In the current situations where e-learning/LMS is not a luxury or add-on , it has become the requirement . COVID-19 has accelerated this requirement in many fold and Whenever there is a discussion about e-learning or LMS , especially in open source, No other system stands against Moodle.
So the real question is,
If Moodle has so much capability, then why universities/institute/Teachers/ should have a second thought ? or even, should they have second thoughts?
My Answer is, Client must have second thought . lets Discuss, Why?
Moodle is a wonderful LMS engine with an un-matched capability. A Generic LMS , focused on core features that provide the complete capability for an online education process. Basically, All the features that are directly associated with the learner and educator. It also matches digital education standards and there are so many add-ons that can be directly plugged in and ready to use. It supports both synchronous (with an add-on) and asynchronous learning ( with Built-In capability).
Even After this, I tell you, why Customer must have a second thought ?
let ‘s understand it by an example,
A family needs a 4 seater for his needs, Another might need a hatchback car, another sedan, another Might need a 6-8 seater car, another wants a car to use as a taxi service , another wants to utilise it as a mini truck and so on. And let’s say there is one organisation which has built a car with an unmatched capability of engine. Although the engine is perfect for everyone, utilisation of the car and the design of the car is different for each one.
Will this be a good idea to use four seat car as an ambulance or four seat car as a mini truck?
Although that can work, can that work efficiently ?
Ofcourse Not
Moodle is just like a car with unmatched capability of engine, but it does not address for each type of customer directly.
Although it has the same engine, apart from engine there are whole lots of requirements that needs be addressed to make a successful efficient solution. If the customer trade-off that part, the ultimate goal of the requirement, why did customer need a car, can not be fulfilled.
Do you want to say that Moodle is not sufficient in itself?
No, I just want to say, Moodle is not sufficient For each type of requirement. Moodle is good in an environment where the primary requirement is learner and activity, but, if you have other requirements with moodle, you must go for a custom tailored solution that can address your needs. That can sort you educational requirements.
“One shoe can not fit to all, even one shoe can not fit to one person at all stage of his/her life”.You can walk on shoes that don’t fit to you, but you can not run with them. And this is the point where you must have a second thought.
Can we elaborate more about how the educational requirement differs ?
Ok, So let’s start what different kinds of flavours are generally required in the market ?
In Education, there are different segments and each segments has different ways to teach at each stage of life. Our learning pattern and requirement changes at each stage of life.
In childhood, An interactive, well-monitored, synchronous learning is required where parents also play a vital role. This can be applied to a need of kindergarten schools, or lower-secondary schools. In this type of learning, basically all students have a predefined set of learning paths applied to class. Even the way of learning can be different from student to student or to extra ability students.
When we are younger, we go to college, we opt for specialisation, the study is more focused on subjects. Synchronous learning does not become a requirement , the more focus is the output of learning. Asynchronous learning is more focused. Blended Learning is the requirement.
Apart from that , we may need Extra classes or Tut-ions , where the way of learning is more specific, personalised, commercialised and centred around tutor and learner.
Even that becomes very specific if institutions provide a specialised learning to a specific set of users in a specific way. Like, learning through assessment or maybe one opt for outcome based learning.
As we educate ourselves during each stage of life. After completing academic education, we do skill-set based learning in corporate where the way of learning is totally different.
And there are whole lot of different use-case that differs industry to industry or utilisation to utilisation.
As there are different models of education in physical world , so there are different needs in virtual world as well. Although common among different models are learner, educator, and learning, Different stake holders in different domains also play a vital role in learning. This is why Moodle is good but does not fit to all. And if You miss the objective to implement an LMS, the whole lot of effort needs to re-addressed.