Product Comparison

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Communication Tools
Product Name	The Blackboard Academic Suite (Release 8.0)	The Blackboard Learning System (Release 7) - Enterprise License
Developer Name	BlackBoard	BlackBoard
URL	Blackboard Academic Suite	Blackboard Learning Suite Enterprise
Review Date	August 25, 2008	November 01, 2006
Forums	The Blackboard Academic Suite (Release 8.0) Discussions	The Blackboard Learning System (Release 7) - Enterprise License Discussions
Reviewer	Email Review Staff	Afroze Mohammed email bio
Discussion Forum	A spell-checker is available for student and instructor responses. Reviewer Comments Discussions can be viewed by date, thread, or poster. Discussion threads are expandable and collapsible to view an entire conversation on one screen. Posts can contain URLs, file attachments and may contain HTML. The discussion software includes a formatting text editor which can create mathematic equations. Discuss	A spell-checker is available for student and instructor responses. Reviewer Comments Discussions can be viewed by date, thread, or poster. Discussion threads are expandable and collapsible to view an entire conversation on one screen. Discussion threads can be searched. Posts can contain URLs, file attachments and may contain HTML. The discussion software includes a formatting text editor which can create mathematic equations. Discuss
Discussion Management	Instructors can allow students to create discussion groups. Instructors can set up moderated discussions where all posts are screened. Posts may be peer reviewed by other students. Instructors can view statistical summaries of discussions displaying participation which can be used to generate grades. Discussions can be shared across courses, departments, or any institutional unit. Reviewer Comments Instructors can associate a discussion with any course content. Instructors can enable or disable anonymous posting, and determine whether student posts are re-editable. Instructors can determine if threads are graded or ungraded. Instructors can enable peer rating, which uses a 5-star scale. Instructors can determine if threads are moderated – if so, control over moderation can be delegated to any user. Instructors can view posting statistics to evaluate student participation. Instructors may create separate discussion environments for small groups of students and teaching assistants. Discuss	Instructors can allow students to create discussion groups. Instructors can set up moderated discussions where all posts are screened. Posts may be peer reviewed by other students. Instructors can view statistical summaries of discussions displaying participation which can be used to generate grades. Reviewer Comments Instructors can associate a discussion with any course content. Instructors can enable or disable anonymous posting, and determine whether student posts are re-editable. Instructors can determine if threads are graded or ungraded. Instructors can enable peer rating, which uses a 5-star scale. Instructors can determine if threads are moderated – if so, control over moderation can be delegated to any user. Instructors can view posting statistics to evaluate student participation. Instructors may create separate discussion environments for small groups of students and teaching assistants. Discuss
File Exchange	Students can submit assignments using drop boxes. Students can share the contents of their personal folders with other students. Administrators can define disk space limitations for each user. Reviewer Comments Students have a private folder into which they can upload and download files. Students can upload files to a shared group folder. Students can submit assignments using drop boxes. Instructors can upload files to the personal folder of a student. Students can also submit assignments to instructors via an integrated Assignment tool. Students and instructors can also exchange content outside of course boundaries. Students may access their folders and upload content using WebDAV. The system allows commenting, tracking, and versioning for documents. Discuss	Students can submit assignments using drop boxes. Students can share the contents of their personal folders with other students. Reviewer Comments Students have a private folder into which they can upload and download files. Students can upload files to a shared group folder. Students can submit assignments using drop boxes. Instructors can upload files to the personal folder of a student. Discuss
Internal Email	Students can use the built-in email functionality to email individuals or groups. Students can use a searchable address book. Instructors can email the entire class at once at a single address or alias. Reviewer Comments Students can use the Blackboard Messages (internal email) to email individuals in their courses. Emails can be sent to all users, users by role, or individual users. Students can attach files to emails, and emails can contain URLs, file attachments and may contain HTML. Discuss	Students can use the built-in email functionality to email individuals or groups. Students can use a searchable address book. Instructors can email the entire class at once at a single address or alias. Reviewer Comments Students can use Blackboard Messages (internal email) to email individuals, groups, or all users with a specific role in their courses. Students can attach files to emails, and emails can contain URLs, file attachments and may contain HTML. Discuss
Online Journal/Notes	Reviewer Comments Students can make private notes about their course. Students can also use Portfolios to manage online journaliing. Discuss	Reviewer Comments Students can make private notes about their course. Discuss
Real-time Chat	The chat tool supports unlimited simultaneous group discussions Students can create new rooms. Instructors may moderate chats and suspend students from the chat rooms. The chat tool supports a structured way for students to ask questions and instructors to provide answers. The system creates archive logs for all chat rooms. Reviewer Comments The Java-based chat tool supports unlimited simultaneous group discussions and private messages. Instructors may moderate chats and suspend students from the chat rooms. The system creates archive logs for all chat rooms. Instructors can view chat logs and share these with students. The virtual classroom tool supports a structured way for students to ask questions and instructors to provide answers. Discuss	The chat tool supports unlimited simultaneous group discussions Students can create new rooms. Instructors may moderate chats and suspend students from the chat rooms. The chat tool supports a structured way for students to ask questions and instructors to provide answers. The system creates archive logs for all chat rooms. Reviewer Comments The Java-based chat tool supports unlimited simultaneous group discussions and private messages. Instructors may moderate chats and suspend students from the chat rooms. The system creates archive logs for all chat rooms. Instructors can view chat logs and share these with students. The virtual classroom tool supports a structured way for students to ask questions and instructors to provide answers. Discuss
Whiteboard	The whiteboard supports image and PowerPoint uploading. The whiteboard supports mathematical symbols. The software supports group web browsing. The software supports application desktop sharing. The software can archive a recording of whiteboard sessions for future viewing. Reviewer Comments The software supports a whiteboard that can have multiple instances in the same course. The whiteboard supports mathematical symbols, and image and PowerPoint uploading. The software supports group web browsing. The software can archive a recording of whiteboard sessions for future viewing. Discuss	The whiteboard supports image and PowerPoint uploading. The whiteboard supports mathematical symbols. The software supports group web browsing. The software supports application desktop sharing. The software can archive a recording of whiteboard sessions for future viewing. Reviewer Comments The software supports a whiteboard that can have multiple instances in the same course. The whiteboard supports mathematical symbols, and image and PowerPoint uploading. The software supports group web browsing. The software can archive a recording of whiteboard sessions for future viewing. Discuss
Productivity Tools
Bookmarks	Reviewer Comments Students can create bookmarks to frequently-viewed content items. Discuss	Discuss
Calendar/Progress Review	Instructors and students can post events in the online course calendar. Instructors can post announcements to a course announcement page. Students have a personal home page that lists all courses in which the student is enrolled, new email and all course and system-wide events from their personal calendar. Students can view their grades on completed assignments, total points possible, course grade, and compare their grades against the class performance. Reviewer Comments Instructors can post course-related events and announcements in the course calendar or to the course homepage. The instructor can assign tasks by using the calendar and the instructor can enable an option so that the student can check their status at any point in a course. Students can check their grades on submitted assignments as well as compare their grades against the overall class performance. Discuss	Instructors and students can post events in the online course calendar. Instructors can post announcements to a course announcement page. Students have a personal home page that lists all courses in which the student is enrolled, new email and all course and system-wide events from their personal calendar. Students can view their grades on completed assignments, total points possible, course grade, and compare their grades against the class performance. Reviewer Comments Instructors can post course-related events and announcements in the course calendar or to the course homepage. The instructor can assign tasks by using the calendar and the instructor can enable an option so that the student can check their status at any point in a course. Students can check their grades on submitted assignments as well as compare their grades against the overall class performance. Discuss
Searching Within Course	Students can search all course content. Students can search all discussion threads. Reviewer Comments Students can search all course content and chat or virtual classroom session recordings by name or dates. Discuss	Students can search all discussion threads. Students can search chat or virtual classroom session recordings. Reviewer Comments Students can search all Discussion Boards, as well as chat or virtual classroom session recordings by name or dates. Discuss
Work Offline/Synchronize	Students can compile and download the content for an entire course into a format that can be printed or stored locally. Instructors can publish course content on a CD-ROM that can be linked to dynamically from within the online course or viewed offline. Students can download course content and discussion group content with a PDA. Reviewer Comments Instructors can publish course content on a CD-ROM that can be linked to dynamically from within the online course or viewed offline. Students can download course content into a format that can be accessed on a mobile device and synchronize calendar events with a PDA. Discuss	Students can compile and download the content for an entire course into a format that can be printed or stored locally. Instructors can publish course content on a CD-ROM that can be linked to dynamically from within the online course or viewed offline. Students can download course content and discussion group content with a PDA. Reviewer Comments Instructors can publish course content on a CD-ROM that can be linked to dynamically from within the online course or viewed offline. Students can download course content into a format that can be accessed on a mobile device and synchronize calendar events with a PDA. Discuss
Orientation/Help	The system includes online tutorials for students that help students learn how to use the system. Reviewer Comments Students can access online tutorials, a student manual, the product knowledge base, and the product reference center. Discuss	The system includes online tutorials for students that help students learn how to use the system. Reviewer Comments Students can access online tutorials, a student manual, the product knowledge base, and the product reference center. Discuss
Student Involvement Tools
Groupwork	Instructors can assign students to groups. The system can randomly create groups of a certain size or a set number of groups. Students can self-select groups. Each group can have its own discussion forum. Each group can have its own chat or whiteboard. Each group can be given group-specific assignments or activities. Groups may be private or instructors can monitor groups. Reviewer Comments The software supports assigning students into groups by the instructor. Each group can have its own shared file exchange, private group discussion forum, synchronous tools, and group email list. Discuss	Instructors can assign students to groups. The system can randomly create groups of a certain size or a set number of groups. Each group can have its own discussion forum. Each group can have its own chat or whiteboard. Each group can be given group-specific assignments or activities. Groups may be private or instructors can monitor groups. Reviewer Comments The software supports assigning students into groups by the instructor. Each group can have its own shared file exchange, private group discussion forum, synchronous tools, and group email list. Discuss
Community Networking	Students can create online clubs, interest, and study groups at the system level. Students from different courses can interact in system-wide chat rooms or discussion forums. Reviewer Comments If allowed, students can create online clubs, interest, and study groups. These groups can have their own catalog, templates, discussion boards, and more. Discuss	Students can create online clubs, interest, and study groups at the system level. Students from different courses can interact in system-wide chat rooms or discussion forums. Reviewer Comments If allowed, students can create online clubs, interest, and study groups. Discuss
Student Portfolios	Students can create a personal home page in each course. Students can use their personal home page to selectively display their course work. Students can export their personal home page. Reviewer Comments Students can create a personal home page. Personal home pages may include their photo, personal information, and links to important websites. Students may create portfolios, which can be private, shared with courses, shared with other users, or public. Students can contribute links, documents, or template-driven content to their portfolio, and can control the portfolio’s look and feel. Portfolios can be exported. Discuss	Students can create a personal home page in each course. Reviewer Comments Students can create a personal home page. Personal home pages may include a photo, personal information, and links to important websites. Discuss
Administration Tools
Authentication	Administrators can allow guest access to all courses. The system can authenticate against an external LDAP server. The system can authenticate using the Kerberos protocol. The system supports Shibboleth. The system supports the Central Authentication Service (CAS). Administrators can set up fail-through authentication against a secondary source (e.g. the system's own database) in the event that the primary source (e.g. LDAP server ) fails. The system can support multiple organizational units and virtual hosts within a server configuration. Reviewer Comments Administrators can set courses to be publicly accessible or protect access to individual courses with a username and password. The system can also authenticate against an external LDAP server, Active Directory, Microsoft's .NET Passport Web Service, or using other protocols (Kerberos, Shibboleth, and CAS have been implemented). SIF is also compatible. User sessions can be encrypted with SSL. Administrators can set up fail-through authentication against multiple sources in the event that the primary source fails. Passwords stored in the system database are encoded. Discuss	Administrators can allow guest access to all courses. The system can authenticate against an external LDAP server. The system can authenticate using the Kerberos protocol. The system supports Shibboleth. The system supports the Central Authentication Service (CAS). The system can authenticate against IMAP, POP3 or secure NNTP. Administrators can set up fail-through authentication against a secondary source (e.g. the system's own database) in the event that the primary source (e.g. LDAP server ) fails. Reviewer Comments Administrators can set courses to be publicly accessible or protect access to individual courses with a username and password. The system can also authenticate against an external LDAP server, Active Directory, Microsoft's .NET Passport Web Service, or using other protocols (Kerberos, CAS and Shibboleth have been implemented). SIF is compatible. User sessions can be encrypted with SSL. Administrators can set up fail-through authentication against multiple sources in the event that the primary source fails. Passwords stored in the system database are encoded. Discuss
Course Authorization	The system supports restricting access based on roles and roles can also be customizedby the service provider. Administrators can create an unlimited number of custom organizational units and roles with specific access privileges to course content and tools. Administrators can distribute the permissions and roles across multiple institutions or departments hosted in the server environment. Instructors or students may be assigned different roles in different courses. Reviewer Comments Administrators can create multiple domains, and designate users, courses, roles, and brands to each domain. Administrators can create an unlimited number of custom organizational units and roles with specific access privileges to course content and tools. Instructors or students may be assigned different roles in different courses. Administrators and Instructors can assign different levels of access to the system or to specific courses based on pre-defined roles. Administrators can delegate administration of the system to different organizational entities within an institution or consortia. The system can access authorization information stored in an LDAP directory. Discuss	The system supports restricting access based on roles and roles can also be customizedby the service provider. Instructors or students may be assigned different roles in different courses. Reviewer Comments Administrators can create an unlimited number of custom organizational units and roles with specific access privileges to course content and tools. Instructors or students may be assigned different roles in different courses. Administrators and Instructors can assign different levels of access to the system or to specific courses based on pre-defined roles. The system can access authorization information stored in an LDAP directory. Discuss
Registration Integration	Instructors can add students to their courses manually or allow students to self-register. Administrators can batch add students to the system using a delimited text file. Administrators can transfer student information bidirectionally between the system and an SIS using delimited text files. The software supports data interchange with student information systems through an event-driven API. The software supports integration with SCT Banner, SCT Luminis, Datatel, PeopleSoft 8 or customized integration with other SIS or portal systems. The software is compliant with the IMS Enterprise Specification for Student Data. Reviewer Comments Administrators and Instructors can batch add students to a course using a delimited text file or students can self-register. Administrators can batch create courses, users, and enrollments in the system. The software supports integration with student information systems through an event-driven API or through their tool which is based on scheduled system extracts. Administrators can transfer student information bi-directionally between the system and an SIS in batch or in real time. The system supports the use of SOAP-based data integration. Integration with Student Information Systems is available through existing plug-ins. The service provider will assist, as a services engagement, in transferring student registration information between the CMS and the institutional SIS. The software is compliant with the IMS Enterprise specification for student data. Discuss	Instructors can add students to their courses manually or allow students to self-register. Administrators can batch add students to the system using a delimited text file. Administrators can transfer student information bidirectionally between the system and an SIS using delimited text files. The software supports data interchange with student information systems through an event-driven API. The software supports integration with SCT Banner, SCT Luminis, Datatel, PeopleSoft 8 or customized integration with other SIS or portal systems. The software is compliant with the IMS Enterprise Specification for Student Data. Reviewer Comments Administrators and Instructors can batch add students to a course using a delimited text file or students can self-register. Administrators can batch create courses, users, and enrollments in the system. The software supports integration with student information systems through an event-driven API or through their tool which is based on scheduled system extracts. Administrators can transfer student information bi-directionally between the system and an SIS in batch or in real time. The system supports the use of SOAP-based data integration. Integration with Student Information Systems is available through existing plug-ins. The service provider will assist, as a services engagement, in transferring student registration information between the CMS and the institutional SIS. The software is compliant with the IMS Enterprise specification for student data. Discuss
Hosted Services	The product provider offers a hosted solution. Reviewer Comments The product provider offers a hosted system that includes 99.75% Service Level Agreements with guaranteed system availability and performance on a network of high-performance, fault-tolerant servers with fail-over capability including load balancing and clustering, managed software installation, redundant Internet connections, redundant and conditioned power, redundant hosting platforms, 24x7x365 monitoring, 10GB – 20GB storage space to start, managed bandwidth usage, redundant T3 connections, daily data backups and weekly tape backups, and a secure facility with environmental control and a modern alarm/security system. Discuss	The product provider offers a hosted solution. Reviewer Comments The product provider offers a hosted system that includes 99.75% Service Level Agreements with guaranteed system availability and performance on a network of high-performance, fault-tolerant servers with fail-over capability including load balancing and clustering, managed software installation, redundant Internet connections, redundant and conditioned power, redundant hosting platforms, 24x7x365 monitoring, 10GB – 20GB storage space to start, managed bandwidth usage, redundant T3 connections, daily data backups and weekly tape backups, and a secure facility with environmental control and a modern alarm/security system. Discuss
Course Delivery Tools
Test Types	Multiple choice Multiple answer Matching Ordering Jumbled sentence Calculated Fill-in the blank Short answer Survey questions Essay Questions can contain other media elements (images, videos, audio) Discuss	Multiple choice Multiple answer Matching Ordering Jumbled sentence Calculated Fill-in the blank Short answer Survey questions Essay Questions can contain other media elements (images, videos, audio) Discuss
Automated Testing Management	The system can randomize the questions and answers. Instructors can create self-assessments. Instructors can set a time limit on a test. Instructors can permit multiple attempts. The students are allowed to review past attempts of a quiz. The system supports a MathML editor for the inclusion of mathematical formulas in both questions and answers. Instructors can specify whether correct results are shown as feedback The system supports proctored tests. Reviewer Comments Instructors can create different levels of feedback messages. Instructors can import questions from existing test banks. Instructors can set dates and times for when students must access tests. Instructors can use passwords to restrict access to tests. Instructors can use the MathML and WebEQ equation editors to enable students to enter and edit mathematical notations. Instructors can create unit-specific tests or course-level tests. Instructors can provide personalized comments for essay/short answer questions, and can add comments to assessment results. Instructors can create extra-credit questions that can be scored separately. Instructors can differentially weight tests and create grading rules. Instructors can choose which attempt(s) to include in the grade calculations. Instructors can override the automated scoring and determine how to communicate test results to students. Discuss	The system can randomize the questions and answers. Instructors can create self-assessments. Instructors can set a time limit on a test. Instructors can permit multiple attempts. The students are allowed to review past attempts of a quiz. The system supports a MathML editor for the inclusion of mathematical formulas in both questions and answers. Instructors can specify whether correct results are shown as feedback The system supports proctored tests. Reviewer Comments Instructors can create different levels of feedback messages. Instructors can import questions from existing test banks. Instructors can set dates and times for when students must access tests. Instructors can use passwords to restrict access to tests. Instructors can use the MathML and WebEQ equation editors to enable students to enter and edit mathematical notations. Instructors can create unit-specific tests or course-level tests. Instructors can provide personalized comments for essay/short answer questions, and can add comments to assessment results. Instructors can create extra-credit questions that can be scored separately. Instructors can differentially weight tests and create grading rules. Instructors can choose which attempt(s) to include in the grade calculations. Instructors can override the automated scoring and determine how to communicate test results to students. Discuss
Automated Testing Support	Instructors can create personal test banks. Instructors can create system wide test banks. Questions can be imported from external test banks that support QTI. The system provides test analysis data. Reviewer Comments Instructors can create question pools, an export and import those pools. The system provides analysis data for surveys and test item results can be exported for analysis. Discuss	Instructors can create personal test banks. Instructors can create system wide test banks. The system provides test analysis data. Reviewer Comments Instructors can create question pools, an export and import those pools. The system provides analysis data for surveys and test item results can be exported for analysis. Discuss
Online Marking Tools	Instructors can choose to mark each student on all questions or to mark each question on all students. Instructors can choose to evaluate student responses anonymously. Instructors can enable students to rate and comment on submissions of other students. Reviewer Comments Instructors, and teaching assistants can mark paragraph questions, and mark and return assignments turned in through the Assignment tool. Instructors can provide feedback on quizzes and tests through annotations. Discuss	Reviewer Comments Instructors, and teaching assistants can mark paragraph questions, and mark and return assignments turned in through the assignment dropbox. Instructors can provide feedback on all assignments through annotations. Instructors can publish student submissions as examples for other students to see. Discuss
Online Gradebook	When an instructor adds an assignment to the course, the software automatically adds it to the gradebook. Instructors can add grades for offline assignments. Instructors can add details to the gradebook in custom columns. Instructors can export the scores in the gradebook to an external spreadsheet. Instructors can create a course grading scale that can employ either percents, letter grades, or pass/fail metrics. Reviewer Comments Instructors can add the grades for offline assignments to the online gradebook. Instructors can sort and view grades in the gradebook by assignment, by student, by category and for all students on all assignments. Instructors can import and export a comma-delimited version of the gradebook from/to an external spreadsheet program. Instructors can search the gradebook to find all students who meet a specific performance criteria, mark, or status such as exam completion. Instructors can create a course grading scale that can employ raw scores, percentages, letter grades or pass/fail metrics. When an instructor adds an assessment or assignment to the course, the software automatically adds it to the gradebook. The gradebook supports the creation of custom columns which can contain either grade information or other instructor-determined details. Instructors can delegate the responsibility for grading assignments. Instructors can manually edit all grades. The software automatically calculates the average grade on each assignment. Instructors can download the results of a test across sections of a course and across semesters. Instructors can aggregate data and perform item-level analysis of individual survey items across the entire system. Discuss	When an instructor adds an assignment to the course, the software automatically adds it to the gradebook. Instructors can add grades for offline assignments. Instructors can add details to the gradebook in custom columns. Instructors can export the scores in the gradebook to an external spreadsheet. Instructors can create a course grading scale that can employ either percents, letter grades, or pass/fail metrics. Reviewer Comments Instructors can add the grades for offline assignments to the online gradebook. Instructors can sort and view grades in the gradebook by assignment, by student, by category and for all students on all assignments. Instructors can import and export a comma-delimited version of the gradebook from/to an external spreadsheet program. Instructors can search the gradebook to find all students who meet a specific performance criteria, mark, or status such as exam completion. Instructors can create a course grading scale that can employ raw scores, percentages, letter grades or pass/fail metrics. When an instructor adds an assessment or assignment to the course, the software automatically adds it to the gradebook. The gradebook supports the creation of custom columns which can contain either grade information or other instructor-determined details. Instructors can delegate the responsibility for grading assignments. Instructors can manually edit all grades. The software automatically calculates the average grade on each assignment. Instructors can download the results of a test across sections of a course and across semesters. Instructors can aggregate data and perform item-level analysis of individual survey items across the entire system. Discuss
Course Management	Instructors can selectively release assignments, assessments, and announcements based on specific start and stop dates. Instructors can release materials based on a single criteria (date, grade, etc.) or instructors can use Boolean expressions to identify multiple selective release criteria. Instructors can set up specific course content that is released on a specific date and must be completed by students before they continue with the course. Instructors can link discussions to specific dates or course events. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on group membership. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on previous course activity. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on student performance. Reviewer Comments Instructors can selectively release assessments, announcements and other materials based on previous course activity, previous grade, or specific start and end dates. Instructors can specify start and stop dates for the entire course or for specific materials. Discuss	Instructors can selectively release assignments, assessments, and announcements based on specific start and stop dates. Instructors can release materials based on a single criteria (date, grade, etc.) or instructors can use Boolean expressions to identify multiple selective release criteria. Instructors can set up specific course content that is released on a specific date and must be completed by students before they continue with the course. Instructors can link discussions to specific dates or course events. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on group membership. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on previous course activity. Instructors can personalize access to specific course materials based on student performance. Reviewer Comments Instructors can selectively release assessments, announcements and other materials based on previous course activity, previous grade, or specific start and end dates. Instructors can specify start and stop dates for the entire course or for specific materials. Discuss
Student Tracking	Instructors can track the frequency and duration of student access to individual course components. Instructors can get reports showing the time and date and frequency students as an aggregated group accessed course content. Instructors can get reports showing the number of times, time, date, frequency and IP address of each student who accessed course content, discussion forums, course assessments, and assignments. Reviewer Comments The Performance Dashboard contains at-a-glance statistics about student access, grades, and Discussion Boar participation. The Early Warning System allows instructors to set rules for acceptable performance, and track students based on those rules. Students who appear to be at risk can be notified within the system, and notifications are tracke. Instructors can get reports showing the number of times and date on which each student accessed course content, discussion forums and assignments. Instructors can set a flag on individual course components to track the frequency with which students access those components. Discuss	Instructors can track the frequency and duration of student access to individual course components. Instructors can get reports showing the time and date and frequency students as an aggregated group accessed course content. Instructors can get reports showing the number of times, time, date, frequency and IP address of each student who accessed course content, discussion forums, course assessments, and assignments. Reviewer Comments The Performance Dashboard contains at-a-glance statistics about student access, grades, and Discussion Boar participation. The Early Warning System allows instructors to set rules for acceptable performance, and track students based on those rules. Students who appear to be at risk can be notified within the system, and notifications are tracke. Instructors can get reports showing the number of times and date on which each student accessed course content, discussion forums and assignments. Instructors can set a flag on individual course components to track the frequency with which students access those components. Discuss
Content Development Tools
Accessibility Compliance	The product provider self-reports that the software complies with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act. The product provider self-reports that the software complies with the WAI WCAG 1.0 Level A guidelines. The product provider self-reports that the software complies with the WAI WCAG 1.0 AA guidelines. Reviewer Comments To comply with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act, the software implements the following features: a tool for instructors to add alt tags to uploaded images, alt tags on all system images, data tables that are optimized for use with screen readers, documentation to assist students and instructors in the use of the assistive technologies the software supports, appropriately titled framesets that describe the functionality of the frames layout, and support for most screen reader technology including JAWS. Developers and designers on the staff of the product provider are trained in the use of Section 508 standards and development techniques. Discuss	The product provider self-reports that the software complies with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act. The product provider self-reports that the software complies with the WAI WCAG 1.0 Level A guidelines. The product provider self-reports that the software complies with the WAI WCAG 1.0 AA guidelines. Reviewer Comments To comply with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act, the software implements the following features: a tool for instructors to add alt tags to uploaded images, alt tags on all system images, data tables that are optimized for use with screen readers, documentation to assist students and instructors in the use of the assistive technologies the software supports, appropriately titled framesets that describe the functionality of the frames layout, and support for most screen reader technology including JAWS. Developers and designers on the staff of the product provider are trained in the use of Section 508 standards and development techniques. Discuss
Content Sharing/Reuse	Instructors can share content with other instructors and students through a central learning objects repository. The repository can be system-wide or for individual organizational units. Tools are available to enable version tracking and linking to specific versions as well as the creation and management of workflows for collaborative content creation and review. The repository supports IEEE LOM and metadata application profiles such as, Dublin Core, Cancore, and custom profiles. Reviewer Comments The system supports sharing content across course and institution boundaries. The system provides a central content repository where course content files can be stored and accessed by other instructors. Instructors can designate their files to be private or publicly accessible. Content files can also be shared with specific groups or users as well as individuals outside of the system. Instructors can create links to content files in the central content repository so that changes made to the linked content are automatically displayed in their courses. Tools are available to enable version tracking and linking to specific versions as well as the creation and management of workflows for collaborative content creation and review. Instructors can describe course content using metadata. The repository supports IMS, Dublin Core, and custom tagging standards. Discuss	Discuss
Course Templates	The software provides support for template-based course creation. The system provides course design wizards that provide step-by-step guides that take faculty and course designers through the completion of common course tasks, such as setting up the course homepage, syllabus, organizer pages, content modules, discussion. Course content may be uploaded through WebDAV. The system allows administrators to use an existing course or a pre-defined template as a basis for a new course. Reviewer Comments Instructors can use templates to create course content. Content can be uploaded through WebDAV or a form.The templates include a rich text content editor. Instructors can categorize course content as announcements, calendar entries, course units, discussion forums, handouts, instructor biography, lecture notes, links, syllabus and course descriptions, tips, FAQs and resources. Instructors can create new content templates. A Course Creation Wizard enables instructors to easily set up a course using templates. Discuss	The software provides support for template-based course creation. The system provides course design wizards that provide step-by-step guides that take faculty and course designers through the completion of common course tasks, such as setting up the course homepage, syllabus, organizer pages, content modules, discussion. The system allows administrators to use an existing course or a pre-defined template as a basis for a new course. Reviewer Comments Instructors can use templates to create course content. The templates include a rich text content editor. Instructors can categorize course content as announcements, calendar entries, course units, discussion forums, handouts, instructor biography, lecture notes, links, syllabus and course descriptions, tips, FAQs and resources. Instructors can create new content templates. A Course Creation Wizard enables instructors to easily set up a course using templates. Discuss