Module 4

Week Four Module

In this module, the nature and operations of Learning Management System (LMS) in schools were introduced. LMS’s are integrative online systems that use a range of digital technologies to leverage the relationships between students, teacher, parents and the wider school community. Some key functioning to LMS systems involve, Setting assignments and marking them online, set in-built quizzes, ongoing gradebook, communication between individuals, groups, whole classes, teachers, or parents thereof. Among the popular widely-used LMS are: Canvas, Desire 2 Learn, Moodle and Edmodo. These four platforms were examined through short video segments explaining the functions of each. Following the viewing and some individual research, the four LMS’s were ranked and reviewed from most efficient to least efficient. Please view below my response.

Grade: 3/3

My answer:

1. Canvas

Canvas is a valuable LMS that simplifies teaching and learning whilst connecting all the digital tools teachers use in one easy platform. Canvas offers accessibility and integration between other e-learning resources such as One Note or Google Docs to drive personalised and customized unique learning experiences for students. Canvas’ streamlining and futureproofing in assessment feedback is highly productive and time-efficient. The ability to view, score and annotate all on the same page, as well as choose various formats enhances the learning experience and saves time. Above all, Canvas adapts and takes the classroom experience to reflect 21st century learning.

2. Moodle

Undeniably, Moodle is a fantastic, interactive tool that engages teachers and students to work in co-ordination with one another. Teachers and students can benefit from Moodle’s basic yet rich interface. A key strength Moodle provides an offline functionality, allowing teachers to synchronize with the Moodle server and access course materials and activities offline. As demonstrated in the short clip, this is evident through the completion data process from SCORM packages to be passed back to a central server. Moodle’s accessibility is important and makes for a good LMS and overall e-learning platform.

3. Edmodo

Edmodo is excellent in providing an online forum for engaging students in collaboration, sharing, and discussion, especially for group and project based learning. The moderated discussion options allow teachers to give students flexibility to interact with each other, while also providing them with the tools needed to keep discussions relevant and appropriate, and to teach students digital literacy and netiquette. However, in comparison to other LMS alternatives, it’s gradebook seems to lack the same richness for assessment and feedback. For example, LMS does not offer rubric based assessments that are a necessity in SACE stage 1 and 2 for learning expectation and capability development.

4. Desire to Learn

Similar to most LSM platforms, D2L has a strong focus on personalised and customised learning experiences. The drag-and-drop feature differentiates D2L from other LSM platforms with the teacher menu is completely separated from the course menu. The spreadsheet view in the grade book is particularly helpful, as it allows the teacher to enter and choose how they would like to display the grades all at once. However, D2L does lack additional widgets from the user interface. In comparison to Canvas and Moodle, D2L students may find it more difficult to review, read, follow discussion pages.