Analysis of usability and value of GDUS+ and LAMS for pedagogical design in a university blended learning environment

Abstract

IMS Learning Design is a pedagogically neutral specification that allows the creation of environments and educational contents and that promotes the reusability. Furthermore, this specification allows a large range of didactic approaches. IMS Learning is particularly suitable for distance learning through electronic platforms. In addition, there is great interest in using these types of standards in face-to-face and blended learning at universities. However, there are some difficulties that must be overcome when considering these solutions in universities, for example, those related to the computing skills of potential uses, those associated to the usability of editing tools for Learning Units creation, or those linked to human resource costs… This article deals with these issues by analysing the usefulness and usability of two tools based on Learning Design, GDUS + and LAMS, to create virtual Learning Units according to specific pedagogical design approaches.