Goins Billy LMO Week 1 Reading Activity: Learning Platforms

Introduction

Intelligent commentary requires at minimum, an understanding of the topic being discussed, which is why this article begins by defining learning platforms specifically Learning Management Systems (LMS) / Course Management Systems (CMS). In his introduction, George Piskurich (2003) describes e-learning and related systems as an evolving synthesization of facilitating teaching and learning through technology. In the past, that may have included structured or non-structured learning delivered by a cd-rom, today that may include a web or network based system enhanced by assessment, management, collaborative, and multimedia tools. A simplified list of basic LMS functionalities include web based access, self-contained tools for authoring, administrative, rights management, and authentication features, local accessibility, and a means of interaction/communication (Toedt, 2006). LMS content, delivery, and functions vary greatly and are utilized in academic, business, military, and many other environments.

Valued attributes

A buyers’ guide search for LMS’s from the ELearning Guild yielded 281 results, an advanced web search for LMS’s products and vendors resulted in 28,700. With such an extensive list, it may be surprising to discover that 50% of the LMS market share can be attributed to only six companies (McIntosh, 2010). Published in January 2010, ELearing! Magazine boasted 1,755 nominations for their 5^th Annual:Best of Elearning! Awards issue (Roche, 2010). Across categories voters for the award winning nominees consistently mentioned such attributes as flexibility/customization, collaborative/interactive content, and complete/self-contained product solutions.

Closing

LMS/CMS’s have been evolving for many years. Early computer based training formats were digital equivalents of texts and multiple choice assessments and in effect the learning process was a transfer or gain of information. Today these systems have transformed into a rich immersive learning environment with real time collaborate tools, simulations, customization, and large scale distribution and connectivity.

References

McIntosh, D. (2010). Learning management vendors. Retrieved from http://www.trimeritus.com/vendors.pdf

Piskurich, G. M. (2003). The AMA handbook of e-learning: Effective design, implementation, and technology solutions. NY: AMACOM

Roche, J. (2010). 5^th annual: Best of elearning! Awards issue. Best of Elearning!, 5(6). Retrieved from http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/b2bmediaco/elearning_20101201/

Toedt, A. (2006, February 28). What is a learning management system? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.bazaar.org/content/view/10/25/