In this tutorial:
There are many educational software options available, also known as Learning Management Systems (LMS). They can help you keep track of grades, give tests, and administer classes. Moodle, and Blackboard are two of the most popular of the many Learning Management Systems available. In this tutorial I will compare Moodle and Blackboard, to help you gain understanding of the differences. Then, it will be easier for you to decide which software option works best for your class or school system.
How much do they cost?
| Moodle | Free, open-source, and available for download from the Official Moodle website. You can also easily install Moodle using Softaculous |
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Blackboard Pricing depends on your specific needs. You must contact Blackboard for a quote.
What are the server requirements?
| Minimum Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | PHP 5.4.4 | Microsoft Windows Server®, Red Hat Enterprise Linux®, Sun Solaris™ |
| Database options | PostgreSQL 9.1, MariaDB 5.5.31, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Oracle Database 10.2 | Microsoft SQL Server®, Red Hat Enterprise Linux or Sun Solaris – Oracle® database |
Moodle / Blackboard Feature Chart
| Feature | Moodle | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Management | ||
| Student Roster / Attendance Management | ||
| Quiz/Test implementation | ||
| Journal | ||
| Discussion Forum | ||
| Language Learning options | ||
| Lesson Planner |
Help Options
When you are deciding on a software for your school or university to use, it is important to take into account the level of support included with the software. Since Moodle is free and open-source, there are many avenues for finding help, but no “live” technical support. Since you will need to purchase licenses for Blackboard, there will be some level of support, based on the license.
| Support option | Moodle | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|
| Forums | ||
| Knowledge Base | ||
| Live Tech Support |