How to Choose an e-Learning Management System

If you are looking to implement an e-Learning Management System (LMS), there are plenty of options available on the marketplace, including the free IQity Learning Suite. In order to make an informed decision about what's best for your online classroom or blended learning environment, let's examine two types of e-Learning Management Systems - hosted or installed - to help determine which would be the best fit for your unique learning situation.

Installed e-Learning Management Systems

An installed e-Learning Management System is one that is purchased from a vendor like Angel Learning. After buying their software product, you must install the e-Learning Management System on your own computer system and then manage and maintain it with your Information Technology (IT) resources. 

Products like the Angel Learning Management Suite, which is currently on version 7.3, would need to be upgraded as the system evolves, which would be another expense to inquire about when looking at budgeting for an e-Learning Management System.

When using an installed e-Learning Management System, you are also responsible for ensuring that the system is working 24/7, and you need to have a viable back-up plan if your server goes down.  A program like Angel Learning Management also has the capability of hosting customers' e-Learning Management Systems, but that comes at an additional cost.

Another factor to consider is content.  Does the e-Learning Management System software come with content or do you have to choose or provide your own?  Angel has several "partners" that are compatible with their e-Learning Management System, but the purchaser would have to review and choose the content to be used on the system.

Hosted e-Learning Management Systems

A more cost-effective option is to use a hosted e-Learning Management System, which does not require you to purchase software because you access the system over the Internet.  Hosted e-Learning Management Systems are operated, supported and maintained by an entity outside of your school. For example, IQity is a hosted service, meaning that there is nothing for schools to install, no need for special equipment like a dedicated server, no updates to purchase and nothing special to maintain. All that is needed is access to the Internet. 

IQity offers an e-Learning Management System that is ideal for both online schools and blended-learning situations in more traditional classrooms.  However, IQity is much more than a hosted e-Learning Management System, as it also features an online interactive classroom webcasting tool, tailored messaging and communications systems, and integrated graduation tests aligned with state standards.

Users have nearly unlimited choice of content with IQity Reactor, which is the most comprehensive learning object repository in the world, and was ranked best in the nation by an independent study. REACTOR gives educators access to a continually growing repository of tools including: lessons, quizzes, assignments, labs, study guides, videos, tests, and biographies. Teachers can easily search, preview, retrieve, customize, and use any of these learning objects with just a few clicks of the mouse. REACTOR can also be quickly searched by state standard, keyword, author, topic, grade level, or user rating.

Best of all, IQity is free to schools and school districts. To see how your school can use IQity's e-Learning Management System, click here to request an online demonstration guided by one of our elearning experts.