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List of Learning Management Systems for Schools

List of Learning Management Systems for Schools

Similar to other sectors, the education industry has experienced advancements because of technological innovations. Even though a face-to-face learning set-up is still available, the requirements of teachers and students continue to change.

How can you deal with learner-related information like scores and grades? How can teachers deliver the best education experience while ensuring that they work efficiently? What can schools do in case of disasters – for example, the coronavirus pandemic, which led to the closure of schools? Also, what can be done so as to improve access to instruction materials?

Luckily, learning management systems are developed so as to enhance student engagement and accomplish online learning efforts. High schools can provide hybrid or online classes utilizing a learning management system. A good number of these platforms have advanced features that facilitate collaboration and manage learners.

Why Do You Require a Learning Management System

Many disruptive factors are transforming the education sector in the last few months. Learners are becoming more competitive than before. Additionally, the high costs and issues that involve learner debt are making every individual to consider their learning choices. Also, learner demographics are also changing greatly as high schools, and other learning institutions target more diverse populations.

The wish to deliver more resources and programs with less funding necessitates various delivery models. Innovations such as a learning management system enable learning institutions to experience such challenges. Moreover, these platforms give course developers insights so as to adjust to the needs of students and optimize their operations.

In this piece, we explore different online learning solutions that fit the different needs of administrators, teachers, and students. But first, here are the crucial factors to take into consideration when evaluating a learning management system.

Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Learning Management System

LMSs differ depending on the target market. Some learning management systems provide a bare-bones interface and require a skilled and experienced developer to set-up. Other learning management systems are fully-featured; hence they can be used immediately. Some of the important functionalities that you must consider when selecting a learning management system include;

Teacher and Student Collaboration

Using a learning management system as a model of teaching involves various collaboration styles that aren’t seen in a traditional classroom environment. It has features that facilitate seamless and easy collaboration between students and instructors.

Learning Management System Examples

A real-time communication platform ought to be included, like integration or chat to a VoIP service. Notably, this enables instructors to talk to learners while conducting audio and video classes. Likewise, every individual ought to have access to asynchronous communication like conversation threads. Through this, students can post messages and responses, even odd hours. Moreover, face-to-face communication ought to be available for instructor-student consultations.

Notably, these features ought to be contextual. This means that class organizers should post discussion topics, course materials, and assignments where learners may also ask queries. The feature makes it easy to track, monitor, and moderate conversations.

Tests and Quizzes

Any robust learning management system has a test engine or an in-built quiz. Since teachers aren’t physically present, they can’t make sure that learners are faithfully completing their assignments. Assessment is the only way through which teachers can evaluate the learners. Regrettably, whereas uploading a file with questions can execute the task, it isn’t efficient.

Teachers ought to create questions that may be saved into a “bank.” Moreover, facilitators ought to create different types of questions, from essays to multiple choices. Every kind must have a layout that learners can understand easily.

Additionally, instructors can mark items as wrong or correct easily. The test engine ought to be able to check the work of students and calculate scores with the related grading rubric. Instructors should have a way of providing feedback or reviews in case of essay-type tests. Some learning management systems have the capacity to limit trials to undertake the test, set time for particular questions, or randomize questions.

Smart solutions for the creation and provision of assessments assist teachers in developing creative quizzes which will test the critical thinking of the students. Objective questions where students memorize facts aren’t perfect for such environments since they can look for answers from the internet and other resources. Therefore, time saved from utilizing these solutions would ensure that instructors work efficiently as they provide high-quality education.

Data and Reports

Having courses and classes done using a learning management system provides teachers with an opportunity to gather data that are difficult to collect in a traditional classroom. Reports may be created from this data so as to provide teachers and students with insights. Features that should be available in a learning management system include;

  • Course feedback from learners
  • Course time tracking for self-paced classes
  • Teacher and facilitator evaluation by learners
  • Learner participation and engagement
  • Test assessmentand scoring through the course
  • Reporting of learner progress through course and materials

Learning Management System for Students

Mobile Access

There is a rapid growth in the mobile learning market. This implies that many online learners use tablets or smartphones in order to complete their syllabus. Actually, it is anticipated to increase since mobile devices are global.

A learning management system platform ought to be accessed by these devices. The learning management system should be able to adapt a responsive design; hence the portal should be more flexible. The mobile version of the learning management system ought to be accessible to offer an improved experience.

Also, the mobility of smartphones and tablets enables learners to get course materials utilizing cellular data. This flexibility enables high schools and other learning institutions to provide courses, even for those who cannot access wired internet connections. Students with strict schedules have the opportunity of assessing virtual classrooms at any time.

Common Learning Management Systems

  1. Blackboard

This is a common name in the online learning market. Blackboard comes in the form of non- software-as-a-service and software-as-a-service models. The blackboard service provider provides all the main features of learning management, including web conferencing, collaboration tools, communication channels, and data analytics. Teachers can easily track grades and deliver tests and homework. Also, they can manage blended and virtual classes.

  1. Moodle

This is an open-source and free learning management system that has been in existence for a long time. Even though it doesn’t look as sleek or modern as paid rivals, it has robust functionalities that make it the best choice for any school.

Moodle learning management system can be extended and customized so as meet your learning needs. It has thousands of community-developed plugins that enable uses to add other functionalities. Besides, it easily integrates with other solutions such as Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps, and NextCloud.

Also, Moodle LMS also provides solutions that fit different learning needs, such as Moodle Workplace, MoodleNet, and Moodle App.

  1. Schoology

Schoology is the other fully-featured education platform that aims at providing all tools required to collaborate with instructors, communicate with learners, and design lessons. The strength of this platform lies in its focus on creating and connecting your learning community. Schoology not only contains class-level channels but also enables you to connect with the whole school. Through this, uses can create virtual classes where learners engage with instructors outside classroom time.

  1. Edmodo LMS

Edmodo aims at bridging administrators, parents, students, and instructors in a single platform. These participants may create messages and posts utilizing a built-in communication tool similar to a social media site. It enables instructors to create quizzes and content and share course materials with other teachers. Learners using this platform enjoy the in-built planner, which syncs with their tests, course content, and classes. Also, parents have access to the scores and grades of their teens in real-time. They can also connect with instructors.

  1. CertCentral

The CertCentral learning management system is best for organizations that provide certificate programs. It has a seamless interface that helps in efficient course certifications and development. Additionally, the drag-and-drop layout enables users to develop instructions and personalize them for different programs swiftly. Apart from the main features of CertCentral, it comprises advanced functionalities like improved testing, analytics and reporting, security and compliance, and custom certificates. Also, CertCentral integrates with Stripe; thus, potential learners might subscribe to programs instantly.

Which Learning Management System Best Fits Your Requirements

The best learning management system depends on the kind of learning institution, faculty members, learner demographics, and classes. Open-source solutions such as Moodle are more flexible, but you require an experienced developer to run. Edmodo is best suited for K-12 courses with its accessibility and ease-of-use. CertCentral learning management system suites organizations that provide certifications and training for continuous education. That said, it is recommendable that you look at each LMS closely before selecting the one to invest in.

As you access these learning management systems, make sure that all key features are in-built from course developers to communication channels. Note that a learning management system is meant to improve the workflow of teachers and enhance the learning experience of learners. By considering all these, you will get the best learning management system that will enhance your education.

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