PART 4: EValuation of LMS Systems: Desire to Learn (D2L) and Blackboard Course sites
INTRODUCTION
This review will consider specific aspects of both LMS Systems. These include:
1 Modify a Dropbox assignment;
2 Modify a Quiz to extend date;
3 Post a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning;
4 Add Third Party content (Atomic Learning);
5 Add HTML Accessible items: Syllabus and Content;
6 View all items as a Demo student to ensure completion.
The two systems being reviewed are D2L and Blackboard Course Sites.
This review will consider specific aspects of both LMS Systems. These include:
1 Modify a Dropbox assignment;
2 Modify a Quiz to extend date;
3 Post a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning;
4 Add Third Party content (Atomic Learning);
5 Add HTML Accessible items: Syllabus and Content;
6 View all items as a Demo student to ensure completion.
The two systems being reviewed are D2L and Blackboard Course Sites.
Blackboard Course Sites LMS Review
Strengths:
The tasks required in this week's evaluation presented some different obstacles in the Blackboard Course Sites LMS. The majority of the items required will be discussed under the Weaknesses section.
Adding a YouTube video to the content page was very easy. This LMS provides clear options for adding these videos directly to the pages you have created.
Blackboard Course Sites had a specific process for adding a syllabus, however the syllabus had to be an attachment. Uploading a PDF file was very easy.
The tasks required in this week's evaluation presented some different obstacles in the Blackboard Course Sites LMS. The majority of the items required will be discussed under the Weaknesses section.
Adding a YouTube video to the content page was very easy. This LMS provides clear options for adding these videos directly to the pages you have created.
Blackboard Course Sites had a specific process for adding a syllabus, however the syllabus had to be an attachment. Uploading a PDF file was very easy.
Weaknesses:
The processes to change the due dates for an assignment or quiz were not easy to identify. When completing the processes, a window would pop up with a message that led you to believe you were doing the process incorrectly. That caused confusion for this reviewer.
The processes to change the due dates for an assignment or quiz were not easy to identify. When completing the processes, a window would pop up with a message that led you to believe you were doing the process incorrectly. That caused confusion for this reviewer.
This process was essentially the same for tests and assignments. In order to assign the changes to a student, you need to know the username for the student. This was not difficult but very tedious.
In trying to add content from a third party, this LMS had several content providers available - such as McGraw Hill. This material was content specific, not with help videos or support. It was simply a click and choose process that allowed the creator to align content from the provider to the course being created. This is a weakness because the creator spent a great deal of time searching for help/support components that will be essential to include.
Using HTML accessible templates was not an easy option to find in Blackboard. Rather, it wanted a document to upload - either a PDF or Word file. This would require the creator to establish an accessible formatted document prior to uploading it to the LMS.
In trying to add content from a third party, this LMS had several content providers available - such as McGraw Hill. This material was content specific, not with help videos or support. It was simply a click and choose process that allowed the creator to align content from the provider to the course being created. This is a weakness because the creator spent a great deal of time searching for help/support components that will be essential to include.
Using HTML accessible templates was not an easy option to find in Blackboard. Rather, it wanted a document to upload - either a PDF or Word file. This would require the creator to establish an accessible formatted document prior to uploading it to the LMS.
Desire to learn (D2L) LMS Review
Strengths:
The D2L system has a framework has intuitive processes making modifications to existing assignments and quizzes. The guidance of the Restrictions tab clearly indicates how the creator needs to complete the desired modifications.
The D2L system has a framework has intuitive processes making modifications to existing assignments and quizzes. The guidance of the Restrictions tab clearly indicates how the creator needs to complete the desired modifications.
To add a YouTube video with closed captioning, D2L has several options. The video is easily embedded or shared in content pages. The process includes a simple selection of "inserting stuff" and adding the url address for the video.
Adding third party tools, in D2L, was also a fairly simple process. Choosing the activities and selecting the specific tools to import was a simple point and clicking process. Editing the names of these tools was easy to do and helpful to allow the creator to include specific references.
Using the HTML accessible templates in D2L was a little tougher process. However, with the correct steps to follow, this process was easier. The items to be included in this section were a syllabus and a content page. Once those items were loaded into D2L, they were very easy to edit.
Using the HTML accessible templates in D2L was a little tougher process. However, with the correct steps to follow, this process was easier. The items to be included in this section were a syllabus and a content page. Once those items were loaded into D2L, they were very easy to edit.
Weaknesses:
The steps to follow in order to add HTML accessible templates are a challenge. Particularly, if you are not familiar with the LMS these are not intuitive steps.
One note to the reader about using a MacBook Pro in the different LMS systems:
When trying to add third party tools in the D2L system, macbook pro computers may not allow access to the materials. After trying this multiple time, I tried it on my work computer, a PC, and had no difficulty whatsoever. I would encourage you to view the items you create in multiple platforms/devices to ensure that it turns out the way you intended.
The steps to follow in order to add HTML accessible templates are a challenge. Particularly, if you are not familiar with the LMS these are not intuitive steps.
One note to the reader about using a MacBook Pro in the different LMS systems:
When trying to add third party tools in the D2L system, macbook pro computers may not allow access to the materials. After trying this multiple time, I tried it on my work computer, a PC, and had no difficulty whatsoever. I would encourage you to view the items you create in multiple platforms/devices to ensure that it turns out the way you intended.
LMS recommendation
The items required this week provided a challenge to the reviewer. While three of them were similar to previous expectations, they each required some knowledge of how to navigate throughout the LMS to get the desired result. Both systems were easy to use with relation to adding the closed caption YouTube video.
For the two items requiring modifications to existing items, D2L was clearly the easier system to use. Simply following the intuitive steps provided a clear, easy path to modifying the items.
Both systems had separate issues with adding the third party tools . This reviewer's issues related mostly to the computer being used. Once I switched to a PC, I had no trouble and completed the exercise quickly.
Including HTML accessible templates, while there were difficult steps, was easier in the D2L system. There are many options for the creator, in terms of what you want add. They are easy to access and very appealing to the viewer. Blackboard's process was not at all easy to follow and instead led you to adding an existing document.
Therefore, I would recommend the Desire To Learn (D2L) system for our school district. As in previous weeks, the capabilities of this system exceed the other LMS reviewed. The new processes this week were still building on previous activities which will be much easier for our teachers to follow. This is particularly important because our current system has characteristics similar to D2L.
For the two items requiring modifications to existing items, D2L was clearly the easier system to use. Simply following the intuitive steps provided a clear, easy path to modifying the items.
Both systems had separate issues with adding the third party tools . This reviewer's issues related mostly to the computer being used. Once I switched to a PC, I had no trouble and completed the exercise quickly.
Including HTML accessible templates, while there were difficult steps, was easier in the D2L system. There are many options for the creator, in terms of what you want add. They are easy to access and very appealing to the viewer. Blackboard's process was not at all easy to follow and instead led you to adding an existing document.
Therefore, I would recommend the Desire To Learn (D2L) system for our school district. As in previous weeks, the capabilities of this system exceed the other LMS reviewed. The new processes this week were still building on previous activities which will be much easier for our teachers to follow. This is particularly important because our current system has characteristics similar to D2L.