Open Source Learning Management System Research Articles

What Does the Future Hold for a Surgical Trainee? This Lockdown Is Not a Letdown Yet: A Survey on Moodle Learning Management System as a Part of Blended Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic brought about a major shift in the educational training of surgical trainees. As the Lockdown was implemented and the daily workforce reduced, an alternate method was employed to provide uninterrupted learning. Blended learning that includes virtual learning with face-to-face learning/teaching was utilized for the surgical trainees. MOODLE (Modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment), an open-source learning management system, was integrated as an Online Component of our Blended Learning Program. We aimed to evaluate the perception of postgraduate trainees of General Surgery regarding the benefits and limitations of Blended Learning, particularly its online component, i.e., Moodle LMS, for the betterment of surgical -education during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and MethodsThirty-three postgraduate general surgery trainees were enrolled in a blended learning program, in which its online component, Moodle LMS, comprised four major topics on General Surgery. A questionnaire was provided to the trainees to obtain feedback on blended learning in general, and Moodle LMS was mainly themed on the Likert scale.ResultsThe approach of blended learning was positively received by the participants, the majority of whom were females (75%) and comprising of Year 1 residents (33.3%). Nearly half of the participants found Moodle LMS user-friendly, practical and a good platform for learning. However, nearly two thirds (60.6%) were uncertain if it ever helped in applying knowledge to interpret laboratory and radiological results for patient management. Even then, most of them found that the face-to-face component of blended learning helped them develop specific clinical and surgical skills (42.4%). Emphatically, 78.7% would recommend it for surgical training.ConclusionBlended learning was found to be beneficial in the training process of surgical postgraduates in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. We recommend it for the training of doctors for optimized learning.

Open Source Learning Management System Proposal for Educational Institutions During the Pandemic: Multidimensional Comparisons

Tüm dünyayı etkisi altına alan Covid19 salgını nedeniyle Aralık 2020 tarihi itibariyle yaklaşık olarak bir yıldır insanlar arası sosyal etkileşimler neredeyse durma noktasına gelmiştir. Bireyler salgın nedeniyle fiziksel olarak bir araya gelmekten çekinmektedir. Devletler vatandaşlarını bu salgından korumak için ciddi önlemler almaya devam etmektedir. İçinde bulunduğumuz bu süreçte eğitim-öğretim kurumları olumsuz yönde etkilenmiş ve neredeyse tüm öğretim faaliyetlerini dijital ortama taşımak zorunda kalmıştır. Bu bağlamda, öğretim sürecini yürütenler ders işleyiş yöntemlerini ve ders materyallerini dijital ortamlara uygun hale getirme çabalarına devam etmektedir. Eylül 2020 verilerine göre okul öncesi, ilkokul, ortaokul ve lise seviyelerinde 18 milyondan fazla Öğrenci, 1 milyondan fazla öğretmen bulunmaktadır. Yükseköğretim incelendiğinde ise 7.5 milyondan fazla öğrenci ve yaklaşık 175 bin öğretim elemanının bulunduğu tespit edilmektedir. Diğer taraftan özel ve devlete bağlı öğretim kurumları öğrenen ve öğreten gruplar için çok büyük miktarda veri akışına cevap verebilecek öğrenme yönetim sistemi oluşturmaya çalışmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, dünyada en çok tercih edilen 5 öğrenme yönetim sistemi tesit edilerek genel özellileri, kullandığı teknolojiler, donanım ve yazılım gereklilikleri, kullanım kolaylıkları, eklenti destekleri ve öğrenme analizi destekleri yönlerinden karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak öğretim kurumlarının seçim yapmalarını kolaylaştıracak, öneri niteliğinde bir tablo oluşturulmuştur.

Analysis of Conditions for Reliable Predictions by Moodle Machine Learning Models

In this paper the issue of bias-variance trade-off in building and operating Moodle Machine Learning (ML) models are discussed to avoid traps of get-ting unreliable predictions. Moodle is one of the world’s most popular open source Learning Management System (LMS) with millions of users. Although since Moodle 3.4 release it is possible to create ML models within the LMS system very few studies have been published so far about the conditions of its proper application. Using these models as black boxes hold serious risks to get unreliable predictions and false alarms. From a comprehensive study of differently built machine learning models elaborated at the University of Dunaújváros in Hungary, one specific issue is addressed here, namely the in-fluence of the size and the row-column ratio of the predictor matrix on the goodness of the predictions. In the so-called Time Splitting Method in Moo-dle Learning Analytics the effect of varying numbers of time splits and of predictors has also been studied to see their influence on the bias and the variance of the models. An Applied Statistics course is used to demonstrate the consequences of the different model set up.

Usage of Distance and Blended Learning in Educating School Librarians

Paper shows the case study of transforming traditional learning environment (based on teacher-centred instruction), to the blended learning environment (based on student-centred instruction) using Open Source Learning Management Systems, like Moodle. Special attention was on the advantages in usage of this tool in educating LIS professionals. Authors try to investigate whether new technologies help and motivate students master the necessary knowledge, especially when applied to the mandatory courses. Differences in motivation and access to the studies between the full-time and part-time students are also compared. Data fo theevaluation have been gathered through numerous satisfaction surveys and interviews with the students of Department of Information Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, both full-time and part-time, as well as through the analysis of the data from the faculty’s e-learning system.

Curriculum Development with the Implementation of an Open-Source Learning Management System for Training Early Clinical Students: An Educational Design Research Study.

BackgroundLearning management systems (LMSs) have not been explored from an educational design research (EDR) perspective for developing clinical curricula and supporting novice clinical students with self-regulated learning during their early clinical rotations.MethodsAn EDR approach was used to inform a de novo implementation of an LMS during an early clinical rotation of medical students. The EDR consisted of three phases: analysis and exploration; design and construction; and evaluation and reflection. Process and evaluation data (including academic years 2018 and 2019) from two student cohorts (total n = 190, 107 without and 83 with LMS exposure) at one academic teaching hospital were analyzed.ResultsLearning theories and concepts of self-regulated learning were used to develop and implement an LMS clerkship prototype. For design and construction, the maturing prototype design included flipped-classroom elements, in-class activation, voluntary digital self-assessments, and clinical teaching videos. For evaluation and reflection, global satisfaction improvement was significant (from 3.9 to 4.4 on a 5-point Likert scale, p < 0.05). There was a positive evaluation trend for all evaluation items related to learning climate, self-regulated learning, and perceived usefulness of the LMS prototype; however, these changes were not statistically significant. The teaching hospital also improved its ranking after the introduction of the LMS prototype. Nearly all students (94%) used the LMS material. The average number of times the LMS course was accessed per student was 70 (range: 7–172), and the average duration students spent online was 58 minutes (range: 9–165).ConclusionOur data indicate that using an EDR approach was helpful for systematically introducing an LMS in a clerkship curriculum informed by learning theory. Our evidence-oriented curriculum reform was associated with higher student satisfaction and appeared to support self-regulated learning in the workplace. Further research should explore which elements of an LMS most effectively help to achieve educational outcomes.

ТУРИСТИЧНА ОСВІТА В УМОВАХ КАРАНТИНУ: ВИКЛИКИ, ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ ТА РІШЕННЯ

The goals of this article are to explain the methodological and technological components that were used to plan and implement distance learning and to share the general experience of distance learning using Moodle learning management system at Yuri Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. The methodology of our work was based on systematizing the experience we gained during the four months of distance learning in the reality of quarantine and shelter-in-place requirements of COVID-19 epidemics. We analyzed and compared various online platforms and information resources and identified their advantages and disadvantages. As a result, a universal approach to organizing and providing instruction remotely has been synthesized. The results. The authors have summarized the challenges facing education and the subjects of the educational process during the introduction of quarantine restrictions and intensive implementation of methods, models, and technologies of distance learning in the training of tourism professionals. The findings show the advantages of distance learning under quarantine conditions. They include accessibility, mobility, manufacturability, and flexibility. We also provide reasoning for our choice of distance learning mode: individual, asynchronous and synchronous. We also show the advantages of the open-source learning management system Moodle for the use in the institutions of higher education that train professionals in the field of tourism. We highlight the following advantages of Moodle as a distance learning platform: unlimited and free distribution, open source, opportunities for communication, tools for assessing students' work and progress, and user-friendly interface. We have established key tendencies of effective solutions of applied challenges in distance learning from the point of view of identifying and adopting different technological platforms and other resources. They include rapid adaptation to new conditions, exploring the affordances of technological platforms for distance learning, building distance courses in Moodle and filling course shells with appropriate learning materials, development of fast algorithms of communication with students, transition to and scheduling of online classes, conducting attestation and qualifying final exams synchronously. We explain our procedural workflow of implementing distance learning using an example of teaching a course on "Ecological Agro-Tourism" to students in specialty code 242, "Tourism" of the educational program "International tourism." We provide a list of pros and cons of distance learning specific for tourism education in Ukraine during quarantine-imposed restrictions. The novelty of this work is in the developed recommendations on optimal approaches to setting up online distance learning and the related specific technology solutions. The implications of this study show the possibilities and ways of incorporating the compiled experience to the educational process of other majors as related to challenges in education due to quarantine-related restrictions. The results of our study were applied to facilitate professional education at Yuri Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.

Designing a training management system based on the project management method

Problem and purpose. The article considers research on comparing various opensource learning management systems in distance education and educational process management. With all the variety of diverse education management systems, the choice of the optimal model remains quite difficult. The integration of the electronic education management system into the global process of management and training in the system of higher professional education means a reorientation of the educational process to modern needs in the effective use of information and telecommunication technologies. The relevance of the article is defined by the urgency of the transition to the active and widespread use of information and telecommunication technologies in the management of the educational process; the ambiguity of the ways and degree of integration of electronic education management systems into the real process of managing a pedagogical university; the discussion of the choice of a model of the education management system and the need for scientific justification of the optimal strategy for developing a specially designed educational process management system. The problem is determined by the need to analyze and compare the Moodle distance learning system with other open source learning management systems, and identify all interested parties in the process of selecting such a management system, create a step-by-step guide for choosing a management system, and compile an individual list of functions that are consistent with priorities learning and objectives of the university. The purpose of the article is to describe approaches to the development of organizational forms for organizing the learning process, to determine the possibilities of implementing new approaches to managing the educational process. Methodology. The methodological basis was the analysis of the significance and development of distance education systems in Russian pedagogy. In the works of scientists (A.A. Andreev, V.F. Gornev, Yu.P. Gospodarik, V.I. Kinelev, V.P. Kolmogorov, V.N. Lazarev, A.V. Mogilev, V.I. Ovsyannikov, O.P. Okolelov, E.S. Polat, A.E. Petrov, V.I. Soldatkin, E.G. Skibitsky, V.P. Tikhomirov, O.B. Tyschenko, A.V. Khutorsky, V.D. Shadrikov, V.A. Shapovalov) the extensive range of ideas about the nature and content of distance education, the features of the educational process, the specifics of management and organization of such a process is analyzed in sufficient detail. Results. The expediency of using the electronic control system in the universitys management system is justified, and the technology of designing and using additional modules, taking into account the universitys target settings, and building the Electronic Deans module on this basis is proposed. The principles and conditions for the organization of the management process in an educational organization are identified, the project management method is considered as the basis for designing a model for managing the educational process using information and telecommunication technologies. Conclusion. The results led to the conclusion that the informatization of education is becoming a priority for the development of all educational organizations. The introduction of an electronic document management system will save a huge part of teachers working time, and a new approach to compiling courses will significantly improve the content of modern education. The proposed model for the implementation of information technology allows to speed up the collection, processing of a large amount of information, optimize the time and money spent on decision-making, improve the quality of managerial decisions by providing relevant, reliable information. When selecting information and software systems, it is important to correctly determine the requirements, criteria, as well as the functions, responsibilities, tasks of the employees for whom they should be intended.

E-learning based on the adaptive learning model: case study in Serbia

Today’s education faces many challenges related to learning and teaching efficiency, effectiveness, and costs. Contemporary research shows that the learning environment with the ability to adapt to individual needs, requirements, and competencies of students, facilitates the learning process and leads to improved learning outcomes and achievements. Nevertheless, learning management systems (LMS) that are often used in e-learning typically provide a limited level of adaptivity. The goal of this paper is to introduce an adaptive e-learning model which enables personalized learning experience and more intelligent decision making. It consists of the students’ model, the adaptation module, the expert system for data analysis and decision making, the repository of learning objects, and database of educational methods. The designed model provides adaptivity through a learning management system, considering individual characteristics of the student, such as their learning styles and prior knowledge. It is capable to adapt course content, structure, and assessment based on the specific student’s needs and performance. The model is implemented within the widely used open-source LMS, which makes it more usable and easier to deploy. The process of applying the proposed model is illustrated with a higher education case study that shows how the recommended method is applied for a successful transition to an adaptive form of learning. The model has been tested through experiment during which a group of students attended traditional non-adaptive e-learning course, and the other group attended the adaptive e-learning course. The results of data analysis showed that students who learned from an adaptive course achieved better performance in various aspects. The proposed adaptive model can enhance educational processes in terms of improving learning performance, personalized application of teaching/learning methods, as well as continuous improvement cycle.

Understanding virtual lead optimization through a simple online task.

Understanding virtual lead optimization through a simple online task.

Gamification to Enhance Motivation and Engagement in Blended eLearning for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Delivery of blended-mode eLearning programs is challenging due to a range of factors, including motivational and engagement issues. This is more challenging in the context of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which aims to develop competencies to empower learner to find gainful employment. This study proposes an operational model and gamification design to develop blended eLearning programs, which embed motivational and engagement designs as an effective means of achieving learner success in the TVET context. The motivational design uses a motivational framework with the factors of attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction. The engagement design includes behavioural, emotional, and cognitive aspects for enhancing learning. Accordingly, appropriate game dynamics, mechanics, and components are used to gamify a blended eLearning course. This gamification design and operational model could be used as a tool to gamify and deliver the competency-based educational programs, using the blended eLearning approach. The study proposes fifteen game dynamics, relevant mechanics, and appropriate game components. The design utilises structural and content gamification in a sample online course, deploying an open-source learning management system. Furthermore, the study suggests embedding game components at the implementation stage of providing learning opportunities, to motivate and engage learners, thereby achieving the acquisition of expected competencies. The gamified course will be delivered to a selected group of learners in the TVET context to assess the feasibility and viability of this approach in anticipation of the future work.

ICT officials' opinion on deploying Open Source Learning Management System for teaching and learning in universities in a developing society

Information and Communication Technology specialists, working within universities play important roles in the deployment of educational technologies for teaching and learning. Given the centrality of these specialists and the woeful dearth of empirics on this subject-matter in Sub-Saharan Africa, this paper interrogates the perspectives of ICT specialists working within universities in Ghana, on the deployment of Moodle®/Sakai® Learning Management System (LMS) by universities in the country for teaching and learning and the challenges involved. Data collection entailed semi-structured interviews with twenty informants. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. It emerged that there has been impressive formulation of e-learning policy, construction of computer laboratories, Staff Resource Centre, Electronic Support Unit in the Balm Library, installation of Internet facility, Learning Management System, Enterprise Solution Software, Library Solution Software to promote ICT-mediated teaching and learning in the face of barriers. The paper adds knowledge to the extant literature in the field, impacts practice and policy along the pathway for ensuring sustainable deployment of LMS in universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Perception of new medical graduates on e-assessments conducted through Microsoft Team’s portal during the covid pandemic

The effect of covid pandemic has left a vacuum effecting every field of life, with lots of question, especially on group meeting that including teaching at all levels. The impact of web-based assessment practices on the performance of undergraduate medical students is not widely studied. The modern digital global world provides e-assessment, contributing a crucial role and has powerful effects on student learning and their outcomes., , Designed e-assessments may even provide a scale to measure the progress and the effects on the outcome of institutions, including a tool to target the attention of students to focus on the learning outcomes. As e-learning includes various modes of communication both visual and audio in different formats i.e, animation, visual streaming; it motivates many e-learning processes, as it can be done in or out of the classroom, and has been proved an open-source web-based learning management system (LMS), managing the tools required for collaboration, communication, evaluation, and assessment for higher education. Online quizzes are methods for graded assessment that offers students an opportunity to gauge their level of performance on a topic including feedback to the faculty to make necessary changes in the ongoing curriculum. : 100 First-year medical students were registered and the dates for assessment and conducting of survey before and after was fixed. Thirty MCQ and SEQ from various sections of human physiology were preloaded on the Microsoft team’s portal, from the topics covered during pandemic live on net and the students used their devices to answer the questions within the stipulated time. The results were automatically loaded at the end of the assessment. Pre- and post-test survey were conducted to investigate the significance of the E-assessment. The students responded that the e-assessment was easy to assess, unique as they received immediate feedback, customized, and flexible. There was a significant difference in the post-test survey. Technology has created new methods of assessment for today’s generation of students, and these advances are here to stay. : It is possible to conduct online examinations in medical school regularly. The e learning can enhance student interests and allows immediate feedback. Since e learning is not well established in India, we hope to create awareness and change the outlook of medical students in the online teaching learning and assessment program.

An Evaluation and Examination of Quiz Tool within Open-Source Learning Management Systems

Most open-source learning management systems are equipped with a quiz tool, which plays an important role in measuring and evaluating the achievements of a student in a particular e-course. Currently, numerous open-source LMSs are available in the market. In this study, some analysis and comparisons were made between the most used open-source LMSs, including Moodle, ATutor, Eliademy, Sakai, Dokeos, ILIAS, OpenOLAT and Opigno. The study is mainly based on the functionality of the quiz tool that is available within the selected LMSs. This paper study and evaluate the availability of certain features that are divided into sub-categories: questions, result/feedback and quiz setting features.

Developing a national e-learning course in otorhinolaryngology: the Danish experience.

E-learning provides a flexible and effective approach to learning and is increasingly used in otorhinolaryngology (ORL). We developed a national theoretical e-learning course for ORL trainees and describe our experiences with implementation as well as piloting the e-learning course. E-learning course content was developed as structured multiple choice quizzes for the European core curriculum textbook. An open-source learning management system was adapted for a self-paced e-learning course. We piloted the e-learning course as a non-mandatory option for the 15 residents participating in the Danish 4-day national training course in rhinology in February 2019. A post-course survey was sent out to the participants and used in the evaluation along with activity data from the learning management system. Fourteen out of 15 trainees participated in the e-learning course. Nine participants completed > 95% of the course. The activity data demonstrated that participants with the highest completion rate typically began well in advance of the course (> 2months). Overall the e-learning course was rated positively in relation to learning and as preparation for the national training course. Participants responded that the level of the e-learning course was higher than and also at times in slight incongruity with the content of the national curriculum. Participants would like protected study time for e-learning activities in their residency program. All participants responded that they would use e-learning in relation to future national training courses. Developing a national e-learning course is feasible and is well-received by trainees as well as other educational stakeholders.

Usability Evaluation of Open Source Learning Management Systems

Advancements in Information and Communications Technology has enabled learning to be conducted online frequently through Learning Management Systems (LMS). The use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) as tools for learning in the present Internet age is seen as an important solution to remedy major problems particularly faced by higher education instructors, students and universities. However, any quality and usability related information regarding such widely used learning management systems are rarely encountered in the literature. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the system quality of the top five widely used open source learning management systems through the external characteristics of ISO/IEC 9126 quality standards evaluation model for Moodle, ATutor, Eliademy, Forma LMS and Dokeos with two experts. ISO/IEC 9126 quality model is adequate for evaluating important system quality metrics. Results highlighted in detail a set of usability and quality issues that are associated to external characteristics for each open LMS which require further attention of developers, educators and researchers to improve the quality of learning.

University’s digital transformation: A case study for providing e-services via Moodle

Abstract The evolution of digitization reaches a new stage with a focus on the overall transformation, where the so called “Intelligent Environment” such as “Smart City”, “Smart Campus“ is in the heart. Today’s institutions, which have not yet started the transformation towards a Smart Campus, are capable to exploit untapped ICT resources that could potentially lead to the optimization of the processes and services. In order to verify that a new service can be offered with the available ICT resources, a method of finding a subset satisfying some condition is used. The paper reports approach where elements of the main set include own resources and their functionalities, while needed resources to provide a new service build the subset elements. This work presents examples of developed e-services by using the open source Learning Management System (LMS) Moodle. The study demonstrates that Moodle and advanced ICTs are just as so an alternative for improving personal management and information systems in the means of e-services offering. The paper analyzes the results and evaluate the benefits from the digital transformation point of view. The conclusion summarizes features of the applications will contribute the way university interacts with students and staff.

EDUCATIONAL REWARD INFORMATION COMMUNICATION API (ERIC API): A PRELIMINARY STUDY RESULT

Educational Resource Information Communication (ERIC) API is used to connect two separate systems while keeping both systems working independently without leaking users’ privacy data. This research uses ERIC API to integrate an educational reward system called Trading Card Game with Moodle, a famous open-source learning management system. When students authorize Moodle to dispatch the rewards (i.e., in-game cards) for completing learning activities (e.g., assignments and quizzes) to their account in the Trading Card Game, Moodle will no information about the credentials that they have in the Trading Card Game. This research conducts a pilot study to understand whether or not students are satisfying with having the API to integrate Moodle and Trading Card Game. The results not only show that ERIC API is acceptable for students but also provide researchers and teachers support of evidence to having a reward system into their learning management system.

Quiz Tool Within Moodle and Blackboard Mobile Applications

The development of a course is measured through Assessments. Tests and Quizzes measure performance and quality of course progress as well as student understanding of course contents. Most of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) provide a built in quiz tool to help instructor to design a quiz and obtain students records. Nowadays, LMSs companies provide versions (applications) that are compatible with mobile handheld devices. In this paper, we will investigate features available within quiz tool within the open source LMS Moodle and the proprietary LMS Blackboard.

Using an Adaptive, Self-Directed Web-Based Learning Module to Enhance Residents' Medical Knowledge Prior to a New Clinical Rotation.

The effect of self-directed adaptive learning on internal medicine residents' knowledge prior to a new clinical rotation is not known. We developed an adaptive, online, self-directed spaced repetition module and determined the effect on medical knowledge acquisition. We randomized postgraduate year 1 internal medicine residents into two groups. The intervention group (n = 27) received an electronic version of the clinical rotation curriculum as portable document format (PDF) files and participated in the online module, delivered via Moodle, a free, open-source learning management system. The non-intervention group (n = 27) only received the PDF files. All residents participated in a medical knowledge test at baseline and 3 months later. Both groups were similar at study baseline in terms of age, trainee type, years since graduation, results at United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, 2, In-Training Examination (ITE), and pre-intervention evaluation. There was a statistically significant improvement in scores on the post-intervention medical knowledge assessment for the intervention group when compared with the non-intervention group (24.2 ± 15.4% vs. 8.6 ± 9.9%, p < 0.001). An online, self-directed, adaptive spaced repetition-learning module can offer a simple and effective method to increase the medical knowledge present at the start of residents' clinical rotations.

Research Methodology Adopted in Developing TanSSe-L System

Research methodology is among the very important part in a research work. It is the heart which describe the activities necessary for the completion of the research work. Research methodology provides a plan of investigation considered to obtain answers to research problems and it depends on the context of application. This paper presents the research methodology adopted when developing Tanzania Secondary Schools e-Learning (TanSSe-L) system, a learning management system (LMS) which was successfully developed through customization of Moodle open source LMS. TanSSe-L system is a context centered platform for secondary schools in Tanzania. TanSSe-L system was developed using a number of methods and techniques taking into consideration open source/low cost system and the issue of sustainability, where academia, industry and Government were involved in a triple helix model. Focus group discussion in action research methodology, made secondary school stakeholders be involved in the TanSSe-L system development.