It is difficult to discuss a single concept of what is known as ubiquitous learning without talking about another. Starting online college courses was my first exposure to an organized, fully digital approach to learning through a learning management system. A learning management system is a set of software, digital repositories, and tools that allow for the organized presentation, interaction, collaboration, and submission of educational or training materials in an online environment.

Early LMS tracked things like assignment completion, grades, performance indicators and other data. During the early-2000’s, there was a steady migration of content from a traditional classroom and training setting onto networks that interfaced or were part of the LMS eventually growing to become learning content management systems or LCMS. As technology proliferated and internet access became more readily available, they matured into a full-service industry, combining course materials and data collection that not only dominates education but also private sector training programs. 

^{A more indepth inforgraphic about the evolution of LMS can be accessed HERE.}

Digital learning environments grew rapidly partly due to the vast amount of resources and scalability of content. One of the benefits to online learning structured through an LMS is the ability to search and locate resources that better explain or demonstrate concepts than what is available through the official course material. Indeed, throughout most of courses taken online, students can identify other external sources of information, usually on video sites such as YouTube, or real-world demonstrations of whatever concept they are exploring. This ability to have the same learning objective addressed through multiple instructors and experiences allows students to grasp concepts more wholly and with a greater understanding of its relevance and application outside of the learning environment.

So, while the online classroom itself is a formally structured environment, being online affords students the opportunity to utilize resources that are in many cases not even designed to be learning materials yet function all the same and better the students understanding of the concepts being presented. As LMS/LCMS continue to evolve integrating and networking with more facets of everyday life online, every opportunity to gain knowledge through life experiences can be harnessed to meet educational objectives in a meaningful and efficient way.