Active-Class VS Moodle
Moodle
Although Moodle is a wide-spread, popular choice for an LMS platform, it does indeed still have its drawbacks. A recurring theme emerging from the user experience of the Moodle is its extreme complexity and lack of intuitive useability. For installation, customisation, and maintenance there is a reliance on external parties – each of which can be very expensive.
Moodle is offered as a free open-source platform. However, this requires one or more full time technicians in order to maintain the system. This can be costly and time-consuming. Meanwhile, the offer a paid service but this becomes very expensive very quickly. As such, many institutions are, understandably, left looking for alternatives.
Proctoring
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Active-Class
Active-Class has utilised new-age technology to design a state-of-the art exam monitoring (invigilation and proctoring) system which can be considered less intrusive, harsh and stressful for students to use. You can read more about it here. Furthermore, this system is built into the LMS meaning its integration into your assessments is set to be seamless.
Moodle
While Moodle does offer some assessment capabilities, it does not offer any built-in exam monitoring services. This subsequently means that assessments taken via Moodle could have their credibility questioned, as no cheating prevention measures can be taken. To back this claim, studies found that 33% of students admitted to cheating on Moodle assessments, while only 2% were caught. (https://myelearningworld.com/can-moodle-detect-cheating/)
User Interface and Navigation
Active-Class
Active-Class has a simple, user-friendly interface with a single menu featuring three icons for Classes, Modules and Activities. Active-Class is designed to offer simplicity and accessibility, with an essentially functional, interactive, and intuitive user interface. A well-designed dashboard and timetable provide students with a quick, simple and intuitive way of seeing their upcoming activities.
Built to be tailor made for teachers and students alike, Active-Class is an LMS attuned to your needs.
Moodle
Moodle’s user interface is bulky, heavy, and uninspiring. Based on older technologies, this comes as no surprise. Furthermore, despite some built in customisability, the software often requires technical experts in order to achieve these changes.
The advantages gained by Moodle’s extensive system are countered by its over complexity, unintuitive and difficult to use experience
Support
Active-Class
Any learning curve for Active-Class is very easy to deal with for users as it utilises a design that is easy on the eye and intuitive. This process is helped by the presence of a free, detailed, thorough help section, videos, tutorials and an online chat support.
Moodle
Furthermore, the learning curve required to be able to use Moodle is very steep and can often require higher levels of learning and instruction just to use the system. So much so that Moodle has expert consultants you can hire to explain and run the system – driving up the price.
Many complain that the measures in place to aid with the use of Moodle do not help and instead turn to third parties.
Range of Features
Active-Class
Active-Class focuses on assignment and assessment creation and administration – with an activity creator and rich text editor. The process is intuitive and easy for all. It also offers an abundance of resources and videos, along with comprehensive FAQs for more information.
Active-Class has designed a set of roles that is all-encompassing. The parent/guardian role enables parents or guardians to have full viewing access to the respective student’s account, if the institution or teacher wishes to grant them access.
Moodle
Creating an assessment in Moodle is a slow and ‘bulky’ process. Each section is long-winded and can make designing a whole assessment a very long process. Designing a normal quiz can take twice as long on Moodle as compared to Active-Class.
Moodle does not have a system that enables a ‘parent portal’. This means that it is much harder to have more transparent communication to parents through the LMS.