WordPress and the LMS universe

21. January 2016

LMS / Development

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In the past 2 years, the e-Learning market has been exploding. Online Learning Management Systems (LMS) have become very popular, to build e-learning platforms.

They not only offer text based content, quizzes, assignment management, course evaluation, social features, but also allow the integration of video, audio and other linked content. Many support SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model), allowing the exchange of learning content and results.

THE LMS UNIVERSE

Over the past few years, I have been helping clients to build or transform their e-learning platforms. Sometimes its better to build a customized LMS solution from scratch :), than tweak or customize an offered solution. It all depends on the features you want to see integrated and on the budget available ;)

In this article I want to share current solutions offered for WordPress.

I will divide them into themes and plugins for now. In the future I plan do some feature comparison as well :

Theme based or Standalone Plugin (standalone might be preferred)
Course functionality (course, units, quizzes sections …)
Course linking / Course Groups / Exclusive courses
Course categories
Course Evaluation
Course curriculum
Course timeline
Course reviews & ratings
Course Stats
Free courses
Variable pricing
Course notes / Comments
Course Admin area
Course Frontend creation
Assignment functionality
Certificates
Messaging
Custom Email Templates
Course Events
BuddyPress Integration
BBPress Integration
WooCommerce integration
Import & Export functionality
Login
Student profiles
Instructor frontend interface

PLUGINS

These are standalone plugins, that provide LMS functionality and integrate into your WordPress themes. Ease of integration and options differ.

THEMES

These themes mostly dependent on one of the plugins above or offer only a simple subset of LMS functionality.

THEME & PLUGIN

Integrated solutions, that are supposed to offer a tight integration of WordPress, theme and its own plugins.

WPLMS (started the revolution at Envato)
One thing that sets WPLMS apart from many of the above is the frontend interface. So instructor tasks happen on the frontend not in the WP Admin. Also when it comes to assignments, WPLMS is currently the best solution. Even if the assignment management is not yet perfect, its better than what many of the other solutions offer.

Enjoy coding …

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Alexander

I am a full-stack developer. My expertise include:

Server, Network and Hosting Environments
Data Modeling / Import / Export
Business Logic
API Layer / Action layer / MVC
User Interfaces
User Experience
Understand what the customer and the business needs

I have a deep passion for programming, design, and server architecture—each of these fuels my creativity, and I wouldn’t feel complete without them.

With a broad range of interests, I’m always exploring new technologies and expanding my knowledge wherever needed. The tech world evolves rapidly, and I love staying ahead by embracing the latest innovations.

Beyond technology, I value peace and surround myself with like-minded individuals.

I firmly believe in the principle: Help others, and help will find its way back to you when you need it.