Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application that helps universities manage, deliver, and track their online learning programs. It can be used to create and manage courses, enroll students, deliver content, track student progress, and assess student performance. LMS software can also provide features for collaboration and communication between students and instructors.

Most LMS software is designed to work with a variety of learning content formats, including text, audio, video, and Flash-based content. Some LMS software also includes tools for creating online quizzes and tests, as well as managing grades and student records.

There are a number of different LMS software applications available on the market today. Some of the more popular LMS software applications include Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, and Desire2Learn. Each of these LMS software applications has its own unique features and benefits.

When choosing an LMS software application for your university, it is important to consider your needs and objectives. Take note of important criteria such as usability, integrations, and user interface. Most importantly, choose an LMS software application that is easy to use and provides the features and functionality you need.

Top 4 Best LMS Software for University

  1. Canvas – Best overall
  2. Blackboard Learn – Best for content reporting and analytics
  3. Moodle – Best for flexibility and affordability
  4. Desire2Learn Brightspace – Best for game and video assignments

1. Canvas – Best overall

PRICING: Free plans up to 500MB of storage available. Paid plans start at $22.50.

Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) that enables educational institutions to manage and deliver digital course content and assessment. Canvas offers tools for instructors to create and publish course materials, assignments, and quizzes, as well as track student progress and performance. Additionally, Canvas provides features for students such as submitting assignments, taking quizzes, and viewing grades. Canvas is available as a web-based application and offers mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

Canvas has been designed to make teaching and learning more efficient and effective. It is used by educational institutions of all sizes, from small schools to large universities. Canvas is easy to use and has a wide range of features that can be customized to meet the needs of any instructor or student. Canvas is constantly expanding its capabilities and features, making it one of the most popular learning management systems available.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Course creation
  • Gradebooks
  • Record and upload documents, pictures, and videos to share with instructor and classmates
  • Customizable user profiles
  • Mobile app
  • Integrations with several third-parties such as Facebooks, Google, and Canvas mobile app

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Open API
  • Advanced course creation tools
  • Extensive third-party integrations

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Pricing is not very transparent. Must contact them for an accurate quote.

2. Blackboard Learn – Best for content reporting and analytics

PRICING: Free trial available. Starts at $2,500 a year for schools.

If you are looking for a learning management system that is easy to use and has a wide range of features, Blackboard Learn may be the right choice for you. Blackboard Learn is a web-based platform that enables educators to create and deliver course content, assess student learning, and manage their classrooms. It also allows students to access their courses from any location with an Internet connection.

Blackboard Learn provides a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features that make it an ideal choice for online learning. It is a cost-effective solution for delivering course content and assessment. It also provides educators with the tools they need to manage their classrooms effectively and is a scalable solution that can be used by small and large organizations alike.

Blackboard Learn has been used by millions of students and educators around the world, making it one of the most popular learning management systems on the market.

KEY FEATURES:

  • High content creation abilities
  • Social learning features
  • Customizable courses
  • Advanced student profiles
  • Partnered with academic publishers
  • Large-scale video conferencing
  • Advanced analytics with retentions, enrollments, active collaboration, and progressive content reports
  • Organizational tools including a built-in calendar and activity stream to prioritize items

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Large ecosystem of learning tools and services
  • Legacy courses are improved with the Ultra course view
  • Accessibility features

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • New and improved Ultra courses do not have all the same features available as in older legacy courses
  • Ultra courses require cloud SaaS configurations
  • Pricing is not very transparent. Must contact them for an accurate quote.

3. Moodle – Best for flexibility and affordability

PRICING: Free plan available. More advanced plans start at $80 annually.

Moodle is a free and open-source learning management system (LMS) written in PHP and distributed under the GNU General Public License. Developed on pedagogical principles, Moodle is used for blended learning, distance education, flipped classrooms and other e-learning projects in schools, universities, workplaces, and other sectors.

With customizable management features, it is used to create private websites with online courses for instructors and students. Moodle is a popular choice for schools and universities that want an LMS that is easy to set up and administrate but still offers a wide range of features.

Moodle was created by Martin Dounias’s, a teacher and educational technologist from Australia, who now works as the project’s lead developer and coordinator. Since its inception in 2002, Moodle has grown to become one of the most popular LMSes in the world.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Customizable dashboard with progress tracker
  • Course creation and management
  • Organization tools like built in calendar
  • Collaborative resources
  • Fast notification alerts
  • Consistent security updates
  • Multilingual options
  • Android and IOS app
  • Many third-party integrations such as Microsoft Office, NextCloud, and Google Apps

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Free plan
  • Open-source platform that can be hosted on external or owner’s server
  • Supports an incredible number of activities and customization
  • Vast language support options

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Setup is more difficult than other platforms
  • Interface is slightly dated compared to other LMS software

4. Desire2Learn Brightspace – Best for game and video assignments

PRICING: 30-day free trial available. Plans range from $1-1,250/month.

Desire2Learn Brightspace is a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) that enables educators to create and deliver engaging learning experiences. It offers a broad range of features and tools to support online, hybrid, and face-to-face teaching and learning. Brightspace is used by over 1,000 educational institutions worldwide, including universities, colleges, school districts, and government agencies.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Course creation with a focus on game-based learning and video assignments
  • Library of designs and templates for instructors to quickly create courses
  • Virtual classroom and digital archive capabilities
  • Analytics on content, assessments, and engagement
  • Mobile app that offers a fantastic experience

REASONS TO BUY:

  • Advanced analytics
  • Focus on competency-based learning
  • Students keep their ePortfolios, even after they graduate
  • Add-ons are available to make the system more robust

REASONS TO AVOID:

  • Pricing is not very transparent. Must contact them for an accurate quote
  • ePortfolio for students is unnecessarily complicated

References:

  • https://www.instructure.com/canvas
  • https://www.blackboard.com/teaching-learning/learning-management/blackboard-learn
  • https://moodle.org/
  • https://www.d2l.com/brightspace/