Compare OpenLearning to other learning management systems (LMS)
In a world where education and training are evolving at an unprecedented pace, choosing the right Learning Management System (LMS) is crucial. While there are several LMS options on the market, OpenLearning stands head and shoulders above the rest.

In the crowded LMS market, OpenLearning shines as the beacon of educational excellence.
Our commitment to customisation, social learning, analytics, community, inclusivity, and innovation sets us apart.
AI-powered platform
OpenLearning
Other LMS
Generative AI-powered course design
The "suggest content" feature of OpenLearning's AI Assistant aids in creating a diverse array of customisable content types. When combined with the "learning activity creator," OpenLearning's AI Assistant significantly minimises the time and effort needed to craft high-quality courses, programs, and micro-credentials.
Some LMS platforms may not have advanced AI features, even when they have, it focuses more on learners not the educators.
Thumbnail generator
OpenLearning's seamless integration of AI-powered course thumbnail creation and updates directly within the platform offers educators a user-friendly and efficient solution.
Other LMS may lack a similar level of integration, potentially resulting in a more streamlined and visually consistent course thumbnail.
Reusable components that can occur on multiple pages
Name
Significance to user journey
Status
Common accessibility issues caused by user generated content
Future Actions
Course page frame
This is the UI frame around all in course related content.It contains navigation, information about the course, user info and status, etc.
Course pages are made up of many widgets which allow for the curation of media rich content and interactive activities.
Course pages are made up of many widgets which allow for the curation of media rich content and interactive activities.
Pass with exceptions
WCAG 2.1 AA
WCAG 2.1 AA
- 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (AA)
- Kudos, Progress bar, Progress page progress pie charts in the contents table use hover text that may block parts of the menu.
- Kudos, Progress bar, Progress page progress pie charts in the contents table use hover text that may block parts of the menu.
WCAG 2.2 AA
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) some inline text links have a touch target of less than 24px. (Likes, replies, etc.)
Common issues
- Setting theme colours that are too low contrast with white text.
We intend to fix the issues with hover content and target size in 2023
Module Navigation Pop Out
Learners use this to navigate between course pages grouped into learning modules.
Pass
-
-
Comments
Learners interact with their peers and teachers through the comments feature.
Pass with exceptions
WCAG 2.1 AA
WCAG 2.1 AA
- 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (AA)
- Kudos, Progress bar, Progress page progress pie charts in the contents table use hover text that may block parts of the menu.
- Kudos, Progress bar, Progress page progress pie charts in the contents table use hover text that may block parts of the menu.
WCAG 2.2 AA
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) some inline text links have a touch target of less than 24px. (Likes, replies, etc.)
Learner generated content
It is often worthwhile to produce a brief primer/reminder for your learners to help them post content in a way that is as accessible as possible. e.g. Adding alt text to images that they post.
It is often worthwhile to produce a brief primer/reminder for your learners to help them post content in a way that is as accessible as possible. e.g. Adding alt text to images that they post.
We aim to fix the issues with comments in 2023
Global top bar
This is the main way learners get around the platform.This global top bar contains many sub menus such as
Notifications Dropdown
Notifications Dropdown
- Learners use this to find out when classmates or teachers have interacted with content they care about.
Courses Dropdown
- Learners use this to access and switch between the courses they are enrolled in.
Profile Dropdown
- Learners use this to view and manage personal settings as well as access their profile and portfolio.
Pass
Out of scope areas
Out of scope areas
- Some links from the Courses dropdown lead to areas of the platform currently deemed out of scope. These include:
- Manage my enrolments
- Learn something new (course marketplace)
- The logo on the top bar is accessible but the linked page OL.com is not in scope. This page is not essential to the course experience.
-
-
Change Profile Picture Modal
Profile dropdown -
As a student, I want to modify my profile picture.
As a student, I want to modify my profile picture.
Pass
-
-
Log in / Logout
As a student, I want to log into / log out of the platform.
Pass
-
-
Widgets
Widgets are essential reusable building blocks of course on OpenLearning. Here is the list of core widgets that are accessible.
Name
Significance to user journey
Status
Common accessibility issues caused by user generated content
Future Actions
Text
This is the most commonly used widget for formatting course content.
Pass with exceptions
- Spoilers formatting - use with caution
- Can be confusing for screen reader users depending on how it’s structured within course content.
- Uses images without alt tag for the spoiler formatting.
Course provider generated content
- Images without alt-tags
- Using images in place of standard UI elements such as bullet points, buttons, headers, separators, etc. These are hacks that are possible but not recommended.
- Setting text colours that too low contrast.
Intend to fix poor spoiler formatting - intend to fix in 2023
File
This widget allows learners to browse, preview, and download files uploaded by their course provider.
Course pages are made up of many widgets which allow for the curation of media rich content and interactive activities.
Course pages are made up of many widgets which allow for the curation of media rich content and interactive activities.
Pass
-
-
Accessible video
This widget allows learners to watch video content on the platform.
The video player can be controlled via keyboard alone, or mouse alone, and has high contrast, scalable controls. There is ability to add captions and chapters.
The video player can be controlled via keyboard alone, or mouse alone, and has high contrast, scalable controls. There is ability to add captions and chapters.
Pass
Course provider generated content
- Using the wrong video widget.
- For backward compatibility reasons, we have not yet removed our old non-accessible video widget. Please make sure to use the correct widget. We hope to deprecate the old widget in the future.
- There is ability to add captions and chapters but the course provider must provide these. There is no automatic captioning available at this time.
-
Audio
This audio widget allows learners to listen to audio content on the platform. The audio player can be controlled via keyboard alone, or mouse alone, and has high contrast, scalable controls. There is ability to add captions and chapters.
Pass
There is ability to add captions and chapters but the course provider must provide these.
-
Resource links
Learners have access to a list of resource links provided by the course provider.
Pass
Course provider generated content
For an seamless accessible experience, the resource links provided by the course providers must also contain accessible content.
For an seamless accessible experience, the resource links provided by the course providers must also contain accessible content.
-
White Space
Allows spacing to be added to the course to help break up content in a visual way.
Pass
-
-
Post widgets
- Post text
- Post file
- Post image
Post widgets allow users to create and share content with their class and/or instructors.
These are a core building block for creating transformative learning activities on OpenLearning.
These are a core building block for creating transformative learning activities on OpenLearning.
Pass
Learner generated content
It is often worthwhile to produce a brief primer/reminder for your learners to help them post content in a way that is as accessible as possible. e.g. Adding alt text to images that they post.
It is often worthwhile to produce a brief primer/reminder for your learners to help them post content in a way that is as accessible as possible. e.g. Adding alt text to images that they post.
-
Show case widgets
- Gallery
- Feed
Allows users view content that was shared with the class or instructors.
As a student, I want to see relevant content my classmates have contributed and share information with my classmates.
These are a core building block for creating transformative learning activities on OpenLearning.
As a student, I want to see relevant content my classmates have contributed and share information with my classmates.
These are a core building block for creating transformative learning activities on OpenLearning.
Pass
-
-
Multiple Choice
A basic building block of quizzes
Pass
-
-
Short Answer
A basic building block of quizzes
Pass
-
-
Fill in the blanks
A basic building block of quizzes
Pass
-
-

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