UNIT 8 REFLECTION

Overview

Selecting a Learning Management System (LMS) is one of the most critical decisions for any educational institution or training environment. The last module provided me deeper understanding of how benchmarking systems support informed decision-making in this process. Benchmarking offers a structured, objective way to compare LMS platforms based on standardized criteria such as user experience, integration capabilities, analytics tools, mobile accessibility, support services, and instructional flexibility. This approach allows institutions to move beyond surface-level features and assess how well each platform aligns with their specific goals and user needs.

After evaluating several LMS options using a benchmarking system, I chose Canvas as my platform of choice for my presentation. Canvas stood out for its intuitive user interface, strong mobile functionality, robust third-party integration support, and consistent improvements driven by user feedback. Compared to other platforms like Blackboard and Microsoft Teams, Canvas provides a better balance between ease of use and advanced functionality, making it an ideal solution for both instructors and learners.

Reflection on Impact and Future Practice

What I learned in this course will significantly impact how I approach technology decisions and project implementation moving forward. Rather than choosing tools based on popularity, brand familiarity, or limited anecdotal input, I now see the importance of using data-informed comparisons and benchmarking metrics. For example, before committing to a platform, I’ll prioritize creating a clear list of organizational needs and compare those to quantifiable performance indicators across systems.

This shift in mindset will also change how I lead discussions around tech adoption with colleagues. I plan to introduce benchmarking as a collaborative tool, involving key stakeholders in the evaluation process so that their specific needs (faculty, administrators, and students) are represented and considered from the start.

Lessons from the Past

Reflecting on previous experiences, I now realize that some projects failed or underperformed because key benchmarking principles were overlooked. For instance, in a past role, we adopted a digital learning platform primarily based on a recommendation from a partnering department, without a structured comparison of alternatives. The chosen platform lacked sufficient analytics capabilities and mobile access, which led to low engagement and inconsistent tracking of learner progress. Had we used a benchmarking outline, those shortcomings would have been identified early, and we could have selected a better-suited option.

Conclusion

The use of benchmarking tools when evaluating LMS platforms has fundamentally changed how I approach instructional technology decisions. Canvas emerged as the clear choice for my needs, thanks to its flexibility, user-centered design, and ability to support a wide range of learning environments. Going forward, I will not only apply these principles to future platform selections but also advocate for a culture of evidence-based decision-making within my organization. By learning from past missteps and grounding future choices in objective evaluation, I’m better positioned to support effective, scalable, and learner-centered educational experiences.