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What's the difference between a CMS and an LMS? Does your class need one, or both? Find out in our handy guide.
The educational atmosphere has pivoted tremendously in the last few years with the rise in online courses, distance learning, and hybrid classrooms. As educational technology transforms learning experiences, administrators, professors, and students all benefit. A quality Learning Management System makes a course more streamlined for professors and more accessible for students.
A Learning Management System (LMS) is either web-based technology or a software application that educators can use to plan, create, deliver, manage and assess e-learning. Schools use LMSs to help manage EdTech and online learning, as an LMS is essentially the "house" for the learning content. There are two primary components to an LMS. The server performs the basic functionality while educators and students operate the user interface.
A learning management system is essentially a large vault for storing and tracking information. If it is web-based, users will need a secure login and password to access the system and available resources. If the LMS is self-hosted, a company or school will install the software on their hard drive.
There are different types of LMS options available:
Cloud-Based LMS: hosted in the cloud and are typically software as a service (SaaS). The LMS vendor will generally maintain your system and perform updates. Online users can easily access the LMS from anywhere with their login credentials.
Mobile Application LMS: accessible through mobile devices and support mobile learning from anywhere at any time
Self-Hosted LMS: downloaded by the user; may provide additional control, but must be maintained by the user, and updates are usually at a premium
Desktop Application: installed on a desktop but may potentially be accessed on multiple devices
Learning Management Systems have a wide variety of uses. Businesses may use them for knowledge management, employee training and onboarding, or employee development and retention for continued learning. Some learning management systems are explicitly designed to train customers, such as using extensive software technology.
In the educational sphere, LMSs are used by K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for various purposes. They make it possible for distance learning, hybrid classrooms, blended learning models, and online courses to be successful.
In short, an LMS is used to make the delivery of course content easier. As a professor, if you use a learning management system, you can create a more customized course and deliver content in various ways. You will also be better able to monitor student participation and performance. From the student's perspective, an LMS gives them a more personalized learning experience. Whether required or only encouraged, students can participate in video conferencing and discussion forums and use other interactive features to engage with course material and peers.
There are many different elements that an LMS needs to be successful for all users. Some key features to look for include:
When it comes to the classroom, Classavo offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Professors have the opportunity to create courses that are tailored to their teaching style and their student's needs.
Customization
Classavo allows instructors to integrate open education resources, customize textbooks and resources, or add interactive elements like videos and photos. For professors in fast-changing fields, the ability to efficiently update course content is crucial. You will easily be able to create assignments, quizzes, and exams. You can create custom assignments each time or upload previous questions. Classavo supports multiple-choice, short answers, and more.
Analytics
Clasavo's analytics are data-driven. You will be able to assess student engagement, which is critical for adjusting and improving your teaching approach and interactive course elements. You can quickly see how your students are performing throughout the semester. At the end of the semester, you will find that Classavo integrates with most schools' LMSs, meaning you can seamlessly import and export grades at the end of the term. The live polling option allows students to offer feedback, making you more attuned to their needs. While you can see who participates in your pools, specific feedback remains anonymous, making students more likely to participate.
Administration
The right tools will reduce your administration tasks and simplify your job. Instructors will find that they can easily track attendance with unique codes and geolocation tools. The security measures for exams prevent cheating, and you can monitor students' exams with timers and proctoring. Classavo is easily accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones, which means you can work from anywhere, even if you're on the go.
The right learning management system can improve your teaching experience, reduce administrative work, and improve student engagement and retention. Classavo is free for professors, and you can get started with a demo today. So contact us to get started and see how you can quickly transform your teaching experience.
