Learning Management System (LMS) Evaluation - Week #4
LMS Evaluation - Week #4 Introduction
Welcome to the Week #4 Weebly Web Page review of Learning Management Systems (LMS): LMS #1 Brightspace and LMS #2 Canvas. Learning Management Systems are software applications for the administration, documentation, reporting, tracking, and delivery of training programs and educational courses.
Each week’s evaluation provides narrative of function and analysis for five capabilities offered by each LMS. The analysis concludes with a recommendation of the LMS that out-performs the other in areas including but not limited to: steps to execute a task, intuitiveness, effectiveness, aesthetics/appeal, and user experience.
Week #4 LMS Features and Capabilities Evaluation: Accessibility
Week 4’s evaluation reviews tools and methods of each LMS involving Accessibility of the system to facilitate course participants with disabilities. The five accessibility features reviewed this week are:
1. Modifying Dropbox Assignments with Differentiated Release Conditions
2. Modifying a Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions
3. Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Uploading a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning
4. Using an Accessible HTML Template with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
5. LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations
Welcome to the Week #4 Weebly Web Page review of Learning Management Systems (LMS): LMS #1 Brightspace and LMS #2 Canvas. Learning Management Systems are software applications for the administration, documentation, reporting, tracking, and delivery of training programs and educational courses.
Each week’s evaluation provides narrative of function and analysis for five capabilities offered by each LMS. The analysis concludes with a recommendation of the LMS that out-performs the other in areas including but not limited to: steps to execute a task, intuitiveness, effectiveness, aesthetics/appeal, and user experience.
Week #4 LMS Features and Capabilities Evaluation: Accessibility
Week 4’s evaluation reviews tools and methods of each LMS involving Accessibility of the system to facilitate course participants with disabilities. The five accessibility features reviewed this week are:
1. Modifying Dropbox Assignments with Differentiated Release Conditions
2. Modifying a Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions
3. Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Uploading a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning
4. Using an Accessible HTML Template with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
5. LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations
1. Modifying Dropbox Assignments with Differentiated Release Conditions
Modifying Dropbox assignments with differentiated release is a relatively simple process in Brightspace that allows an instructor to extend an assignment due date for special needs students, while assigning non-needs students to a different date.
To begin, select Assessment in the top tool ribbon, and then select Dropbox. Once in Dropbox, select the down arrow next to an assignment, and select Edit Folder. Once in edit, select the center Restrictions tab and enter a start and end date. While still in the restrictions tab, select beginning and ending assignment availability dates. These dates will apply to the entire class. To grant extended availability, select the Allow users with special access to submit files outside the normal availability dates for this folder radio button, and then select Add Users to Special Access. In this screen, modify the beginning or ending date as needed to complete an assignment. Select save when finished. You should now see that the selected student(s) have a different due date than the non-selected students.
View this YouTube video for a demonstration on how to modify Dropbox with Differentiated Release Conditions:
Modifying Dropbox assignments with differentiated release is a relatively simple process in Brightspace that allows an instructor to extend an assignment due date for special needs students, while assigning non-needs students to a different date.
To begin, select Assessment in the top tool ribbon, and then select Dropbox. Once in Dropbox, select the down arrow next to an assignment, and select Edit Folder. Once in edit, select the center Restrictions tab and enter a start and end date. While still in the restrictions tab, select beginning and ending assignment availability dates. These dates will apply to the entire class. To grant extended availability, select the Allow users with special access to submit files outside the normal availability dates for this folder radio button, and then select Add Users to Special Access. In this screen, modify the beginning or ending date as needed to complete an assignment. Select save when finished. You should now see that the selected student(s) have a different due date than the non-selected students.
View this YouTube video for a demonstration on how to modify Dropbox with Differentiated Release Conditions:
2. Modifying a Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions
Quizzes can also be modified to accommodate students who may require more time to complete. To modify a quiz to add additional time in Brightspace, select Assessment in the top tool ribbon, the select Quizzes and Exams. Next select the drop-down arrow next to a quiz and select Edit. In Edit mode, there are six tabs at the top of the page. Select the second tab from the left – Restrictions. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page and select Enforce a Time Limit under Timing.
Set a time limit, then select Add Users to Special Access at the bottom of the page. Select a user, then select the Add Special Access button. This brings up a Special Access Properties page. Under Timing, add the additional time in the time limit field, and add additional time in the Grace Period field as needed. Select the student requiring additional time, and then select the Add Special Access button to save.
Back in the Dates and Restrictions page, you will see the student and added time under the Special Access section at the bottom. Select Save and Close to complete the action.
3. Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Uploading a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning
Adding video to Brightspace can serve as an alternate learning method that appeals to more than one sense, and adds variety to a course. To add video that features closed captioning and an HTML introduction page, find an applicable YouTube video containing Closed Captioning (CC), then select Content in the top tool ribbon of the course.
On the left side of the page at the bottom, place the cursor in the “Add a module…” box, and name the new module “LMS Videos”. In the new module, select the down arrow on the New button, then select Create a File. This creates a new HTML blank page. In the page, provide a title and video description and any other pertinent information about the video. Next, select the first button on the top tool bar to insert the video embed code. Select Enter Embed Code on the left tool bar, and insert the YouTube video embed code. Make sure to modify the URL text to make the video secure by changing “http” to “https” at the beginning of the URL. Select Next, and then Insert. You will now see the video with title and description. Select Publish to finish.
Adding video to Brightspace can serve as an alternate learning method that appeals to more than one sense, and adds variety to a course. To add video that features closed captioning and an HTML introduction page, find an applicable YouTube video containing Closed Captioning (CC), then select Content in the top tool ribbon of the course.
On the left side of the page at the bottom, place the cursor in the “Add a module…” box, and name the new module “LMS Videos”. In the new module, select the down arrow on the New button, then select Create a File. This creates a new HTML blank page. In the page, provide a title and video description and any other pertinent information about the video. Next, select the first button on the top tool bar to insert the video embed code. Select Enter Embed Code on the left tool bar, and insert the YouTube video embed code. Make sure to modify the URL text to make the video secure by changing “http” to “https” at the beginning of the URL. Select Next, and then Insert. You will now see the video with title and description. Select Publish to finish.
4. Using an Accessible HTML Template with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Accessible HTML templates with Cascading Style Sheets are pre-made files and templates available at the Brightspace Community Website. These templates with CSS allows assistive technologies to interpret content easier than standard application based content. Downloading and inserting a specific style of sheet is a multi-step process in Brightspace.
First, a template is selected from the Brightspace Community website and saved to your computer. Then, a selected template style is uploaded to Brightspace via the Course Admin, Upload, Open and Save options. The files are then unzipped and the Template Style file is copied and re-named for use in a HTML module. Once it is saved to the module, the pre-made template can be opened and modified in HTML editor by either selecting on the text or selecting the format drop-down in HTML editor to select the desired content (Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3). Once the content has been added, select Save.
Accessible HTML templates with Cascading Style Sheets are pre-made files and templates available at the Brightspace Community Website. These templates with CSS allows assistive technologies to interpret content easier than standard application based content. Downloading and inserting a specific style of sheet is a multi-step process in Brightspace.
First, a template is selected from the Brightspace Community website and saved to your computer. Then, a selected template style is uploaded to Brightspace via the Course Admin, Upload, Open and Save options. The files are then unzipped and the Template Style file is copied and re-named for use in a HTML module. Once it is saved to the module, the pre-made template can be opened and modified in HTML editor by either selecting on the text or selecting the format drop-down in HTML editor to select the desired content (Heading 1, Heading 2, or Heading 3). Once the content has been added, select Save.
5. LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations
There are a significant number of reviews by for-profit organizations promoting LMS applications, which makes it difficult to separate non-biased reviews from biased. Reviews and reports from Accessibility Organizations, including World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Assistive Technology, Web AIM, and International Association of Accessibility professionals adds credibility to LMS accessibility research. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed through the W3C process established the goal of a single shared standard for web content that meets accessibility needs worldwide.
Finding accessibility reviews for Brightspace by accessibility organizations is problematic, and finding anything negative regarding accessibility compliance is even more difficult. Brightspace invests a significant amount of effort to promote accessibility standards compliance, including compliance with WCAG 2.0 and other recognized accessibility standards.
There are a significant number of reviews by for-profit organizations promoting LMS applications, which makes it difficult to separate non-biased reviews from biased. Reviews and reports from Accessibility Organizations, including World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Assistive Technology, Web AIM, and International Association of Accessibility professionals adds credibility to LMS accessibility research. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed through the W3C process established the goal of a single shared standard for web content that meets accessibility needs worldwide.
Finding accessibility reviews for Brightspace by accessibility organizations is problematic, and finding anything negative regarding accessibility compliance is even more difficult. Brightspace invests a significant amount of effort to promote accessibility standards compliance, including compliance with WCAG 2.0 and other recognized accessibility standards.
1. Modifying Dropbox Assignments with Differentiated Release Conditions
Canvas allows for Differentiated Release in fewer steps than Brightspace. Select either Modules or Assignments in the left tool ribbon, then select Edit.
Once in Edit, select the due date for the class in the Assign portion of the screen, and then select the +Add button to select a student and a different due date. Select Save. You can now see a due date for the class, and a separate due date for selected students.
View this YouTube video for a demonstration on how to modify Canvas with Differentiated Release Conditions:
Canvas allows for Differentiated Release in fewer steps than Brightspace. Select either Modules or Assignments in the left tool ribbon, then select Edit.
Once in Edit, select the due date for the class in the Assign portion of the screen, and then select the +Add button to select a student and a different due date. Select Save. You can now see a due date for the class, and a separate due date for selected students.
View this YouTube video for a demonstration on how to modify Canvas with Differentiated Release Conditions:
2. Modifying a Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions
To modify Differentiated Release Conditions for a quiz in Canvas, select Quizzes in the left tool ribbon. This takes you to the quiz page. Select the quiz you want to modify. In this quiz detail view, the quiz time limit is listed in the middle of the page. To add time to a quiz for a specific student, select Moderate This Quiz on the right of the screen under Related Items. In this view, select a student, then select Change Extensions for the selected student. You will see a pop-up that allows extra time on every attempt. Add the number of extra minutes allowed for the quiz, then select Save.
You will now see the student’s name with the statement “gets XX extra minutes on each attempt.” This completes the modification of Differentiated Release Conditions in Canvas.
3. Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Uploading a YouTube Video with Closed Captioning
Inserting Alternative Learning Materials is accomplished by creating a new module similar to Brightspace. On the left tool ribbon, select Modules, then select +Module in the upper right corner of the Module screen. Name the module LMS Videos, and select the Add Module button on the bottom right of the Add Module pop-up box.
To view the new module, scroll down to the bottom of the Modules page. Select the + button on the right of the new LMS Videos Module to add content. In Canvas, add a new Assignment Page, and name it Canvas YouTube Video. Clicking on the name (YouTube Video) hyper-links to the new page. To add content, select Edit on the top right of the page. This takes you to the HTML editor. Add a title and description of the video. Canvas is supposed to have the ability to directly paste YouTube embed code directly into the HTML page without selecting a separate embedding feature, but it wasn’t working properly during this evaluation. Instead, the YouTube link was inserted by selecting Insert Link in the HTML toolbar. This still embeds the video, but a smaller version. The video can be set to full screen for easier viewing, and closed captioning can be toggled on or off.
Inserting Alternative Learning Materials is accomplished by creating a new module similar to Brightspace. On the left tool ribbon, select Modules, then select +Module in the upper right corner of the Module screen. Name the module LMS Videos, and select the Add Module button on the bottom right of the Add Module pop-up box.
To view the new module, scroll down to the bottom of the Modules page. Select the + button on the right of the new LMS Videos Module to add content. In Canvas, add a new Assignment Page, and name it Canvas YouTube Video. Clicking on the name (YouTube Video) hyper-links to the new page. To add content, select Edit on the top right of the page. This takes you to the HTML editor. Add a title and description of the video. Canvas is supposed to have the ability to directly paste YouTube embed code directly into the HTML page without selecting a separate embedding feature, but it wasn’t working properly during this evaluation. Instead, the YouTube link was inserted by selecting Insert Link in the HTML toolbar. This still embeds the video, but a smaller version. The video can be set to full screen for easier viewing, and closed captioning can be toggled on or off.
4. Using an Accessible HTML Template with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
There is no straightforward method to import pre-made HTML templates with CSS using the “free” version of Canvas. HTML templates can be added if using an upgraded version that includes a page style editor. The “free” version includes a basic CSS feature built into the HTML Content Pages assignment feature.
Adding CSS is accomplished by adding a Content Page to any module, and selecting the Paragraph drop-down in the HTML toolbar to insert CSS formatting to the content page.
There is no straightforward method to import pre-made HTML templates with CSS using the “free” version of Canvas. HTML templates can be added if using an upgraded version that includes a page style editor. The “free” version includes a basic CSS feature built into the HTML Content Pages assignment feature.
Adding CSS is accomplished by adding a Content Page to any module, and selecting the Paragraph drop-down in the HTML toolbar to insert CSS formatting to the content page.
5. LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations
As with Brightspace, there are a lot of for profit opinions of LMS applications. Canvas, with its significant position in the LMS market, is not exempt from review bias. WebAIM.org, mentioned in section 5 of the Brightspace review, is a third-party source for web accessibility.
In October 2016, Web AIM evaluated Canvas and certified it to be substantially conformant with Level A and Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.0 (also mentioned above). Evaluated features of Canvas included calendars, quizzes, and communication tools.
As with Brightspace, there are a lot of for profit opinions of LMS applications. Canvas, with its significant position in the LMS market, is not exempt from review bias. WebAIM.org, mentioned in section 5 of the Brightspace review, is a third-party source for web accessibility.
In October 2016, Web AIM evaluated Canvas and certified it to be substantially conformant with Level A and Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.0 (also mentioned above). Evaluated features of Canvas included calendars, quizzes, and communication tools.
LMS Weekly Recommendation
Week 4's LMS comparison started off with the usual expectations. Brightspace involved significantly more steps to accomplish the first two tasks than Canvas, was less intuitive, and had a less visually appealing result than Canvas. When evaluating Task #3, Brightspace's step-by-step ability to insert a YouTube video using an embed code out shined Canvas's inability to insert an embed code in the HTML page (even though Canvas promotes this feature), leaving only the option to insert a link that featured a small embedded video required enlargement to view. This lack of capability presents a problem for students requiring a large viewing experience without taking extra steps.
Inserting HTML templates with Cascading Style Sheets was another area where Canvas fell short. While Canvas HTML pages includes a basic built-in CSS capability, customization was not achievable. LMS reviews did not factor into this week's evaluation as recent or relevant reviews by accessibility organizations was difficult to find. In conclusion, this week's recommendation is based on robust, built-in functionality, not intuitiveness or appearance.
Week #4 Recommendation:
Week 4's LMS comparison started off with the usual expectations. Brightspace involved significantly more steps to accomplish the first two tasks than Canvas, was less intuitive, and had a less visually appealing result than Canvas. When evaluating Task #3, Brightspace's step-by-step ability to insert a YouTube video using an embed code out shined Canvas's inability to insert an embed code in the HTML page (even though Canvas promotes this feature), leaving only the option to insert a link that featured a small embedded video required enlargement to view. This lack of capability presents a problem for students requiring a large viewing experience without taking extra steps.
Inserting HTML templates with Cascading Style Sheets was another area where Canvas fell short. While Canvas HTML pages includes a basic built-in CSS capability, customization was not achievable. LMS reviews did not factor into this week's evaluation as recent or relevant reviews by accessibility organizations was difficult to find. In conclusion, this week's recommendation is based on robust, built-in functionality, not intuitiveness or appearance.
Week #4 Recommendation: