I work as the Instructional Technology Director for a relatively small middle Georgia k12 system and we are planning on implementing Sakai (www.sakaiproject.org) which I'm currently running on a test server (it truly is free). Although the definitions between CMS and LMS are somtimes blurry to me, Sakai seems to provide some tools which lean towards being an LMS (especially the ePortfolio tool, which is actually the Open Source Portfolio system based on the work of the Open Source Portfolio Initiative www.osportfolio.org). There are other "tools" available, including blogging, wiki and podcasting tools. Primarily designed for use in higher education, I feel the system can be incorporated into a variety of educational settings and is fully customizable. There is a lot of energy being put in to this project by some major academic players, so it may be worth looking in to if you are interested. You can read more about Sakai, OSPI and other LMS options here http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/oct2005/adkins.htm

Best,
Neil

Neil Rigole
Director, Instructional Technology
Monroe County Schools
Forsyth, GA
rigolen at monroe.k12.ga.us
www.monroe.k12.ga.us

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lauren E Ellington/FS/VCU 
  To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List 
  Cc: Richard A Sebastian/FS/VCU 
  Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 11:40 AM
  Subject: [Technology 716] Re: Creating websites



  I think it's important to note that these aren't really LMSs (Learning Management Systems) but rather are CMSs (Course Management Systems).  Basically this means that you can create a classroom that multiple students will use rather than an individualized experience for each student that an LMS would afford.  The CMS software manages the course not the students. 

  This is actually a dilemma that we are facing here in my office.  We use Blackboard, the most well-known CMS, for our online courses, but we are embarking on a new project where an LMS is needed.  Does anyone know of any free true LMSs that are available? 

  **************************************************************
  Lauren Ellington
  Online Training Specialist, 
  Learning Disabilities Specialist, and
  Writer of Update and Update on LD
  Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  817 W. Franklin Street, Room 221  |  P.O. Box 842037
  Richmond, VA  23284-2037
  Phone:  1-800-237-0178 or  804-828-6158  
  Fax:  804-828-7539
  www.valrc.org 


        David Rosen <djrosen at comcast.net> 
        Sent by: technology-bounces at nifl.gov 
        11/19/2006 07:50 AM Please respond to
              The Technology and Literacy Discussion List <technology at nifl.gov> 


       To The Technology and Literacy Discussion List <technology at nifl.gov>  
              cc  
              Subject [Technology 715] Re: Creating websites 

              

       



  Technology Colleagues,

  Here's a link to a good list of (free) online learning management  
  systems that teachers can use to create a Web-based learning presence  
  that:

  .  enhances or supplements what is happening in your classes,
  . is an alternative to attending class for students who have to "stop  
  out" for a time,  or that
  . helps students on waiting lists to enroll in classes.

  http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej26/m2.html

  The tools listed are useful for but not limited to ESL/ESOL/ELL  
  teaching. Has anyone used the "Manhattan Virtual Classroom"? "A  
  Tutor"? "dotLRN"? If so, what are the strengths and weaknesses of  
  that LMS as you see it? Anyone have examples of a teacher-designed  
  online LMS, perhaps your own, that we could look at?

  David J. Rosen
  djrosen at comcast.net

  On Nov 9, 2006, at 5:06 PM, Nima Salehi wrote:

  > Teacher Web is another alternative. It's easier to use than Quia, but
  > requires more time and effort than Trackstar. It costs about $25/year
  > for a website where you can easily put up lots of resources and access
  > them with the click of an icon.  To take a look at several sample
  > Teacher Webs used by MN adult learning centers go to:
  > www.themlc.org/teacherweb
  >
  > I've used Trackstar and like it. It's free, easy, and a nice way to  
  > put
  > websites together in one place without too much effort.
  >
  > I'm currently creating classes on Moodle, so Wendy I would love to see
  > what you've done.
  >
  > Nima
  >
  > Nima Salehi
  > Educational technology specialist
  > Email:  nsalehi at themlc.org
  > http://www.theMLC.org/edtech
  >
  > From: "Wendy Quinones" <wbquinones at adelphia.net>
  >
  > Also Moodle.org, which is free, and has many options for creating
  > exercises, quizzes, and so on.  If folks are interested, I can arrange
  > for you to see that, too.
  >
  > Cheers,
  > Wendy Quinones
  >
  > ----------------------------------------------------
  > National Institute for Literacy
  > Technology and Literacy mailing list
  > Technology at nifl.gov
  > To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to  
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  David J. Rosen
  djrosen at comcast.net



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