An LMS by any other name is still a Learning Managment System, Part 2

These are the LMS programs that I am considering.  There is a more complete list is at Wikipedia.com under Learning Management Systems. 

• aTutor 
• Claroline 
• Desire2Learn 
• Dokeos 
• eFront 
• Blackboard 
• Ilias 
• JoomlaLMS 
• Moodle 
• Sakai

 I am staying away from the LMS that are K-12 or HR oriented. 

I will evaluate these systems using a decision matrix.  The decision matrix is a spreadsheet that list the products down the side and the decision criteria accross the top.  The general process of develping a decision matrix is to

1. Develop the criteria
2. Assign a value or importance to the criteria
3. Rank or rate each products as to how well it neets the criteria
4. Multiply the rankings by the importance of the criteria
5. Add the totals up. 

For instance, let say that I am deciding between three pairs of shoe to buy.  My criteria might be cost, looks, and comfort.  I will assign cost a value of 1, looks a value of 3, and comfort a value of 5.  My daughter would assign different values to cost, looks, and comfort!  Pair A is most expensive, and I am giving it a 1 in cost.  Pair B is less expensive, and I'll give it a 2.  Pair C is cheap, and it's getting a 4.  Pair A isn't bad looking.  It gets a 3 in looks.  I think Pair B is adorable, and it gets a 5 for looks.  Pair C is ugly.  It gets a 1 in the looks category.  Pair A is very comfortable.  I'll give it a 4 in comfort.  Pair B hurts, and it gets a 2.  Pair C hurts too.  It's rated a 2 in comfort.

Let's put the matrix together.

           Cost=1  Looks=3  Comfort=5    Totals


Pair A       1          3                4                30

Pair B        2         5                2                27

Pair C        4         1                2                17

According to this matrix, I should buy pair A.  It is the best combination of cost, looks and comfort.

For more information on decision matricies, read http://www.decision-making-confidence.com/kepner-tregoe-decision-making.html.

Next post will be on what are the criteria, and how are they ranked?

Enjoy,

Donna