Learning Management System/Course Management System
Virtual Learning Environments such as LMS (Learning Management Systems) and CMS (Course Management Systems) are conventional online systems that help faculty and students interact with each other efficiently.
CMS are platforms where the faculty can add classes such that the students can logon and have a very interactive session with the faculty and also the rest of the class that have enrolled in the course. This allows faculty to upload PowerPoint presentations which is required for the class along with other course related documents such as course syllabus and course materials. There is also a discussion board where topics related to the classroom sessions can be posted and the students and faculty can chat on related matters.
On the other hand LMS is used for training purpose by the workforce where there are more facilities than CMS such as tuition payment, classroom enrollment, registration and attendance. The details of a student are linked to an employment database where their track record is updated and can be monitored. Organizations can train their employees in various technical or management areas by utilizing this system.
CMS is used more widely than LMS in Educational Institutions since the institution would already have employed an expensive payroll system and hence CMS is used for education purpose whereas LMS is used for teaching purposes.
Opinion
CMS and LMS are systems used by faculty in institutions to coordinate with students in various levels. At educational level in institutions, I feel it definitely makes life easier for both the faculty and students since they can correspond through discussion forums and emails. But I feel that the assessments must be done in person since the faculty never knows who is taking the tests.
LMS is the system which would help distance learning and accelerate ones learning regardless of geographic locations. I feel that these systems are required for people with special needs and it is necessary that one weighs out the benefits because some facilities of these systems are better in the traditional classroom. An example would be the discussion board in Blackboard, a traditional classroom setting discussion would be more helpful and an active participation can be experienced. Overall I would definitely utilize these online learning systems since it helps and boosts the students performance along with the regular classroom sessions.
Annotated Bibliography
1. Carliner, Saul (2005, November ). Course Management Systems Versus Learning Management Systems. Retrieved January 13, 2008, Web site: http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/nov2005/carliner.htm
Difference between LMS (Learning and Management System) and CMS(Course Management System).
2. Nichani, Maish (2001, May 02). Retrieved January 13, 2008, from elearningpost Web site: http://www.elearningpost.com/articles/archives/lcms_lms_cms_rlos/
Description of LMS (Learning and Management System) and CMS(Course Management System) in layman terms.