Allen CMS Response

After comparing Blackboard, Desire2Learn, and Moodle, I have come to the conclusion that Moodle offers the most features for the best price. It offers the best price because it is a free open source CMS. Moodle has the ability to have all the features the other two have but Moodle is not initially set up with all those features. You have to add some of the features yourself. Considering the other two CMS have everything already set up, Moodle might be better for a more computer savvy teacher. Another reason Moodle might be better for a more computer savvy teacher is because from what I can tell Moodle offers more customization. One draw back with Moodle is that it does not allow teachers to moderate chat rooms, groups, or have private discussions. Another feature that Moodle does not have is the ability for students to share content with each other through the CMS. Sharing content might lead to a rise in cheating; therefore it might be a good thing that Moodle does not offer this feature. One great feature about Moodle is that it has an rss feed which if students subscribe to they will be alerted of any new material. As far as students using a CMS program to personalize their course information in my experience students really do not use a CMS program likes these. Students usually only access the CMS when they have to because it is required for a class. Therefore, many of the student involvement features that Moodle does not have and that you would be paying for with Blackboard and Desire2Learn are never going to be used by students unless they are required. This is another reason why Moodle would be better because you are not paying for something you are not going to use. Some people think that since you pay big bucks for a product then it must be better, but with CMS that is not the case.