Learning Management Systems tend to be "more robust" than Course Management Systems (CMS); however, they can both do relatively similar jobs because technology has made integration very smoothly. Wikipedia defines an LMS as a "software application" where administrators can document, track, report and deliver electronic technology, or e-learning
An LMS can be hybrid/blended where some material is available online while other material is disseminated in the traditional classroom setting. LMSs typically are used to augment on-campus teaching and learning. It is an additional platform to help engage students.
The largest LMS in the education sector are Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle (open source), and Instructure Canvas (gaining traction). Typically, an LMS falls into two categories,---corporate and education--- but we are only focusing on the education category since this blog is in the context of education.
Educational Institutions have to balance several determining factors (i.e., goals, expense, purpose) when deciding if they need an LMS or a CMS. An LMS is quite flexible and can shrink or expand as deemed necessary. Course Management Systems are typically more narrower in scope. An LMS can actually offer an unlimited number of options, so one can infer that the more options an educational institution wants to deliver means a larger LMS service it would have to use.
No comments:
Post a Comment