PEOPLE.IDEAS.PERFORMANCE

50 instructional environment in which classroom time is working hand in hand with Web based student-faculty interaction or student-to-student workload distribution and networking activities is now the norm in many higher education institutions and integral part of their overall course models. Internet-based online instructional delivery is now the fastest growing type or sector of higher education in many countries. Online delivery of education is also expanding rapidly to meet the career-specific education and training needs of adult populations. „ E-Learning is an ideal learning environment through the use of modern means of information technology, through effective integration of information technology, and the syllabus to obtain a new learning method, that can fully reflect the primary role of the students to thoroughly reform the traditional teaching structures and essence of education to train large numbers of high quality personnel. ” (Ma et all) It is a fact that modern students worldwide are using numerous types of contents from the available E-Learning (Electronic Learning) & M-Learning (Mobile Learning) tools or the resources offered by their respective higher institutions in providing all types of contents they seek for either regular or distance learning solutions. It is also a proven fact that students are increasingly making use of their smart phones to access their educational content, perform tasks, complete projects and/or tests and exams. „ Use of Internet technologies as major resources to deliver wide range of solutions which can ascertain the enhancement of knowledge and performance advocate the e-Learning concept. ” (Rosenberg, 2001) Current Learning Solutions are designed to support the educational needs of students, faculty, and institutions alike. Cost-effective combinations of E-Learning & M-Learning products and services are strategically combined to provide users with the technology and support best suited to all institutional education needs. Ultimately, by delivering robust, online learning environments with flexible delivery options, higher academic institutions will deliver the accessibility that students and faculty are looking for, while improving engagement and retention. When adapting to a new technology environment any organization must look at adopting a solution that addresses multiple aspects, such as ease of use, meeting the user expectations no matter their comfort level with modern technologies, making sure that the solutions support the whole-time length of user experience, promoting engagement through offering personalization, streamlined experience, etc. Current Learning Management Solutions or LMSs employ solutions and options that are both free and/or open source as well as subscription based. As the name suggests, Learning Management Systems are system-wide academic and usability management systems. They differ from what is known as an LCMSs (Learning Content Management Systems) in that their primary function is to manage rather than create course content. When choosing an LMS any institution will face the ultimate investment question: What is best for us, an open-source solution which requires continuous, further development, or a costly product (either subscription based or one-time type of investment) which is coming ready to deploy out of the box? This question reveals two general financial related factors: initial investment and future cost of ownership.