Re: Joomla
Lansing,
Joomla isn't a Course Management system... but a Content Management System... which can certainly be adapted to the former.
That being said, the traditional choice for an Open source Learning Management System is Moodle... which has a lot of functionality of a specialized LMS.
The LMS I've used in the past include WebCT/Blackboard - primarily due to the relatively pain free use not involving site setup and other administrative overhead associated with the open source LMS.
I've also use Ning and PBWiki as an adapted LMS and been pretty happy with them.
Sorry - can't be of more help, but there was a discussion on Joomla in the Computer/Tech forum... try searching for it and may be post your query there.