Learning Management System (LMS)

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a education-supporting software product that enables course management and learning delivery (through digital platforms).

• Context:
  • System Input: course content, student information, assessment materials
    • Optional Input: learning objectives, curriculum standards
  • System Output: course delivery, learning assessments, progress reports
  • System Performance Measure: student engagement, learning outcomes, completion rates
  • ...
  • It can often manage Course Content through content management systems.
  • It can often deliver Learning Materials through digital learning platforms.
  • It can often track Student Progress through assessment systems.
  • It can often support Course Administration through management tools.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Basic Learning Platform to being an Enterprise Learning System, depending on its system capability.
  • It can range from being a Single Course Platform to being a Multi-Program Learning System, depending on its scope.
  • It can range from being a Content-Focused LMS to being an Analytics-Driven Learning Platform, depending on its primary function.
  • It can range from being a Traditional LMS to being an AI-Enhanced Learning System, depending on its technology level.
  • ...
  • It can support Educational Standards through curriculum alignment and assessment frameworks.
  • It can maintain Data Integrations with student information systems and learning tools.
  • It can enable Learning Assessments through quiz engines and assignment tools.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Education Sector LMSes (that provide learning platforms for educational institutions), such as:
    • Higher Education Platforms, such as:
      • Enterprise Education LMSes, such as:
        • Instructure Canvas for comprehensive course management.
        • D2L Brightspace for integrated learning delivery.
        • Blackboard Learn for enterprise education platform.
      • Open Source Education LMSes, such as:
        • Moodle for community learning platform.
        • Sakai for collaborative learning system.
        • Open edX for massive online course platform.
    • K-12 Education Platforms, such as:
      • Integrated K-12 LMSes, such as:
        • Google Classroom for K-12 instruction delivery.
        • Schoology for blended learning management.
        • Canvas K-12 for primary education delivery.
      • Specialized K-12 LMSes, such as:
        • Edmodo for social learning platform.
        • Seesaw for elementary learning management.
        • IXL Learning Platform for elementary curriculum delivery.
  • Corporate Sector LMSes (that provide learning platforms for business organizations), such as:
    • Enterprise Training Platforms, such as:
      • Large Enterprise LMSes, such as:
        • Cornerstone LMS for enterprise workforce development.
        • SAP Litmos for large scale training delivery.
        • Docebo for enterprise skill development.
      • Mid-Market LMSes, such as:
        • TalentLMS for business training management.
        • Absorb LMS for corporate education delivery.
        • 360Learning for collaborative corporate training.
    • Industry-Specific Platforms, such as:
      • Healthcare LMSes, such as:
        • HealthStream for healthcare staff training.
        • MedBridge for medical education delivery.
        • ReliasPro for healthcare compliance training.
      • Government LMSes, such as:
        • Blackboard Government for government agency training.
        • Meridian LMS for public sector education.
        • GoLearn for standardized government training.
  • Specialized LMS Providers (that provide learning platforms for specific needs), such as:
    • Compliance Training Platforms, such as:
      • Regulatory Compliance LMSes, such as:
        • NetLearning for clinical education management.
        • CareerCert for medical certification training.
        • SumTotal Government for public service learning.
      • Industry Compliance LMSes, such as:
        • ComplianceWire for regulated industry training.
        • Totara Learn for business learning platform.
    • Open Learning Platforms, such as:
      • Community LMSes, such as:
        • ILIAS for academic learning system.
        • Moodle Cloud Free for basic institutional learning.
        • Moodle Community for small organization learning.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Content Management System, which manages digital content without learning-specific features.
  • Student Information System, which handles administrative data without course delivery capabilities.
  • Training Management System, which focuses on instructor-led training rather than digital learning delivery.
  • Learning Record Store, which stores learning data without course management functionality.
  • Course Authoring Tool, which creates course content without delivery platform capabilities.
• See: Learning Record Store, Educational Software, Blended Learning, Flipped Classroom, Training Management System, Instructor-Led Training.

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References

2024-12-14

• Perplexity.ai
  • Question: What are the core features and functions of Learning Management Systems (LMS)? Please describe their key components, benefits, and deployment options. Include information about content management, user management, assessment tools, and advanced features. Also explain the different types of deployment available and their respective advantages.
  • Answer: A LMS is a software platform designed to create, distribute, and manage educational content delivery. It serves as a centralized system for organizing and implementing online learning environments.
    • Core Functions:
      • Course Management:
        • Creates and manages educational content including multimedia materials.
        • Supports various content formats including text, images, videos, and audio.
        • Enables content organization and categorization.
        • Provides course templates and versioning capabilities.
      • User Management and Delivery:
        • Manages user accounts, roles, and permissions.
        • Facilitates enrollment and registration processes.
        • Delivers content through responsive design for various devices.
        • Enables offline access to learning materials.
      • Assessment and Tracking:
        • Provides built-in assessment tools like quizzes and tests.
        • Offers automated grading capabilities.
        • Tracks learner progress and performance.
        • Generates customizable reports and analytics.
    • Key Benefits:
      • Accessibility and Flexibility:
        • Allows learning from anywhere at any time.
        • Enables self-paced learning.
        • Provides mobile and remote access.
      • Cost Efficiency:
        • Reduces expenses for physical classrooms.
        • Eliminates need for printed materials.
        • Minimizes travel costs.
      • Enhanced Learning Experience:
        • Offers interactive elements and multimedia content.
        • Enables collaboration through discussion boards.
        • Provides immediate feedback.
        • Supports personalized learning paths.
    • Deployment Options:
      • Cloud-based LMS:
        • Accessed through web browsers.
        • Hosted by software providers.
        • Requires only internet connection.
        • Offers easier accessibility.
      • Self-hosted LMS:
        • Installed on organization's servers.
        • Requires local maintenance.
        • Provides more control over data.
        • Needs application installation.
  • Citations:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_management_system
[2] https://www.valamis.com/hub/what-is-an-lms
[3] https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/what-is-lms
[4] https://www.instructure.com/lms-learning-management-system
[5] https://wahoolearning.com/blog/learning-management-systems/benefits-customised-lms/

2017

• (Wikipedia, 2017) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/learning_management_system Retrieved:2017-10-25.
  • A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs. They help the instructor deliver material to the students, administer tests and other assignments, track student progress, and manage record-keeping. LMSs are focused on online learning delivery but support a range of uses, acting as a platform for fully online courses, as well as several hybrid forms, such as blended learning and flipped classrooms. LMSs can be complemented by other learning technologies such as a training management system to manage instructor-led training or a Learning Record Store to store and track learning data.

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