EDU632

Learning Management Systems

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EDU 632- Project #1: Learning Management systems

            The following paper will be used to inform and educate leaders within the higher educational field on the use of Learning Management Systems from here forward being referred to as LMS.  A LMS is identified as a software application used to deliver educational information.  Some with tests and others for information only.  There are three types of LMS areas to be discussed as well as some challenges and issues within the systems.  Within each area there will be comparisons and unique differences.  Educators can then a have a condensed view of how each system works and can apply what would work best for the educational needs of a college or university.

            There are three types of management systems, 1).  Corporate/academic Learning Management Systems (LMS), 2). Learning Content Management System (LCMS), and 3).  Content Management System (CMS). To begin the review of corporate/academic learning management systems which will be discussed individually. 

            Corporate management systems target businesses as their primary source and has five core features (Foreman, 2018).  User management features offers support for user accounts, authentication, job rolls and organizations and can target employee audiences (Foreman, 2018).  This has the ability of course management to be created by the business through a variety of catalogue selections.  Course instructions and tests are also available with certificates of completion.  This area of course interaction allows employees to use the site for educational purposes and be adjusted by the administrator to report to the company for completion.  This last feature allows custom reporting as well as charts and analysis to be sent to corporate leaders.  The second half of this LMS is Academic.  Like corporate the same features are in place but in academia the target is primarily educational institutions.  The main differences would be imbedded time restraints, syllabus, discussion boards and in some cases tests for completion.  There would also be student groups and collaborative workgroups.

            The second form is CMS or content management systems. Defined as a software application that can be used to manage the creation and modification of digital content (Kinsta, 2020). Examples of this area would be WordPress, Pinterest, or a personal learning environment (PLE). This system is not corporate or academic but personal and is created by an individual to share with the public.  NO tests or quizzes, just information that anyone can create.

 The third and final system is a LCMS or learning content management system.  This is a tool or software.  This area targets companies that develop their own learning management program (Foreman, 2018).  The features are like corporate/academic with accounts, profiles, administrative but is all product based on course development (Foreman, 2018). This is more like a library of information. This type combines both learning and content and it is up to the administrator as to what combination is to be used.

            The challenges to all three systems are many with the top being dull or boring and that the information is current.  Some systems are created but not updated on a regular basis which causes some misinformation.  According to Patterson (n.d.), the challenges mentioned fall within the top two with the last one being finding the perfect learning tool to use.

            In conclusion there are three types of management systems:  LMS, CMS, and LCMS and there are many things to consider prior to selection the best system for an organization.  Review the list of features, pros and cons of each and select what fits best.  Choose wisely since it takes time to create, develop, and implement within an organization and the LMS could be in place for years to come.

References:

Foreman, S. D., & Association for Talent, D. (2018). The LMS guidebook : Learning management systems demystified. Alexandria, VA: Association For Talent Development.

Kinsta (2020, Mar 19). What is a Content Management System (CMS)?. Retrieved from https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/content-management-system/

Patterson, T. (n.d.). The Top 10 E-Learning challenges L&D pros face every day [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.docebo.com/blog/top10-elearning-challenges/

EDU 632- Project #2: Blackboard Learning Management systems

Online students have some obstacles that full time campus students do not.  Many old full-time jobs, have kids, household responsibilities plus classwork.  The following Blackboard Learn Educator is a course shell in reference to How to organize your time as an online student.  This course has been created in the original Blackboard format with two units, and a quiz.  Please open link to review: https://blackboard.coursesites.com/ultra/courses/_759749_1/cl/outline

            The initial set up of the class using the original Blackboard reminded me of a mix of the set up of the Personal Learning Environment (PLE) and a Wiki Page, however, when it came to inserting the quiz and the YouTube videos it was a bit of a challenge to figure out the process.  With advice from a Professor I was able to insert what I needed and then it was simple after that.  The most difficult part was creating the course shell.  To overcome the problem of how to make the course flow it was treated like writing a book.  Slowly, each chapter was created with an overlap to the previous information.  Then the review of what happened within the course by way of a quiz at the end.  The resources used were found the same way as it would if doing a research paper but were inserted within the course under the corresponding unit.  Fortunately, again with a great support system of other students and professors there was a sounding board available.

            There needs to be more hands-on evaluation to determine how to make this program run smoothly, one week is not enough time to determine if anything new was learned.  Futuristically, there needs to be the perfection of the program use and how to learn short cuts to install information.  Interesting to know that taking a class and trying to create one from scratch is extremely different and now there is a new appreciation for all teachers who create the classes for us to learn.

EDU 632- Project #3: Learning Management Systems Comparisons