Abstract:

Digitalization is fundamentally transforming higher education and increasing the need for effective e-learning systems. This paper presents an analysis of the most widely used Learning Management Systems (LMS) at the 200 top-ranked universities worldwide according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), offering insights from both primary and secondary research. The aim is to identify current trends in LMS adoption, compare their prevalence across regions, and highlight differences between universities based on available data on student numbers, study programs, and LMS platform characteristics.

The paper summarizes the theoretical background of e-learning, its development, forms of education, and the advantages and limitations associated with digital learning. It also provides an overview of global university rankings, with a primary focus on ARWU as the key reference framework. The secondary research compares the most commonly used LMS platforms Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, and Brightspace considering their functional capabilities, technical features, and distribution across world regions.

The primary research was conducted through an in-depth analysis of publicly available data on university websites, as the return rate of the distributed questionnaire was insufficient. For 167 universities (83.5% of the sample), the study successfully identified the LMS platform used, the number of students, and in most cases the number of study programs offered. The findings reveal significant regional differences in LMS preferences. Canvas is the most dominant system, used by 37.72% of universities, particularly those ranked at the top. Moodle is the second most used system and prevails mainly in Europe and Asia. Blackboard and Brightspace are less common but relevant in specific regions.

Continental-level analysis shows clear distinctions: Canvas dominates in the Americas, while Moodle prevails in Europe and Asia. Australia displays a more balanced distribution between Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard. Additional data on the number of students and study programs provides a broader view of LMS implementation. The findings indicate that LMS preferences are shaped not only by platform functionality but also by geopolitical and institutional factors.

The article offers a comprehensive overview of LMS usage at the world’s top universities and provides valuable insights for further pedagogical, technological, and strategic decision-making in the field of education digitalization.

Keywords:

e-learning, ARWU, Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, university rankings, TOP universities.