Importance of a content management tool inside a Learning Management System (LMS)

Over the past 25 years, Learning Management Systems have evolved tremendously. Use of eLearning systems in education is becoming more eminent every day. These tools may base on content management (CMS), learning management (LMS) or even a composition of the above (LCMS). However, none of these systems offer the possibility to users to assembly different contents under a single representation. Spiral Connect, the LMS created by University Lyon 1, fills this need providing a content management tool (CMS), called “Website”, inside its learning management context. This paper examines the importance of having a CMS inside a LMS, using the example of Spiral Connect. Data from all Websites created on Spiral Connect platform has been gathered and analyzed in order to show the role and the impact of such a tool in an eLearning system. These data were also used to analyze user preferences.