Usability evaluation of open source learning management systems

Advancements in Information and Communications Technology has enabled learning to be conducted online frequently through Learning Management Systems (LMS). The use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) as tools for learning in the present Internet age is seen as an important solution to remedy major problems particularly faced by higher education instructors, students and universities. However, any quality and usability related information regarding such widely used learning management systems are rarely encountered in the literature. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the system quality of the top five widely used open source learning management systems through the external characteristics of ISO/IEC 9126 quality standards evaluation model for Moodle, ATutor, Eliademy, Forma LMS and Dokeos with two experts. ISO/IEC 9126 quality model is adequate for evaluating important system quality metrics. Results highlighted in detail a set of usability and quality issues that are associated to external characteristics for each open LMS which require further attention of developers, educators and researchers to improve the quality of learning. © Science and Information Organization.