Week #2: D2L v. Canvas

Intro

EDT 8140 - LMS and Evaluation

This evaluation is to compare the following functions of 2 learning management systems, Canvas and Desire2Learn (D2L). The evaluations are accompanied by walk-throughs of the specific function.

1. Create Electronic Gradebook Categories and Items

2. Create Groups

3. Create Group Discussion Topics

4. Create Synchronous Web Conference Session

5. Perform a Quality Check as a Demo Student

After evaluating the above functions for each LMS, I will make a professional recommendation on the better LMS of the two.

Canvas Eval.

Create Electronic Gradebook Categories and Items

Change Grade Settings:

Pros: Quick access from home screen
Cons: Not many customizable options

Add Category Folders:

Pros: Simple process
Cons: N/A.

Add Grade Items:

Pros: Very intuitive
Cons: N/A

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Groups

Creating Groups:

Pros: Simple and very quick
Cons: N/A

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Group Discussion Topics

Create New Forum Folder:

Cons: Forums not available in Canvas.

Create Group Discussion Topic:

Pros: Super quick and straightforward
Cons: Not as available in demo

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Synchronous Web Conference Session

Creating Synchronous Web Conference Session:

Pros: Very intuitive
Cons: Unable to quality check due to demo limitations

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Perform a Quality Check as a Demo Student

Create Demo Student and Impersonate Demo Student:

Pros: One-click process
Cons: N/A

Pros: Easy to access and quick input
Cons: N/A

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Desire2Learn Eval.

Create Electronic Gradebook Categories and Items

Change Grade Settings:

Pros: The options offer a great deal of customization and flexibility
Cons: The number of options makes the process confusing for a person with little experience or who wants a simple, standard set-up.

Add Category Folders:

Pros: Click "New" and put the desired category name, so simple
Cons: N/A.

Add Grade Items:

Pros: Simple to use
Cons: Bit of a process

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Groups

Creating Groups:

Pros: Quick and Easy
Cons: Doesn't use the word group, not so intuitive

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Group Discussion Topics

Create New Forum Folder:

Pro: Straight forward operation
Cons: N/A

Create Group Discussion Topic:

Pros: Quickly create multiple topics under one forum is a plus
Cons: More of a learning curb with this system

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Create Synchronous Web Conference Session

Creating Synchronous Web Conference Session:

Pros: Used program previously
Cons: Downloading and running BB-Collab is a tedious process

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

Perform a Quality Check as a Demo Student

Create Demo Student and Impersonate Demo Student:

Pros: Allows faculty to check course quality
Cons: Not intuitive, time consuming

Pros: Simple and intuitive.
Cons: No view of work while grading

The following video is a tutorial on the above function(s):

WEEK 2 LMS RECOMMENDATION

1. Create Electronic Gradebook Categories and Items: Canvas

- Canvas is quick and simple

2. Create Groups: Tie

- Negligible differences

3. Create Group Discussion Topics: Canvas

- Canvas is so quick

4. Create Synchronous Web Conference Session: Canvas

- D2L is a pain in this area

5. Perform a Quality Check as a Demo Student: Canvas

- Canvas has one-click process

Week 2 Recommendation: Canvas

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