Analysis and Comparative of Virtual Learning Environments DIANA BRI 1 , HUGO COLL 2 , MIGUEL GARCÍA 3 , JAIME LLORET 4 Communications Department Polytechnic University of Valencia Camino Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia SPAIN Abstract: - In this paper we are going analyze existing platforms to create online learning communities and so, promoting online learning. These tools are basic for new models of education because the fundamental idea is to reduce the number of hours face-to-face in the classroom and to promote remote individual work. This is the basic idea of the new European models given by the Bologna process. Then, from a previous study, we are going to expound the most popular platforms and we are going to give the details of their features and main differences between them. In the last part of the paper, we will show the study we have done about this type of educational social software. This study involves a questionnaire to some lecturers of our university, Polytechnic University of Valencia. Our analysis presents most important results. Key-Words: - LMS, e-learning, educational platforms, LCMS, CMS, open source software 1 Introduction The word e-learning (electronic learning) defines a type of learning based on information and communication technologies. This way to learn makes easier to create, adopt and contents distribution. Independently of time-limit or geographical limits, this way allows students exchange opinions and information by TIC (information and communication technologies). There are many tools to compose this new educational strategy; however some of them are remarkable: utilities to present contents (texts, animations, graphics, videos…), tools for asynchronous or synchronous communication between students and teachers like for example, e- mail, chat, forums, blogs, wikis… In short, e-learning can be traduced by “virtual learning” and it is the future of remote education based on telematic networks connected usually to Internet. An e-learning solution is built by three basic components: platform, contents and communication tools. Platform is hardware and software environment designed to automate and manage development academic formation activities. It is known like online platform or LMS (learning management system). A LMS is a software program installed in a server and it is used to administer, distribute and check activities for face-to-face formation o e-learning in an organization. The main functions of a LMS are: manage and register users, resources and formation activities, access check, control and monitoring learning process, doing evaluations, informs, managing communication services like forums and teleconference amongst others. Generally, a LMS doesn’t include possibilities to create its own contents, but it is in charge of administrating contents created by different sources. A LCMS (Learning Content Management Systems) is used to create contents for courses [1]. Most of LMSs work with Internet technology (web pages). Nowadays, there are a lot of commercials and open source code platforms. In the academic field we can find: Sakai and Moodle (open source) and Blackboard merged with WebCT (commercial), .LRN and much more. Regarding contents, the quality is a necessary condition although; it isn’t sufficient condition for a successful formation programs. The design of contents should be done by experts on didactic methodology and, taking into account this idea, contents ought to be designed using the following characteristics: - Adjustment to necessities and possibilities of pupils - Quality and quantity of presented information - Interactive - Appropriate structure for its good and easy assimilation In this point, we have a platform and content but; can we run an online course only with these 5th WSEAS / IASME International Conference on ENGINEERING EDUCATION (EE'08), Heraklion, Greece, July 22-24, 2008 ISBN: 978-960-6766-86-2 312 ISSN: 1790-2769