Navigate 3- LMS Tool Categories

Explore: Identify the major tool categories in Learning Management Systems.

Answer: What are the most relevant features offered within an LMS?  Which features directly relate to effective online instruction?  How might you use these features in the online classroom environment?

Tools 

1. Organization level announcements
2. Blogs – private space for users used as a reflection tool, users can get comments from outside of the LMS
3. Journals – area to write a narrative
4. Glossary – defines common terms or acronyms used throughout the course
5. E-mail – this is often used as an internal function between instructor and student or student to student

Teacher information consists of class lists (listing of those enrolled in the coarse), the calendar (a list of class deadlines and special events), and the bulletin board/class news (provides news for about the course the students are enrolled in).

Course Administration consists of the course home (components that organize the information in different sections) and the syllabus (handbook policy reminders, teacher content information, course description, course standards, grading categories, and assignment schedule).

Course Content and LOR consist of import/export options (the ability to move content in and out of the course), course authoring (can be built by using LMS built-in tools or other external tools), course packages (these are  programmed set of rules that allows a learner to “go through” a course and can be imported and exported to and from LMS’s), learning object repository (the place in which all learning resources are stored managed and shared).

Course Assessments consist of tests and quizzes, rubrics, and dropbox. Instructors must be able to assess students work efficiently and effectively.

Communication consists of email (an option inside the LMS where teachers and students can exchange digital messages) and discussion boards (which encourage student interaction). The following are the common communication tools in LMSs: email, notifications, discussions, instant messaging, blogs, social profiles, calendars, and agents.

Grades/Gradebook consists of feedback and progress for the learner. Grade books can be set up various ways, depending on how the instructor is comfortable and what best serves the learner.