Learning Management Systems

What is a Learning Management System?

A Learning Management System is a software application for administration, tracking, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, training purposes and documentation purposes. The most popular LMS would be Blackboard or Moodle. Using Moodle for both University purposes and in prac classroom purpose I have seen the many advantages a Learning Management System can have for educational purposes.
Moodle is a virtual learning environment where asministration (teachers and lecturers) can upload documents, videos, activities, resources, content fillers and data in relation to your learning. The great thing about Moodle is that it is a free resource and this program has specialists come to your school and teach you how to navigate around and set up a Moodle.

Looking at Moodle in my prac school that I am currently at, it has so many advtanges for students and teachers. I feel Moodle supports an outcomes-orientated learning environment.

Strengths
Students can access Moodle from home.
Teachers can set up homework task's online to save those quotes like 'the dog ate my homework'.
It builds more communication between parents and teachers as teachers can upload photos, weekly posts about what is going on in the classroom and extra tasks.
Mathematic games, Literacy games and more can be uploaded which students can do in class or at home.
Saves time when the Moodle is excessivly used and up-to-date.

Weeknesses
In my prac schools staff meeting they were deciding if they should use it in their school, a major issue that the teachers had was that it would take up more time that they just don' have.Many teachers also felt that they were not technologically savy enough to build and use a Moodle and some teachers felt like there students (such as prep) would not be able to navigate their way around the site.

Opportunities
I feel Moodle (or any Learning Management System) provides students, teachers and parents with many opportunities when living and learning in the 21st Century.
It gives students opportunities to work with technology which will build their skills and confidence.
Students can learn and extend their learning from home and in school when using a LMS when the teacher uses it in an engaging and supportive way.
Parents can keep up-to-date with their childs school life which is good for parents who work full time.

Threats
A privacy issue is always a threat when using the internet and uploading photos. To illiminate this threat it would be good to hold a night where parents come in and you can take them through the Moodle site or simply just send a letter home to parents. It does ask for a User name and password which assists in the privacy issues.


I feel Learning Management Systems, when implimented effectivly and commonly used, can assist all learners in building their knowledge and provides many engaging learning experiences.

For myself, as a future orientated Learning Manager, I feel I will definatly use an LMS in my classroom for students, parents and myself. Moodle is a free resource, engaging and exciting. I cant wait to use it in my future classroom!


Have a look at this!