LMS

2010-08-11T15:46

$modified

LMS is primarily a tool set for administrative efficiency rather than a platform for substantive teaching and learning activities. These concerns have been exacerbated by rapid growth in LMS-related spending over the past decade, which has led many to question whether the benefits of the technology are worth the cost.

Faculty use the CMS primarily as an administrative tool ... rather than as a tool anchored in pedagogy or cognitive science models."

The LMS serves as an affirming technology of traditional teaching. The instructor doesn't challenge the LMS very much, and, in turn, the LMS doesn't challenge the instructor. The student gets the convenience benefit from electronic distribution of documents (and grades) but little more.

Notes for the above quotes

LMS Strengths	LMS Weaknesses
Simple, consistent, and structured	As widely implemented, time-bound (courses disappear at the end of the semester)
Integration with student information systems (SISs), with student rosters automatically populated in courses	Teacher, rather than student, centric
Private and secure (FERPA compliant)	Courses walled off from each other and from the wider web, negating the potential of the network effect
Simple and inexpensive to train and support (compared to supporting multiple tools)	Limited opportunities for students to "own" and manage their learning experiences within and across courses
Tight tool integration (such as quiz scores populated in gradebooks)	Rigid, non-modular tools
Supports sophisticated content structuring (sequencing, branching, adaptive release)	Interoperability challenges and difficulties²⁶
PLE Strengths	PLE Weaknesses
Almost limitless variety and functionality of tools, customizable and adaptable in multiple configurations and variations	Complex and difficult to create for inexperienced students and faculty members
Inexpensive — often composed of free and open source tools	Potential security and data exposure problems (FERPA issues abound)
No artificial time boundaries: remains "on" before, during, and after matriculation	Limited institutional control over data
Open to interaction, sharing, and connection without regard to official registration in programs or courses or particular institutions	Absent or unenforceable service-level agreements; no ability to predict or resolve web application performance issues, outages, or even disappearance
Student-centric (each student selects and uses the tools that make sense for their particular needs and circumstances)	Lacks centrally managed and aggregated group rosters (such as class rolls)
Learning content and conversations are compilable via simple technologies like RSS	Difficult and potentially expensive to provide support for multiple tools and their integrations with each other and with institutional systems

Distance Ed LMS Learning management