An Analysis of Learning Platforms based on their Academic Assessment Instruments

Abstract

This paper describes the attributes (functions or characteristics) that learning platforms most frequently possess in terms of the way assessment instruments are managed or configured. Sixty-two platforms have been analyzed, and this analysis has allowed to identify 15 attributes associated with the management of assessment instruments. In order to fulfill the purpose of this study, the following steps were proposed: (1) web search of learning environments (either Learning Management Systems -LMS- or Learning Platforms -LP) used in the academic world; (2) filtering of the environments found, according to appropriate exclusion- inclusion criteria; (3) characterization of the dismissed LMS or LP according to their exclusion criteria; (4) identification and study of the attributes related to the management of assessment instruments or tests of each platform included in the study; (5) descriptive analysis of all the environments according to these attributes; and (6) statistical analysis of the data obtained. As a result, it has been obtained a list of 62 learning environments (LMS or LP) characterized in terms of 15 key attributes in the management of assessment instruments, of which only 40% were included in these environments, while 7 of them (almost half) are incorporated in less than 25% of the environments.