#1: Currently the most important standards for distance learning components are:
-- Shareable Content Object Reference Model = SCORM = http://www.adlnet.org/scorm
-- IMS = http://www.imsglobal.org/

#2: The most popular CMS applications are given thorough technical reviews on the EDU Tools Product Information page. The reader is referred to this comprehensive resource to obtain information about the degree to which the CMS platforms featured in Tables A and B of this report comply with the various IMS standards.

#3: In Oct 2005, Blackboard announced its decision to purchase WebCT in Jan 2006. On November 29, the Anti-trust Division of the U.S. Dept. of Justice decided to review this proposed purchase -- which will probably cause a few months delay (if the purchase is approved).

#4. The number of "licenses" listed for each vendor in Table A includes all clients -- K-12, corporate, continuing education, government, etc -- not just colleges and universities.

#5. The U.S. Dept. of Education maintains a comprehensive, searchable database of all accredited U.S. colleges and universities, including for-profit institutions = http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/