2. LMS / CMS

My LMS Journey

I've used a few LMS or CMS systems over the past 12 years.  I don’t like to use the term CMS for course management system, as CMS is used in the computer industry as Content Management System.

 My first LMS with FirstClass in a distance education program at U of A back in 1999.  It had its affordances but was primarily a document repository, email, forum post and chat tool.  Later I was involved with the early version of WebCT.  I was a student in a online class and found the tool difficult and was a barrier for many students in that class back then.  In 2004, I had a look at Moodle.  This LMS is open source (OS) which allowed me to install and control the functionality at a greater level than past LMS's.  I found Moodle very user friendly and robust.  I started using is in my classes in a blended format in 2005 and the feedback from the students was very positive.  I continued to develop new ways to integrate Moodle into my practice.  As an OS plateform, I was able to explore without restrictions from the software developers or my institution. 

I register a few internet domains and start building courses for myself and other faculty in my area.  The first site was called, www.DrMoodle.com.  I created 16 department courses and helped the faculty use it in their courses.  It was a blended model that helped support the F2F delivery.

My second site was MsMoodle.com.  This site was developed to provide students with an Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) or what I like to call, an Automated Learning Environment (ALE).  The idea is to create learning objects that relive the instructor from most repetitive educational tasks.  This is done by recording the lectures and warehousing them at Youtube.com.  The assignments are posted and are evaluated as a pass/fail system.  The assessments are a variety of testing questions styles.  Students can self pace themselves through the course.  There is very little management on the part of the instructor.  This LMS was design to accommodate Mass Open Online Course or (MOOC).  The subject matter used in the LMS is an essential skill required by most people-using computers for personal or business, so the topic has a global appeal.  My current Moodle project is www.MoodleU.com.  This is my personal ePortfolio system that I re-purposed Moodle to show case my M.Ed. experience.

I find many systems can be re- purposed to do different things. I see all LMS’s software on the market today, have similar functions, just in a different look, feel and cost.  Selecting the right one is the key.  There are many systems that do the same thing.  For example, I was looking for a tool that accommodated several online needs in one place.  I needed a tool that could design a web site, LMS, CMS, student ePortfolio, student blogging, and social collaboration affordances.  I found that Moodle has all these functions, the Swiss army knife I was looking for.  There are developers around the world that create add-on or modules for Moodle.  This provides additional credibility to the tool and reduces obsolescence.  Arguably, Moodle is not the number 1 system for all these needs.  This provides the advantage that an institution doesn’t have to incorporate several different software system in for each requirement.  Point in case, Athabasca uses elgg as their social blogging tool, when Moodle have similar functionality.  The problem is that students have 2-authentication systems and 2 different software tools to learn.  

Just a few thoughts about LMS’s