D2L LMS system, I found that creating the weekly modules to be very easy to complete. The steps on the LMS system are very logical and intuitive.
Adding content to the module was also pretty easy. When uploaded, the item appears in a list in the module you placed it in. The file shows the type, for example if it is a Word file it shows the typical Word icon. This is a great help to an instructor because most students are familiar with these icons and will quickly locate the various types of files.
Using the HTML editor was very intuitive and allows the instructor to add multiple videos in a short amount of time. Adding content through the HTML editor was also fairly easy, the options were similar to other editing tools found in Microsoft Word.
Lastly, the D2L system sets up a dummy student for the instructor to use to view the created course from the student perspective. This process is extremely valuable and easy for a beginner to complete.
Lastly, the D2L system sets up a dummy student for the instructor to use to view the created course from the student perspective. This process is extremely valuable and easy for a beginner to complete.
Weaknesses:
With respect to the items reviewed in this exercise, I found no weaknesses for the D2L LMS System. This system was very intuitive and allows beginning users the opportunity to work in an environment that has few opportunities to "mess up" in creating an online course. The Help features are informative and useful if there are questions.
With respect to the items reviewed in this exercise, I found no weaknesses for the D2L LMS System. This system was very intuitive and allows beginning users the opportunity to work in an environment that has few opportunities to "mess up" in creating an online course. The Help features are informative and useful if there are questions.
LMS REcommendation
Overall, both systems were very easy to use when creating module folders, adding content, and YouTube videos. Essentially, there were no differences in terms of difficulty or confusion in utilizing these processes.
The main difference came from the HTML components. D2L had a process that was logical, step-by-step, and intuitive. Blackboard has many great tools, but finding out how to use the HTML was difficult. Just finding the "Help" feature for this was also difficult.
The D2L system also had little to no wait time for uploading files, videos or PowerPoints. Blackboard was not able to load an MP4 video and took up to 30 seconds when loading other files.
Therefore, for this review I would recommend D2L as the LMS system for our school. Learning a new system is already difficult enough for teachers, however D2L is a system that will be less of a challenge since it has some similar features as our current system.
The main difference came from the HTML components. D2L had a process that was logical, step-by-step, and intuitive. Blackboard has many great tools, but finding out how to use the HTML was difficult. Just finding the "Help" feature for this was also difficult.
The D2L system also had little to no wait time for uploading files, videos or PowerPoints. Blackboard was not able to load an MP4 video and took up to 30 seconds when loading other files.
Therefore, for this review I would recommend D2L as the LMS system for our school. Learning a new system is already difficult enough for teachers, however D2L is a system that will be less of a challenge since it has some similar features as our current system.