LMS and Quality Matters Evaluation

The problems: 1. The current learning management system is overextended. 2. The distance courses need more consistency and a higher level of quality. 3. The current online classes have received extremely bad ratings.

LMS Evaluation Introduction

The task this week is to compare two learning management systems (LMS): D2L Brightspace and Canvas to see which of the two is more efficient, more intuitive and more functional for both faculty and students. For each of the learning management systems, the following tasks will be completed and compared: 1. setting up a course, 2. creating modules, 3. adding third-party content, 4. creating content using an HTML editor and 5. adding images to HTML editor pages. Each week additional tasks will be compared and a final recommendation will be made.

D2L Brightspace LMS Evaluation
Setting up the Course
The first step to setting up your course in D2L Brightspace is to go to Course Admin and set up your homepage. In the Course Admin tab there are multiple options to select from in order to customize your class. First, choose the format and theme for your homepage. Next, create a customized homepage by naming it and deciding on widgets that you want to add. After the widgets have been added they can be rearranged in any format.
​
The first general standard requirement in Quality Matters is Course Overview and Introduction. The content in this standard can be handled in a news widget found on the home page. ​​
Next you need to add students to the class. You do this by going to class list and click on add participant. Click on the down arrow and choose add existing user. You can search by first name, last name or Pilot ID number. After you have located the student you want to add, check the box next to their name and  assign them a role in the class. You can check your class list to see a list of all participants, their role and whether they are active on Pilot.

This procedure is straight forward if the student is an existing student. It is much more difficult to add a student who is not. 
Creating Modules
The second option is to add modules on the content page. At the bottom of the list on the left most column is the option add a module. After selecting this option, you will be prompted to type in the name and add any pertinent date restrictions. Under the module you have the options to add additional files, quizzes or other sub modules. ​

​Adding modules can be done in one of two ways. The first way is to use course admin and then course builder. On the left hand side of the course builder tab there are several options the first of which in the top box is to add a course module (see #2). After you click on the add module icon, select where you want to add it in the course tree and then name it. 
​
Adding Third-Party Content
Adding third party content can also be done in one of two ways. The first way is to add third party content as a widget. On the D2L LMS, Atomic Learning was added as a third party widget. A second way to add third party content is to go to course admin and then the course builder tab. Under the add content section there is an option to click on a link. After you click on the create quick link choose the option to insert an external learning tool then choose an option such as Atomic Learning. You will then be given the option of choosing date restrictions and then prompted to save your selection.
You can customize Atomic Learning for your students by clicking on the newly created Atomic Learning hyperlink and then searching in Atomic Learning for the content you are interested in. Check all of the folders you want to include in your course. After you have selected the folders, preview the content. Once you have verified it, click submit. You can rename each folder by clicking on the down arrow and select edit properties. ​
Creating Content Using an HTML Editor
HTML editor
Creating content using the HTML editor can be done in the same two basic methods that adding a module is done. It can either be done on the course admin page using the course builder or the content page with adding a file. After you choose either of these options a box will appear where you can copy and paste your text context. You will have the option to underline, bold or italicize your text, but you will also have options to add pictures, tables or links. When you have finished adding the content click create at the end. 

Adding Images to HTML Editor Pages
Images can be added in the same method as modules or content using the HTML editor. On the option bar for the HTML editor there is a icon for adding images. If you position you cursor in the location in the box where you want the image to appear, you can select the image icon and then either upload the image or drag and drop it into the HTML box. In addition to determining location by placing your cursor selectively in the HTML box, you also have the option of editing the HTML picture size by grabbing the corner and increasing or decreasing its size. Before publishing the image, you should enter an alternative text description, unless you picture is purely decorative. 
To finish the initial procedure for setting up a class go to course administration and then to course offering information. From this location you can choose to make the course active as well as select whether the course has sections, whether users can self-register, select course start and end dates as well as course colors. When you are finished click save.

Canvas by Instructure Evaluation
Setting up the Course
To set up a new course in Canvas by Instructure is very easy. The first step is to click on create a new course which is found on the right side of the dashboard. A pop up will then appear which allows you to name your course, choose your license and decide whether you will make it public. The final step is to save the course. Saving the course will bring you to your new course's homepage. After you set up the course you can click on the account icon on the left hand side of the screen and choose notifications. This will bring up a screen that allows you to decide how often and for what you would like to be notified.
Adding a student to your class in Canvas is also very straightforward. You click on people on the left side of the screen and enter the student's email address. Their role is automatically set as student and they get an email confirming their enrollment. If you have more than one course section, you can choose the one you want to enroll the student in.
Creating Modules
Course modules, in Canvas, are designed to organize external files, assignments, quizzes, discussions and external links. In order to add a module, the first step is to click on course. After you click on course, click on module and then select add a module. This will cause a pop up which will request the name of the module, any date restrictions and any prerequisites that may be required.
Adding Third-Party Content
The free version of Canvas has two LTI tools. When you select assignment a pop up box will open. You can name your tool, add HTML information and then add date restrictions. For external content you then select external tool. The two offered by the free version of Canvas are Canvas Data LTI and Roll Call. When Roll Call was selected and published, a tool was added to the course to facilitate daily attendance. Atomic Learning can be searched for and then added. It does require a consumer key, but when I made one up and entered it,  it worked fine. 
A third option in Canvas is to use the external app called Commons. Commons seems very similar to Atomic Learning. If you link it to your course you can search for content, import content and share content with other users. The content could also be searched by type of content, grade level and relevancy. 
Another option for adding external content is to open the webpage in a new tab as an external link. To do this you select add file and then choose add external URL from the drop down menu. You will be given the option to open the URL in a new tab. Atomic Learning was opened easily in this manner.
Creating Content Using an HTML Editor
Content can be added with rich text format in many areas of Canvas including pages, syllabus and assignments.  You may choose between the HTML editor and the Rich Content Editor. To add HTML content to pages, open a new page in the module. You can either type content in the content box or copy and paste the content. Once you add content you can change its alignment, bolding and font. HTML editor also allows you to add tables including the ability to add and split cells. The record media tool allows you to upload or record media in both an audio or video form. After you record the media, you can choose to either save or discard. You can upload files, upload images and link to other content in your course.
Adding Images to HTML Editor Pages
Content can be added in rich text format in many areas of Canvas including pages, syllabus and assignments. Click on the images icon on the HTML editor. This will allow you to select images from the web or to upload pictures from your computer. Once you select and add your image you have the option to specify the dimensions and alt text in the same window.

LMS Weekly Recommendation

1. Course set-up: For both learning management systems, course set-up was pretty straight-forward. Atomic Learning had videos on both. Canvas had a check list for designing a course. Adding users outside of existing users was easier in Canvas than it was in D2L Brightspace. 
2. Creating modules: Creating modules was much more intuitive in D2L Brightspace than in Canvas. There were two options available, one a course tree in course admin and the second the ability to add modules in the content section of the course. For Canvas, modules were easily created but the method was less obvious and the final layout was more difficult to see.
3. Adding third party content: since the content I was trying to add was Atomic Learning and this module was easy to add in D2L Brightspace  it would appear that D2L Brightspace would be superior in this area. When I explored Canvas's Common app, I found very similar content to Atomic Learning and it was just as easy to add, but superior in the ability to design modules and assignments.
4. Adding content with the HTML editor: this function was a bit easier in Canvas. You have the option to choose between the HTML and the Rich Content Editor and options for date restrictions and prerequisites were found on the same screen.
5. Adding images with HTML: it seemed easier to add images in Canvas than in D2L Brightspace and you could choose to upload from your computer or get the image from the internet. The biggest difference however was the ease of sizing the image in Canvas.

References
Carlson, A. (2014) Atomic learning tutorials Canvas from http://www.atomiclearning.com/highed/canvas-student.

Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric Workbook. 5th ed. MarylandOnline,Inc., 2014. Print.

Richard, B (2014) atomic learning tutorials Desire2Learn 10 instructor training http://www.atomiclearning.com/highed/d2l10_instruct.

Richard, B (2014) atomic learning tutorials Desire2Learn 10 student training http://www.atomiclearning.com/highed/d2l10student.