Learning management systems and their impact on academic work (original) (raw)

The learning management system: Variables that determine its use

Apertura, 2019

Teachers consider the Virtual Learning Environment a technological tool with strong didactic potential. This perception is validated by the frequency of its use both in technical and didactic spheres, which frequently interweave with each other. The main assumption of our research is that those technical and pedagogical competences of the digital tools have promoted the use of the Virtual Learning Environment (AVA) in class causing a change of the methodology used as a result. The study is a non-experimental one but an ex post facto with non-probabilistic sampling. The survey was carried out on a population of 640 teachers of a professional technical higher education institution in Chile. The results showed that, in order to incorporate digital tools into their educational practice, teachers should emphasize the didactic domain of those devices over the technical ones. In conclusion, it has been highlighted that the teaching staff uses AVA mainly to accomplish administrative tasks to the detriment of the didactic use.

Prospects and Challenges of Learning Management Systems in Higher Education

International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications

Many higher education institutions nowadays are equipped with Learning Management Systems (LMS) to provide rich online learning solutions and utilize its functions and capabilities to improve the learning practices. The current study aims to gain instructors' perspective of LMS, investigate the use of its functions, and identify the barriers that may influence LMS utilization at the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST). This research aims to examine current practices, opinions, and challenges that help academicians and system developers contribute to better learning practices and academic achievement. The study used a quantitative method that included a sample of 58 faculty members. Findings obtained from the questionnaire indicated that instructors were generally comfortable and had positive perceptions about LMS Moodle. The results revealed that LMS's administrative functions, such as files and announcements, are widely used compared to the advanced interactive learning activities. Moreover, LMS's use on mobile devices is infrequent, and more emphasis must be placed on using LMS friendly user interfaces that can enable all tools and functions to use LMS.

Emerging Technologies in Higher Education: Is it All About Learning Management Systems

Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2014

A lot is being invested in the use of emerging technologies which encompass web-based technologies like Learning Management Systems (Blackboard or Moodle) for teaching and learning in Higher Education institutions across South Africa. The question to ask is, "Are Learning Management Systems the only technology available" to enhance teaching and learning. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether LMS usage has an added advantage in the Higher Education environment as opposed to other technologies like wiki's, blogs, facebook, twitter and Google drive. This paper investigates the enablers and constraints of the lecturers that use an LMS called Blackboard, as opposed to those that use other technologies. A social realist perspective was used to understand the agential influences, structural or cultural in the use of Blackboard's and other technologies. This study could be described as being located within an interpretive paradigm employing qualitative data collection methods as a form of inquiry. An open ended questionnaire was distributed to thirty seven lecturers who use different types of technologies to enhance their teaching and students' learning. Data was analysed into themes that align to the research questions on the survey. Lecturers felt positive about their current use of Blackboard and the support given and felt that it will be beneficial to their teaching and learning practices if other technologies received the same support. This paper recommends that the use of technologies like blogs, wikis and facebook..... creates profound learning experiences that enhance the classroom environment.

Factors affecting the use and non-use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) by academic staff

South African Computer Journal, 2017

The purpose of this research was to identify the factors that affect the use and non-use of a Learning Management System (LMS) by lecturers in a South African university. This research involved a qualitative case study of lecturers, and utilised questionnaires for data collection. Findings showed that both internal and external factors are important in shaping use of LMS. Contrary to the literature, high levels of use were found amongst the respondents with a high perception of ease of use and usefulness. However, due to issues such as lack of ongoing training, more advanced features of the technology were not being utilised. It also emerged that patterns of use were affected by pre-existing practices and that the perception of the system was affected by differences to the previous system. This study contributed to literature by providing in-depth analysis of why certain factors affect lectures' decision regarding LMS usage. Future research should consider the use of extended features of LMSs and the prior practices and systems used within the context of study to understand how they affect use or non-use of an LMS. This study contributes to practice through promoting understanding of why there is underuse of extended features of an LMS among lecturers.

Academic and student use of a learning management system: Implications for quality

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2008

Many higher education institutions have implemented a learning management system (LMS) to manage online learning and teaching, with varying levels of support provided to staff and students, but often there is little subsequent investigation into the quality of the online sites or the use made of the support structures provided. This paper presents findings from an institutional survey investigating the use of WebCT by academic staff and students in their learning and teaching at a large Australian university. It was expected that student feedback would relate to technical and infrastructure issues, but instead, the survey elicited responses primarily on how WebCT was used in teaching and learning, indicating that quality control is a major issue for the University. Student opinions appear to reflect more the use of the technology made by teaching staff-students who have experienced a well-designed unit rich with resources, timely feedback and good interaction with staff reported a positive experience with the technology. Staff responses are more focused on the technical and administrative aspects of using WebCT rather than teaching issues. The findings in this paper have implications for quality teaching and learning with technology, and the way in which tertiary institutions support academic staff.

Investigating Perceptions and Uses of Learning Management Systems: Saving Time or Innovating Practice?

Annual Meeting of the American …, 2008

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are web-based systems that allow instructors and/or students to share materials, submit and return assignments, and communicate online. In this study, we explored the uses and perceived benefits of using a LMS as reported by instructors and students at a large Midwestern university. We examined three years of survey data focusing on specific uses of the LMS that emphasized either efficient communication or interactive teaching and learning practices. We matched aggregate user log data with corresponding survey items to see if system use was consistent with patterns seen in the survey results. Findings suggest that instructors and students value tools for efficient communication over interactive tools for innovating existing practices. However, survey item analysis reveals that instructors and students also highly value teaching and learning tools within the LMS.

Saving time or innovating practice: Investigating perceptions and uses of Learning Management Systems

Computers & Education, 2009

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are web-based systems that allow instructors and/or students to share materials, submit and return assignments, and communicate online. In this study, we explored the uses and perceived benefits of using a LMS to support traditional classroom teaching as reported by instructors and students at a large American Midwestern university. We examined two years of survey data focusing on specific uses of the LMS that emphasized either efficient communication or interactive teaching and learning practices. We matched aggregate user log data with corresponding survey items to see if system use was consistent with patterns seen in the survey results. Findings suggest that instructors and students value tools and activities for efficient communication more than interactive tools for innovating existing practices. However, survey item analysis reveals that instructors and students also highly value the teaching and learning tools within the LMS.

The Future of the Learning Management System in the Virtual University

Technology-Enhanced Learning and the Virtual University, 2023

The single system model of an LMS, reflecting a relatively passive use of digital technologies, is increasingly out of step in the rapidly evolving global higher education environment. This proposes a model that moves from a single systems conception of the LMS to one informed by concepts of learning ecosystems and platforms. We define the LMS and the scope of its functions in order to frame how it might evolve in the future. A conception of the LMS as a learning platform is presented drawing on the successful models used by large Internet companies to provide an infrastructure designed to support change through innovation at the boundary while also ensuring it remains manageable at its core and operates in a way that is aligned to the strategic objectives of the university.

A critical examination of the effects of learning management systems on university teaching and learning

Tertiary Education and Management, 2005

The rapid uptake of campus-wide Learning Management Systems (LMS) is changing the character of the on-campus learning experience. The trend towards LMS as an adjunct to traditional learning modes has been the subject of little research beyond technical analyses of alternative software systems. Drawing on Australian experience, this paper presents a broad, critical examination of the potential impact of these online systems on teaching and learning in universities. It discusses in particular the possible effects of LMS on teaching practices, on student engagement, on the nature of academic work and on the control over academic knowledge.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) and e-learning management: an integrative review and research agenda

Journal of Information Systems and Technology Management, 2015

Information Technology (IT) can be an important component for innovation as enables e-learning and it can provide conditions for an organization to be able to work with new businesses and improved processes. In this regard, Learning Management Systems (LMS) allow communication and interaction between teachers and students in virtual spaces. However, the literature indicates that there are gaps in research, especially concerning the use of IT for the management of e-learning. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the available literature about the application of LMS for the e-learning management, seeking to present possibilities for research in the field. An integrative literature review was performed considering the Web of Science, Scopus, Ebsco and Scielo databases, where 78 references were found, of which 25 were full papers. By eliminating duplication, 14 papers remained, which came to constitute the portfolio of the study. The analysis of the papers allowed to conclude that: 1) the most frequent research strategy was the quantitative; 2) survey was the most used research design; 3) the most frequent categories in the studied educational platforms belong to Instructional Resources and the less frequently ones belong to Interface and, 4) most of the studies are related to administrative function control; 5) LMS in e-learning management is still incipiently discussed in the literature. This analysis derives interesting characteristics from scientific studies, highlighting gaps and guidelines for future research, including