Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies MOOC’s Updates

Essential Update #1 - Learning Management Systems

Retrieved from:https://www.maxpixel.net/Lms-Presentation-E-Learning-Course-Gui-341444

Although I have had Learning Management Systems (LMS) available to use in my classrooms since I started my career in teaching 16 years ago, I had not discovered how much it can alter the dynamics of teaching until recently. Pre-pandemic, I managed my class in a mostly analog and traditional way. I prepared a paper syllabus to distribute at the first class meeting that contained all vital course information and supplemented it with in-class announcements, handouts and notes on the blackboard. However, due to the lack of face-to-face meetings during the pandemic, I was forced to adapt my teaching to a virtual environment by using my university’s LMS. The advantages of an LMS are many and I would like to describe three general areas where the advantages were most beneficial for my teaching.

The first area is organization of class content. I no longer needed to distribute a paper syllabus because our LMS made it easy to group and display my class information by topic, date, or activity. In addition, I could use sub-groups to show everything that was covered and distributed in a specific class, which was most useful for students who were unable to attend.

Another area the LMS improved is communication. First, I could make class announcements at any time, not just during class sessions. These announcements could be posted directly onto the course page for students to access on their own or I can use the LMS to broadcast it to all relevant members. In addition, I can also use the LMS to send messages directly to students. This method has advantages over email, because messages through the LMS are not buried under a pile of other emails and finding contact information for students is quicker if it is connected to the class. Lastly, forums and discussion groups can be quickly and easily organized so students can discuss class topics inside and outside of the designated class time.

Finally, the LMS makes access to class information much easier. First of all, class materials can be posted to the course page. Handouts, assignments, PowerPoints, videos, audio and weblinks can be referenced at any time to check or confirm information they learned in class or reviewed by students who missed class. Lastly, student progress can also be checked through the LMS. Students can check assignment and test scores through the LMS and read comments left by instructors and/or classmates.

References:

Blog CAE, Learning Management System. “9 Advantages of Learning Platforms or LMS.” Retrieved from https://www.cae.net/lms-learning-platforms-advantages/#
Govender, I. & Govender, D. (2010, April 6) An Exploratory Study: The effectiveness of a Learning Management System (LMS) in the delivery of a face-to-face programming course. International conference on education, training and informatics: ICETI

  • Matthew Zellner
  • Gina Francesconi