Learning Management System (LMS)

Introduction

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or Web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process.

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or Web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process. Typically, a learning management system provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance. A learning management system may also provide students with the ability to use interactive features such as threaded discussions, video conferencing, and discussion forums. The Advanced Distance Learning group, sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, has created a set of specifications called Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) to encourage the standardization of learning management systems.

Components of an LMS

There is no standard industry definition or published standard defining the components of an LMS, but several features are common:

• Creation of class rosters, control over registration processes, and the ability to create waiting lists.
• Uploading and management of documents containing curricular content.
• Delivery of course content over web-based interfaces, most often allowing remote participation by the instructor or pupil.
• Creation and publication of course calendars.
• Interaction between students, such as instant messaging, email, and discussion forums.
• Methods of assessment and testing (like creating pop quizzes).
• Full training management system with easy to use reporting

LMS systems used in corporate training environments often have additional features that satisfy goals relating to knowledge management and performance evaluation, such as:

• Automatic enrollment and reminders for mandatory courses.
• Options for manager access, such as to approve materials or participation.
• Integration with human resource systems for tracking employment eligibility, performance goals, and similar corporate priorities.
• Control over access and class groupings according to a number of metrics, such as geography, involvement in a particular project, or levels of security clearance.

Top LMS Software

• Moodle                                               

• Edmodo                                                                               

• Blackboard

• Sumtotal

• Skillsoft

Advantages of an LMS

Like several information technology innovations in recent decades, the Learning Management System is able to add a level of efficiency to an organization’s learning systems, with a number of other benefits as well, such as:

• Easily adapting and reusing materials over time.
• More choices for creators of curriculum, such as method of delivery, design of materials, and techniques for evaluation.
• Creating economies of scale that make it less costly for organizations to develop and maintain content, as they rely on third parties.
• Improvements in professional development and evaluation, allowing companies to get more value from human resources while empowering individuals with additional tools for self-improvement..

Drawbacks of a LMS                                                                       

• The biggest drawback of using a LMS is that many aspects of training and many things that need to be learned do not lend themselves to online learning. Many jobs require the acquisition of a physical skill, which cannot be easily learned or tested online.

• A person can view diagrams of how to apply a tourniquet online, but they need to demonstrate their ability to an instructor in real-time before they can be allowed to apply tourniquets on real patients.

• Many aspects of salesmanship have to do with facial expressions, body language and other forms of interpersonal communication. Some of these can be learned through online materials, but sales trainers probably like to do most of their training by demonstrating their abilities in front of prospects or having trainees listen to sales calls on the telephone. A sales trainer will not know if a trainee has learned how to sell until he or she closes a sale.

• Another drawback to using a LMS is that it may give trainees tunnel vision. They may not consider learning opportunities outside of the LMS. If they are taking their training online at home, they may not realize that they can learn a great deal in the break room or in the corridor simply by talking to coworkers or asking questions of senior managers.

• A LMS cannot easily incorporate informal learning through networking or mentoring. An LMS may not always be able to accommodate different learning styles. Some trainers are considered good trainers because they know how to present material in a classroom. Their dynamism or charisma may not always come across in an online video.

References :

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/learning-management-system

http://elearningindustry.com/the-20-best-learning-management-systems

https://www.mindflash.com/learning-management-systems/what-is-lms

ICT Application available in Teaching and Learning Process

 in School.

Information and Communication Technologies have recently gained groundswell of interest. It is a significant research area for many scholars around the globe.  Their nature has highly changed the face of education over the last few decades.

Some advantages of using ICT in teaching learning process

     General benefits

·         Greater efficiency throughout the school.

·         Communication channels are increased through email, discussion groups and chat rooms

·         Regular use of ICT across different curriculum subjects can have a beneficial motivational influence on students’ learning.

Benefits for teachers

·         ICT facilitates sharing of resources, expertise and advice

·         Greater flexibility in when and where tasks are carried out

·         Gains in ICT literacy skills, confidence and enthusiasm.

·         Easier planning and preparation of lessons and designing materials

·         Access to up-to-date pupil and school data, any time and anywhere.

·         Enhancement of professional image projected to colleagues.

·         Students are generally more ‘on task’ and express more positive feelings when they use computers than when they are given other tasks to do.

·         Computer use during lessons motivated students to continue using learning outside school hours.

Benefits for students

·         Higher quality lessons through greater collaboration between teachers in planning and preparing resources .

·         More focused teaching, tailored to students’ strengths and weaknesses, through better analysis of attainment data

·         Improved pastoral care and behaviour management through better tracking of students

·         Gains in understanding and analytical skills, including improvements in reading

·         Comprehension.

·         Development of writing skills (including spelling, grammar, punctuation, editing and re-drafting), also fluency, originality and elaboration.

·         Encouragement of independent and active learning, and self-responsibility for learning.

·         Flexibility of ‘anytime, anywhere’ access (Jacobsen and Kremer, 2000)

·         Development of higher level learning styles.

·         Students who used educational technology in school felt more successful in school, were more motivated to learn and have increased self-confidence and self-esteem

·         Students found learning in a technology-enhanced setting more stimulating and student-centred than in a traditional classroom

·         Broadband technology supports the reliable and uninterrupted downloading of web-hosted educational multimedia resources

·         Opportunities to address their work to an external audience

·         Opportunities to collaborate on assignments with people outside or inside school

Disadvantages of using ICT in teaching learning process