Learning Management Systems:
In looking at Universities, Colleges often provide an open forum for experimentation and broad learning horizons. However, online learning managements systems have been slow to catch on. Many universities use the “one size fits all” format, that hinders the academic flexibility and creativity that is often encouraged in a campus setting.
The learning management system of Blackboard often dominates the University setting. However, administrators and students alike, find the system dated and cumbersome to use. Many are experimenting with alternatives such as Schoology, Canvas, Moodle, and Saiki.
According to The Journal of Educational Technology Systems, drawbacks of BlackBoard include.
- Software that is difficult to learn
- restricted options on some operating systems
- excess downloading leads to insufficiencies in bandwidth
- cost
Looking through the case studies, it is evident that most of the individuals see benefits of LMS, but that each course, or professor has their own needs. Many of the LMS’s are becoming very innovative and producing systems that fit certain courses better than others. Frustrations set in with LMS’s when limitations appear. Some teachers expressed disappointment in how their presentations appeared in the LMS. Regardless, most all saw benefits to the students and their learning as a direct result of the LMS.
Benefits of LMS from Study
- Increased communication with students through post and discussion boards
- Helps students become “professional Thinkers”
- Increased availability and resources for students.
- Could be cost and administrative efficiencies
- Can be altered to meet a range of diverse learning styles
Drawbacks of LMS from Study
- Lack of face to face interaction and relationship building
- Limited discussion capabilities
- Lack of ability to see students hinders ability to see if they are truly learning
- Tough to replace hands on/interactive lab based experience (science)
- In-flexible Navigation
- Difficult to display complex concepts
- Students expectation that teachers were “online constantly”
- Lack of audio/video features to present lectures
As the teachers reflected on their personal pedagogical beliefs, many found that the LMS restrict their teaching styles in some way. Although most acknowledged benefits, nearly all saw restrictions. Some restrictions were content based, some were software based, while others were limited by the teacher’s personal capabilities.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
Blended Learning in Higher Education by. D. Randy Garrison, Norman D. Vaughan
Deep Learning for the Digital Age, by Van B. Weigel
Student Test Scores are Improved in a Virtual Learning Environment by Harry R. Goldberg, Guy M. McKhann
I have noticed that many of the articles and posts about Learning Management Systems surround the use of them in secondary and post-secondary settings. While, these levels of education are well-suited for LMS, administrators and teachers of elementary students like to use the systems as well, albeit, in different ways. I have a moodle site for my students that serves as a communication piece for parents and as an online class where the kids can come and play games or take quizzes. It is, though, a supplemental aspect to my classroom...not how I teach. I can see how the teachers in this study found LMS to be restrictive. I cannot imagine using these as a means to instruct as well as communicate. It takes all of the relationship building and personalized instructional support out of the classroom.
ReplyDeleteSo do you think there is no relationship building and personalized instruction through online learning? If that's the case, I completely disagree. It is a different kind of learning and instruction but there is absolutely value to it. Yes your secondary and primary classes are going to look different but as with anything, why not have the elementary level serve as an introduction to online learning and general use and function of an LMS?
DeleteAny LMS should be used to supplement and enhance classroom instruction. I totally agree with a big issue being that then one size fits all model does not work with LMS's. If we stop and think about that for a second, it totally makes sense. We don't expect a one size fits all model to work when educating students do we? No, the emphasis is on differntiating instruction to challenge and meet the needs of each individual student. I think the day will come when an LMS is developed that allows teachers to individually and easily customize the aspects of that LMS to work for their classes and students. An elementary teacher and a high school teacher will use the same LMS to communicate, facilitate, instruct and deliver instruction in a age appropriate way. One size won't have to fit all when it is set up in a way that even the most low-tech teacher can easily use and understand how and why the LMS works for their class and students.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a one size fit all model does not fit everyone. We need to be able to mold each LMS classroom differently based on the needs of those students. I also believe that as more and more companies begin developing more LMS' that they will make it more flexible and thus make it easier for different grade levels and classrooms to differentiate their instruction.
DeleteI agree that there really can't be a one size fits all LMS for everyone. LMS's, like any other tech, is meant to support the classroom instruction. It's not meant to be a stand alone tool to teach and instruct kids. What it can do is help to streamline content for students and if used creatively and effectively, it can also help to create greater student engagement and communication by using discussion forums or in the case of Canvas, video chat.
ReplyDeleteColleges try to make it one size fits all... so what are you saying Jay? Are you smarter than the people at Harvard or Duke?
DeleteYour point is well said though- streamlining is awesome- a one stop shop for your educational needs.
I agree that there isn't a such thing as a "one size fits all" for LMS programs. I think it's awesome that our district has recently opened up the opportunity to choose our own LMS system. First it was Blackboard, then Moodle. Many of us have moved to Schoology, but we have the option to chose what works best for us and our students. This is key, considering different LMS programs seem to pop up every second. Who knows what we will be using next year? In 5 years?
DeleteI think that you bring up some great points about both the positives and the drawbacks of any LMS. I think that most people know that I am a BIG fan of Schoology because of its simplicity, the updates that are constantly happening, and the familiarity it has with other popular social networks. However, as great as I think it is, I am also very willing to say that it is simply a tool and not an end all be all. I think that LMS’ are a great tool to give students resources and another outlet to be able to reach their teachers. However, I do not believe it can replace the hands on that you get in a classroom or that live student teacher interaction. While I know that technology is trying to move this way with things like Google+ Hangouts, I do not know that it will ever be able to completely replace that live interaction.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Ben- Learning Management systems are a huge moneymaker. Colleges are consistently looking for new systems to implement- makes you want to get in the business! However, we seem to be on the cutting edge of this technology at our school, while colleges are taking time and more time to research and pilot, they are falling behind in their selections (i.e Moodle over blackboard- now canvas!)
ReplyDeleteI agree LMS are changing so fast we can barely keep up. I keep thinking how I can prepare my students to use any LMS they may come across in the future. I think the key is to expose them to as may as possible.
DeleteI agree, Melissa. It is so important that we expose our kids to different technologies. After all, they will not be using Moodle when they enter the workforce. The key is teaching students how to adapt to new learning environments, not corner them into one option because its more convenient for us.
DeleteLMS have become a must have in education, across the grade levels. I agree that there is not a one size fits all model. I like the I can currently chose which LMS works best for me and my students.
ReplyDelete