Learning Management Systems (LMS)

What are Learning Management Systems (LMS)? What are Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS)? Are they the same thing? What are and what are they used for?

LMS are different sets of software tools intended to manage the learning process. Most use web-based technologies to plan, implement, and assess learning. The teaching and learning tools provide an instructor with means to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance, and provides learners with the ability to use interactive features such as threaded discussions, video conferencing, and discussion forums. They provide a range of options such as on-line assessment and collaboration. The goals is to manage learning processes by keeping track of progress and performance, communications, as well as perform administrative tasks such as reporting.

In contrast, a learning content management system (LCMS) is the development of LMS that is a multi-user environment that allows learning developers to create, store, reuse, manage, and deliver digital learning content from a single repository. This may include creating and reusing small units or 'chunks' of digital learning content (learning objects). The components of an LCMS are:

• Content authoring and editing
• Learning object repository
• Dynamic delivery interface
• Administration tools

Most systems have the following features:

• Report generation
• Course calendar
• Messaging, collaboration, and planning
• Assessment and scoring
• Blended course delivery
• Flexible course delivery
• Enrollment management
• Integration with performance tracking and management systems
• Planning tools to identify skill gaps
• Curriculum, required and elective training requirements at an individual and organizational level
• Learner grouping

Learning management systems and LCMS tools have many options and there is sometime the sense that we should use all tools available. Remember that the focus of an LMS or LCMS is on learning content and the learner. It gives authors, instructional designers, and subject matter experts the means to create and re-use e-learning content more efficiently.