Opportunities for Open Source eLearning

Abstract

eLearning is often conceived as a single product. In reality, however, the market offering is very heterogeneous with a large product variety. Think of Learning Management Systems, Virtual Classrooms, Authorware, Test and Assessment Tools, Simulators, and many more. Each of these eLearning applications is available from multiple vendors and middlemen. Next to more than 250 providers of commercial Learning Management Systems, more than 40 Open Source LMS offerings can be identified. In this article, I discuss if open source applications for eLearning offer an alternative to commercial offerings today, specifically in the context of education. The lessons drawn here also apply to other (public) organizations and applications.