# Why Chamilo?

Chamilo is an e-learning and collaboration platform which comes bundled as open-source software (or as puristswill note, rather*Free Software*) which can be adapted to educational or professional projects. It is distributed under the [GNU/](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licence_publique_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale_GNU)[GPL](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licence_publique_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale_GNU)[v](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licence_publique_g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale_GNU)3+ license, which you are bound to accept when using it.

A teacher using Chamilo can access a series of useful tools allowing them to easily and efficiently create an effective learning environment. On creating/editing a course he (or she) can:

* import or create **documents** (audio, video, images) and publish them,
* build **tests** and **exams** with **automated scores and feedback** as required,
* build or import ([SCORM](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharable_Content_Object_Reference_Model) and [AICC](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_Industry_CBT_Committee)) compliant courses,
* set and receive **virtual assignments**,
* describe the components of the course through **description** sections,
* communicate through **forums** or **chat**,
* publish **announcements**,
* add **links**,
* create **work groups** or laboratory groups,
* set up a **virtual classroom** (through the videoconference extension),
* manage **scores** through the assessments tool,
* create **surveys**,
* add a **wiki** to create documents collaboratively,
* use a **glossary**,
* use an **agenda**,
* manage a **project** (through the **blog** tool),
* enable **tracking** of learners in your courses,
* register **attendances**,
* elaborate **a class diary (course progress)**.

The Chamilo platform is extremely **flexible**. All its tools can be customized according to the needs of each course. It provides a **friendly** and **intuitive** user interface which requires no special prior technical knowledge or skills.