Comparison of Online Course Delivery Software Products

There have been several reviews done regarding the comparison of online course delivery tools that are on the market today, but none of the reviews that we have seen contain all of the available products.  These comparisons also have different comparison features. What we have attempted to do is put together an all inclusive list of products available and all imaginable features from a compilation of several comparisons that we found on various company or University web pages.  However, we need your help in completing and updating the list.  Not all of the tools on the market are listed below, nor have all of the features been identified.  If anyone knows of another tool or feature that should be checked off, please contact us so that we can add the appropriate information (citcomparison@marshall.edu).

 The tables below review the software products that are listed following this paragraph.  The number corresponding to each product represents the numbers for the column headings found in each of the tables.  A column noted with a represents a feature that the product possesses (please note:  just because two or more products possess the same feature does not mean that those features function in the exact same manner).  The reviews are categorized by: Developmental Features, Instructor Tools, Instructional Features, Student Tools, Technical Support, Administrator Tools, Administrative Features, Software Costs, and Hardware Costs.
  1. Blackboard
  2. Convene
  3. Embanet
  4. eCollege.com
  5. IntraLearn  
  6. Symposium
  7. TopClass
  8. WebCT
  9. The Learning Manager
  10. WebMentor
  11. Lotus Learning Space (not reviewed at present)
  12. Integrated Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE)
  13. Softarc FirstClass (not reviewed at present)
  14. LUVIT
  15. Milken Educator Virtual Workspace (MEVW) (not reviewed at present)
  16. IMSeries (not reviewed at present)
  17. Asymetrix Librarian  
  18. Serf  (not reviewed at present)
  19. Virtual-U  
  20. eduprise.com
DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Content format will allow for simple transfer to/from another vendor's platform    
Platform uses open data standard so that it can communicate with existing university database applications    
Content can be authored on PCs running Windows 95/98/NT  
Content can be authored on Macs running OS 7.5 or greater        
Courses can be taken using a PC running Windows 95/98/NT  
Courses can be taken using a Macintosh running OS 7.5 or greater    
Platform provider is supportive of implementing IMS standard within product     
Platform provider is supportive of implementing AICC standards within product      
Platform utilizes standard HTML for content creation  
Platform is structured so students can view all of their current courses when they log on  
Platform's server software will run on DEC Unix                
Platform's server software will run on Windows NT      
Multiple choice questions can be created\scored with platform's authoring software    
True\False questions can be created\scored with platform's authoring software    
Matching questions can be created\scored with platform's authoring software    
Short answer questions can be created\scored with platform's authoring software      
Essay questions can be created\cored with platform's authoring software      
Platform supports question database for management of test questions      
Platforms supports reporting features for test questions      
Platform supports Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x and newer browsers  
Platform supports testing stage for courses to debugged before making them live to students  
Platform allows author to view course as student without logging out  
Platform has built-in threaded discussion list capabilities    
Platform has built-in chat capabilities      
Platform can be integrated with Real networks video and audio products  
Platform can be integrated with Macromedia Shockwave products  
Vendor provides development services  
Management component will create reports for tracking student progress    
Platform has a feature to import existing test questions in a tab-delimited format            

INSTRUCTOR TOOLS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Course planning        
Course managing        
Fast course revising        
Course monitoring          
Instructional designing        
Presenting information        
On-line testing        
On-line grading        
Managing records        
No HTML knowledge required        
Customization of student curriculum              
Student tracking          
Automated grading          
Level of control over design        
Instructor can assign specific course material  to individual or group of students    

     
Multiple choice self test tutorial questions - (automatic marking)          
"Fill in the blank" self test tutorial questions - (automatic marking)          
Customized feedback to tutorial questions            
Redirect path of tutorial depending on question answers                
Timed quizzes (graded with permanent mark retention)              
On line marking and grades management of timed quizzes            
Generate random set of questions            
Allows developer to preview course as a student

INSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Platform choice can be customized to incorporate SPU distinctives            
Faculty to student asynchronous communication is possible      
Faculty to student synchronous communication is possible