LearningManagement System(LMS)

LMS is a learning management system. It is a tool for e-learning. It is provideseffective learning environment through user friendly modules.

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By Wasim Akram 10Mohammad Tayyab 07

Sajid Saeed 67Arsalan Hussain 66

Zamrak (Repeater)

[Pick the date]

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IntroductionLearning management system (LMS) is software that provides a virtual learning

environment. It enables management and delivery of learning content, training and

resource to the students or its members. LMS are web based to facilitate anytime,

anywhere access to the learning content and administration. LMS are built on friendly

platforms for easy-to-use, easy-to-manage.

LMS includes interactive online courses, assessment tests, system administration, batch

assignment and detailed reporting. LMS usually allows:

self-services (e.g. student self registration, self enrolment )

notification services (e.g. event notification, quiz notifications )

automate administration (e.g. monitor student participation, student accounts)

System management (courses, content, students, instructors)

Upload and deliver learning content.

Virtual live classes.

Collaborative learning (e.g. application sharing, group discussions)

Training resources management (e.g. instructors, facilities, equipments)

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ModulesIn general standardized or independent unit is called module. When users launch LMS they

encounter a series of tabbed pages called modules. These tabbed pages/modules contain

different units of LMS. Different LMS have different numbers of modules. But they all can

be generalized as follows:

1. Home module

This is the home page of a LMS. Students, instructors and administrators use

this module to view lists of courses, notifications, progress reports and

schedules. It includes a welcome area, sign up or Registration area and help

option. It also includes:

Prerequisites for registration

Samples or Demos of e-learning environment

Newsletter subscription

Chat rooms

Features from instructors and administrators

Resource library

2. Student Catalog Module:

Here courses are listed. Students browse through courses and using self-

service function of LMS, enroll in courses. In some LMS (e.g. Athena) it is not

a separate module but a part of home module.

3. Course Management and Certification

Administrators use this to manage courses. Instructors use this module to

know what courses are assigned to whom and to see their class lists. It also

manages certifications of students. Certification is an essential part and

learning institution. Certification requires a thorough analysis of program,

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student performance and some other factors. Different LMS uses different

criteria and protocols for certification.

4. Administrator Module:

In this module administrators can view information, manage programs.

Administer can also customize the roles and privileges of users so that users

can be restricted in there own circle. This limits what a user can see and do in

the system. Administrators can control data regarding student’s records, and

can also perform different transactions to the database e.g. add, edit, delete,

and update student records. Report services are managed here.

5. Resource Module:

This module helps course developers in developing effective courses and

course outlines and equipments needed for courses that are listed in student

catalog module.

6. Setting Modules:

This module is used by server and system administrators to manage and

organize system services and for setting server configuration.

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LMS MODELThe LMS model in fig [1] shows how data flows between different components of LMS. This

helps us in designing a LMS.

[1]Figure [1] LMS Model

[1]Created using paint software.

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E-R DiagramE-R Diagram shows the type of relationship between the entities. It is an essential step

towards developing a database management system. Since LMS is like a DBMS that is purely

dedicated to learning purpose, so here is E-R Diagram for a LMS.

[1]Figure [2] E-R Diagram for LMS

[1]Created using paint software.

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Abstract Data ModelThe Abstract data model shows the data structure and their organization in general. It does

not specify certain data but it models the data types, their relationships, and their

organization in a sys tem. The following figure shows an abstract data model of an LMS

using objects. If the LMS is to be designed using RDBMS then these objects can easily be

converted into tables, the attributes will be used as columns. Primary and foreign keys are

also defined which can be used to relate tables.

[1]Figure [3] ABSTRACT DATA MODEL OF A LMS

[1][Edited]. Original by Barry Williams, attached at appendices.

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Mock upsThe mock ups show us the external view of LMS that how it will appear to the users. Below

we have shown our mockups for each module discussed above. These are drawn using paint

software.

Figure [4] Mock up for home module

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Figure [5] Mock up for Course catalogue module

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Figure [6] Mock up for course management module

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Figure [7] Mock up for Administration module

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Figure [8] Mock up for Resources module

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Figure [9] Mock up for Settings Module

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ConclusionLMS is getting a place in market. The users want quality, flexibility and relaxation, so does

the LMS provide. It provides digital content management and integration. Easy Curriculum

mapping is one its key point over the traditional way of learning. Now days a number

companies are providing LMS systems to consumers. Open source LMS are also introduced.

But according to Epic white paper “Open Source Learning Management Systems” [2] “the big

ERP players have failed to achieve their forecast success and customers have low

satisfactions. So I searched LMSs from different companies and finally created my own view

of an LMS which I have discussed above. I have merged different qualities from different

LMSs so as to make a much better and effective system. It is easy to use, user friendly,

includes must-have features for each user and most importantly it includes all the features

that a user wish to e.g. a time table as “My Course” , chatting with friends, “create

assignment” in home module for student.

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Appendix a:Open source learning / selecting an open source LMS

LMS Version Link

ATutor 1.5.5 http://www.ATutor.ca/

Claroline 1.8.6 http://www.claroline.net/

Docebo 3.0.6 http://www.docebo.org/

Dokeos 1.8.4 http://www.dokeos.com/

dotLRN 2.3.1 http://dotlrn.openacs.org/

Ilias 3.8.3 http://www.ilias.de/

Interact 2.3.1 http://www.interactole.org/

KEWL.NextGen 1.3.1 http://kngforge.uwc.ac.za/

Metacoon 1.9.5 http://www.metacoon.de/

Moodle 1.8.2 http://moodle.org/

OLAT 5.2.2 http://www.olat.org/

Open Elms 5.0 http://www.openelms.org/

Sakai 2.4.1 http://www.sakaiproject.org/

List of LMS providers with their URL links.

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Appendix B:

Figure[10] [Original image] e-learning model by Barry Williams ,

databaseanswers.org, 8th Jan 2009.

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ReferencesI. URL

http://community.flexiblelearning.net.au/TeachingTrainingLearners/content/

article_4840.htm

II. URL http://www.icmgworld.com/corp/ces/ces.lms.asp

III. IBM Lotus LMS [WWW Page], URL

http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/lotus/library/ls-

LMS_Admin_Tour/index.html#icomments

IV. URL http://hajelasoftware.com/hspl.htm

V. URL http://stepinside.slamstudio.com/?p=11

VI. Database answers, URL

http://www.databaseanswers.org/data_models/e_learning/index.htm

VII. Athena LMS, URL http://www.athenalms.com/modules.aspx

VIII. URL http://thecorkboard.org/a-wordpress-as-lms-mockup/

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