Content Management Systems (CMS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS)  are different types of systems that have different purposes. A district may need both types of systems.

A Content Management System (CMS) is used to create a framework for the content of a web site. It makes it easy for a large number of people to contribute content to a website without needing expensive software.

Moodle is a Learning Management System (LMS). A learning management system is Internet based software that manages student enrollment, tracks student performance and records student data, and allows delivery of e-learning education courses. It is most often used to deliver online or blended/hybrid instruction.

 

 

	Content Management System	Moodle
Primary focus	To create a system to easily upload information to the web. The primary use is to distribute information or push information.	To create a social constructivist learning platform for e-learning.
Management of online courses	No	Yes
Performance Reporting of activities, assignments, and assessments	No	Yes
Supports Learner Collaboration	No	YesIncludes blogs, wikis, interactive chats, peer review systems, discussion boards
Calendar	Yes	Yes
Measures student meeting of pre-defined outcomes	No	Yes
Organizing content	Yes	Yes
Creation of quiz questions and test administration	No	Yes
Dynamic pre-testing and adaptive learning environments	No	Yes
Can serve up content based on learner needs and abilities	No	Yes
Automate record keeping	No	Yes
Stores learner profile	No	Yes

 

A short video explaining Moodle is available at http://www.eclass4learning.com/why-moodle/