Learning Management System (LMS)

This week I researched the learning management systems for the capstone project. While there are many LMS options available, not all LMSs are alike. To select an LMS for my capstone course, I looked into the highly reviewed ones including Canvas, TalentLMS, Rise.com, Moodle, and Adobe Learning Manager to identify the main elements best suited to deliver the course. 

Elements on TalentLMS and how they support the course

I selected TalentLMS for its reputation for user-friendliness. It sits third of the best LMSs based on user experience in 2022 according to eLearning Industry's research (eLearning Industry, 2022). Among many TalentLMS features, the elements I plan to use include:

1. Conferences - TalentLMS makes all information about upcoming Instructor-led Training (ILS) sessions on the learner's view page. To set up and run the weekly check-in right from the LMS. It supports real-time chat and a virtual whiteboard. It also integrates with popular video conference tools such as Zoom and GoToMeeting.

2. Microlearning - When learners want to access the content on the go, the LMS interface is responsive seamlessly. Learners can switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile phone, and the progress is automatically synced through iOS and Android apps.

3. Accessibility - When the course is downloaded, it's available offline on the device. In addition, 20 languages are supported.

4. Gamification - Using game-like elements, a form of data visualization with points, scores, and badges is proven to increase engagement which results in desired performance and behavior. 

5. Reports sharing -  1) Admin can schedule and email selected report categories in Excel format to preferred recipients automatically. Good for the course creation team to track the report regularly.  2) Admin can create custom infographic reports. It produces an overview of the course data in a highly visual format. Good for the impact report for stakeholders.

Elements on Canvas and how they support the course

After two weeks, I was a bit disappointed with the functional limits on the evaluation and quiz in TalentLMS. And I wanted to compare the features that Canvas offers. This is in progress research on comparing both LMS.

1. Conferences 

2. Microlearning

3. Accessibility 

4. Gamification

5. Reports sharing

What is the learning experience? 

Technologies have dramatically diversified ways of learning. While listening to a lecture and reading books remain in the realm of pedagogy, the conception of how, when, and where of learning is shifting. 

"Learning experience refers to any interaction, course, program, or other experience in which learning takes place, whether it occurs in traditional academic settings (schools, classrooms) or nontraditional settings (outside-of-school locations, outdoor environments), or whether it includes traditional educational interactions (students learning from teachers and professors) or nontraditional interactions (students learning through games and interactive software applications).  Because students may learn in a wide variety of settings and ways, the term is often used as a more accurate, preferred, or inclusive alternative to terms such as course, for example, that have more limited or conventional connotations. Learning experience may also be used to underscore or reinforce the goal of an educational interaction—learning—rather than its location (school, classroom) or format (course, program)." (The Glossary of Education Reform, 2013).

What learning experience learners can expect in the capstone course

1. Navigating interactive eLearning - The course is authored with Rise 360, exported as SCORM1.2, and delivered on Canvas. Learners can navigate the learning platform smoothly whether they access it by desktop/laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. Automatic syncing between devices makes it easy to stay on top of the progress.

2. Discussions and questions - Learners can post discussions for activities and questions on the Padlet discussion board. Feedback from facilitators and peers promotes social learning and helps learners expand their perspectives (TalentLMS, 2021). Currently, TalentLMS doesn't have reporting features associated with social learning, but Adobe Learning Manager seems to have more functions which data and reports can be extracted from (Adobe, 2022).

3. Weekly cohort check-in over video conference - A facilitator assists a group of learners to discuss the topic of the week. Learners can get to know each other at a more personal level and this creates a sense of a supportive cohort.

In 300x, I researched accessibility on digital media weekly. Here in 400x, I continue to do so when it's applicable. 

LMS is an entrance point for the course thus its interface and capabilities need to address accessibility. Major LMS vendors worked on increasing the accessibility of their products and the details are shown on their websites.

Canvas accessibility evaluation, Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)

TalentLMS accessibility

Rise.com

Moodle accessibility

Adobe Learning Manager

Spoodle

A lighter, stand-alone, locally accessible version of Moodle works without the Internet. Spoodle runs directly from a flash drive, and can load course material and all the related Moodle activities and resources along with it. The solution is handy when accessing learning resources. However, the social aspect of Moodle (forum) cannot be achieved without an Internet connection (FAO, 2022,).