Lumen Learning vs SkillsCommons
Lumen Learning
lumenlearning.comSkillsCommons
skillscommons.orgSide by side
| Figure | Lumen Learning | SkillsCommons |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Spec score · Open Educational Resource Platforms | 7.9 (#9) | 7.6 (#16) |
| Accessibility | Lumen aims to meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA criteria and describes screen-reader text, image alt text, video captions and transcripts, and text alternatives for interactives. | The web interface supports screen readers, keyboard access, captions, and the Able Player; DocReader supports Word and PDF documents on devices without plugins. |
| Support | The standard course support fee includes LMS integration, editing capabilities, online homework, personalized learning tools, and technical and faculty support. | The support center provides guides and FAQs and lists [email protected] for assistance; webinar scheduling is available by contacting support. |
Plans
Lumen Learning
- Per Student Course Support Fee$35, paid once
- Success Accelerator for Waymaker and OHM$350, paid once
- Lumen Circles Fellowship$750, paid once
- Annualized PricingPrice not published
SkillsCommons
- SkillsCommons repository — browsing and downloadsFree
- SkillsCommons repository — hosting contributionsPriced on request
In their own words
Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning develops digital courseware and faculty professional development resources for higher education. Its course materials replace textbooks with interactive text, video, simulations, practice questions, updated content, and mobile-friendly access. The catalog covers more than 50 subjects, with a focus on introductory, general education, and developmental courses. Lumen One offers personalized study plans, immediate feedback, student-faculty connection tools, a peer community, and teaching-practice tips. Courseware can be customized after delivery into Canvas, Blackboard Learn, D2L Brightspace, or Moodle and adjusted for different term lengths. Mobile access works through common browsers on iOS and Android without an app. Static courseware text and images are open educational resources. The course support fee is $35/term. Additional options include professional development priced per seat.
SkillsCommons
SkillsCommons is a free repository of learning and program-support materials for job-driven workforce development. It aims to help individuals and organizations prepare people for employment, but it is not an LMS: it does not enroll students or provide course credit. Visitors can search and download materials without an account; institutions and organizations need an account to upload, individually or in bulk using a CSV of metadata. Contributors can embargo attached files until a specified date, after which requesters may ask the submitter for access. Courses exported from an LMS can be uploaded, with LMS-specific and IMS Common Cartridge formats recommended when available. Programmatic discovery options include keyword search, item METS data and OAI metadata harvesting. The interface supports screen readers, keyboard access, captions and Able Player; DocReader supports Word and PDF documents on devices without plugins. SkillsCommons says it works toward Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 accessibility and aligns its commitment with WCAG 2.0 AA. The support center offers guides and FAQs, and large uploads may require support planning for connection speed and bandwidth.