Learning Management SystemsDr. Glenda Rose

What is an LMS?

An LMS is “a framework that handles all aspects of the learning process.”

-deliver and manage instructional content

-identifies and asses individual and organizational learning goals

-tracks the progress towards meeting goals

-collects and presents data for supervising the learning process

Watson, W. R., & Watson, S. L. (2007, March/April). What are Learning Managemetn Systems, What are They Not, and What Should They Become? TechTrends, 51(2), 28-34.

What Can You Do on an LMS?

• Keep a course calendar• Maintain an attendance roster• Share content• Develop content• Encourage collaboration• Assess learning• Use reports to improve instruction

• Free• Popular• Constantly being upgraded• May need a “techie” to help you customize to

your educational needs• BUT… they have very good support• Some people find it “clunky”• May be hard for less tech-savvy students to

navigate

moodle.org

• Free (5 active sites)• Connected to Blackboard (transitions!)• Available in mobile devices• Excellent support• Does suffer from “lag” on occasion• May be a little difficult for people with low

tech skills to navigate

www.coursesites.com

• Free (Enterprise version available)• Has a “Facebook” feel• Available on phones and tablets• Relatively low lag times• Individually assign work (grading groups)• Graded discussions• Students can upload different media

www.schoology.com

Questions?Thank you!