Why Spark is different to other LMS Themes

Discover why our Spark LMS Theme is different from other Moodle and Totara themes.

Spark is the theme we created to compile our best and most sought after work for our customer’s sites. We have to call it an LMS theme because that’s fundamentally what it is. And yet it sort of isn’t.

Spark is an LMS theme in the same way that a Formula 1 car is a useful means of nipping to the shop to buy a pint of milk. Yes, it does perform that basic function but it also delivers so much more in terms of performance and functionality.

Let’s explore some of the ways in which Spark is different from most LMS themes.

Flexible, affordable design

When you think of an LMS theme, you’re typically thinking about the look and feel of your LMS. It’s about design and layout for typical learners. This will usually involve finding a theme that’s closest to what you want and perhaps making some minor adjustments to it. Alternatively, you might have to fork out for a bespoke LMS theme that does exactly what you need.

Spark is different. It offers the middle ground of a versatile and customisable layout that can be objectively used to deliver the design you want without the need for custom coding. You get the highest standards of UX design without the expense of a custom theme. You also avoid having to shoehorn your content into a fixed theme design.

Our goal was not to be the answer but to give you answers to be utilised where needed.

More than design

While most LMS themes deliver only on design and layout, that’s only the starting point of Spark’s capabilities. We compare it to a pavlova: those fundamentals of an LMS theme are like the meringue, but Spark also comes with the option of an array of fruit and toppings to really give it the flavour you want.

Things like activity bookmarks so your learners can save key activities, a course catalogue so you can show your course offering at a glance, banners and marketing spots so we promote key content without editing HTML, team charts to bridge gaps in your reporting, and more intuitive dashboards. We help you to decide which features work best for your goals.

Incredibly configurable

Most LMS themes claim to be configurable or customisable. All too often that means you can upload your logo and change a few colours. Spark is different. We built it from the ground up to give control over the things we know our customers want to change or personalise. 

We couldn’t even begin to start listing things here — we’d either sell Spark short or run out of space! Suffice to say, if you need to configure it then Spark will be able to do it.

Easy upgrades

If you’ve got a bespoke LMS theme, every LMS upgrade becomes a bit of a dilemma. Will all the code still work? Has anything broken? How much is it going to cost? 

Spark is here to stay and we are taking steps to ensure its longevity. Our research ensures we’re developing new add-ons that offer the most value. We’re adapting to get ready for new versions and emerging technologies. Most importantly, we’re ensuring our automated and manual testing runs like clockwork for every supported release.

Intuitive content creation

With most LMS themes, creating courses and pages usually requires a degree in computer science or features a bland, overly simplistic interface that results in a bland, overly simplistic LMS. 

Spark features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor that makes it really straightforward to create beautiful, UX-focused page layouts and craft the learning experiences you want to deliver.

Discover more about Spark

Learn more about what makes Spark different from other LMS themes by arranging a demo. Just fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.

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