While the data in this legacy report is outdated, the research model the report reveals continues to be sought after by researchers in the online learning space.

(In 2000, when this report was first published, the software category known as “learning management software” was then called “course management software.”)

Comparative Features Analysis of Leading Course Management Software

January 1, 2000 Version (Legacy Value)

Summary of the Report's Contents

  • 6 packages from major vendors are compared
    • Blackboard
    • IntraLearn
    • TopClass
    • VirtualU
    • Web Course In a Box
    • WebCT
Course Management Software Report
  • 6 analysis tables
    • Learning Tools
    • Collaboration Tools
    • Authoring Tools
    • Course Management Tools
    • Administration Tools/Costs
    • Comparative Scores of the Six Packages
  • 94 features used as criteria for evaluation
  • 45 printed pages in length
  • Complete Log of Feedback from Vendors and Users
  • Complete Revision History

Background

During the spring and summer of 1999, The University of the Future, LLC, (FutureU™) completed this research study to identify a robust set of features that support teaching and learning online and then compare six leading course management software (CMS) packages to determine the extent to which each one of the six packages provided the desired features.

The report on the results of this research was published on October 13, 1999. A month following the initial study, WebCT submitted an updated feature list based on version 2.0 of their product. A revised report integrating this feedback and input from other vendors and users into the report was published on January 1, 2000.

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation was twofold:

  1. to help academic institutions make informed decisions when they purchase or upgrade CMS products
  2. to help CMS developers make informed decisions when they plan for product development and marketing

Outcome

The research identified a total of 94 desired features. The number of features contained in each package was confirmed by checking with each vendor.

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Access

Ordinarily, we would have discontinued making this report available long ago, but thousands of people still visit FutureU looking for this report. There are dozens of legacy websites linking to this report from back when we first published it in 2,000. I guess people are still finding value in the report, probably not from the obviously outdated data but perhaps from the methodology.

If you’d like to read the original report, it is still available as a downloadable PDF file. The report originally sold for $195.00, but we now make it available for free as a public service.

Download it here:

Course Management Software-2000 Report (14 downloads )