Week 1 Project - LMO Overview

After reading Howell’s (2006) article on learning management systems, it seems there is no clear leader among Course Management Systems (CMS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), and Virtual Learning Environments (VLE’s). These systems all provide different needs for their usersEach system offers something different to the user and administrator.

LMS

Learning Management Systems aim to simplify the administration of learning and training. They are mainly used as programs within large organizations or universities. They allow the employee or students to gauge and plan learning programs as well as communicate and collaborate with peers. It allows administrators to target, deliver, track, analyze, and report. You also see LMS used in the medical field and specialized areas where specific training is needed for the field.

CMS

Course Management Systems were developed for education and provide more functionality for administrators to run the school. The CMS allows for registration, grading, and library resources to be monitored and offered to students across the system. The CMS can be more customized to meet the needs of the users.

CMS +LMS=LCMS

Learning Course Management Systems (LCMS) began as a military tool suite for training and readiness. LCMS are used in big organizations like universities for a more customizable training and learning environment. In the LCMS reusable learning objects (RLO) and shared common object reference model (SCORM) are tools that can be used time and time again for training that remains consistent.

PLE

Personal Learning Environment (PLE) are looked at as the future of learning environments. PLEs offer a more individual and personalized approach to the learning management system. In these systems learners take control their own learning by setting their own learning goals as well as managing their own learning process (Wikipedia, 2010).

There is diverse set of needs through out education and varying organizations these systems have been developed to meet the needs necessary. Because of the vast array of requirements needed by these organizations it is difficult to place one management systems ahead of another. In the future it is a possibility we may see a management system the stand above all others and can not only meet the needs of organizations while offering customization for administrators, employees and students.

References:

History of personal learning environments. (February 2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 2, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_personal_learning_environments

Howell, C. (2006). Why is there no clear leader among CMS/LMS/VLEs?. Educause. Retrieved August 2, 2010 from http://www.educause.edu/blog/catherine/WhyistherenoclearleaderamonCM/16165