May 27, 2022
How to get the most out of your LMS tool
Technology in educational institutions provides teachers with more tools and resources to support students. Complimentary to resources like textbooks and worksheets, technology equips educators with various tools that optimize the learning experience of modern students.
The use of technology fosters learner engagement for learners. Integrating simple technologies like educational video games, PowerPoints, Internet homework assignments, or online grading systems can make a difference in student performance in the classroom.
A learning management system (LMS) is a powerful tool that provides teachers, parents, and students with a nexus of information. Not everyone is tech-savvy, and the learning curve to get the most out of your LMS tool can be steep. In this article we enumerate some of the benefits you can enjoy with this learning management software.
What is an LMS and how is it used?
A learning management system (LMS) is a web application that is used by educational institutions to deliver pedagogical material more efficiently and cost-effectively. LMS are designed to help with all aspects of training, including course creation, student registration, progress tracking, reporting, etc.
Some cloud-based LMS platforms run on the Internet, meaning training courses can be accessed anywhere there's a connection. They also provide tools for instructors to create assessments and track student progress through the course material. Learner engagement can also be measured with ease, as teachers have access to a wealth of data that shows the activity of each student on the online learning platform.
LMS provide instant access to information, which is why its presence in the classroom is becoming increasingly common. Computers, smartphones, and tablets are presently an omnipresent element of everyday life for students, parents, and teachers.
What are the benefits of using LMS platforms?
Having a single, well-managed educational database streamlines the learning experience for all students. On LMS platforms, students can view assessments, upload assignments, and monitor due dates. It also makes it easy for instructors to distribute resources to students.
Teachers can finally optimize their class time by limiting the administrative work and the disruption paper passing entails. Focus is easily lost in a classroom, and LMS makes it possible to keep the learning locomotive going. LMS platforms also facilitate communication between educational institutions and parents. The days of passing notes and finding out last-minute information are over; the LMS solution has resolved that issue.
Top 5 benefits of using LMS Platforms
- Accessibility
- Affordability
- Customization
- Centralized learning experience
- Student progress tracking
1. Accessibility
Cloud-based LMS are accessible anywhere for all its users. Once you upload pedagogical course materials onto the LMS and publish them, students have unlimited access to the information they need. Even those who are on the go can log in to the online learning platform via their smartphones and tablets.
2. Affordability
An LMS, either for educational institutions or for individual purposes, is rather cheap for all the time management and saving it provides. Schools no longer have to worry about paper costs as LMS solutions make it possible to digitize the classroom.
3. Customization
Digital planners since have customizable features. Educational institutions who invest in an LMS service even have the liberty to change the colors of the app.
LMS are:
- Easy to use, and they can be customized to studying preferences;
- Always up to date, which means that you will always be able to see what your child or student needs to do next and when;
- Digital planners that work across devices and synchronize their data;
- Resourceful as they possess a range of different functions and add-ons that can enhance any student’s academic and personal life.
4. Centralized learning experience
Instead of having your educational courses' content spread out over different hard drives and devices, LMS can store all of your online learning materials in one location. This reduces the risk of losing important data and makes it easier to create an optimized learning experience for students. Plus, anyone who has access to the LMS can consult the information if you’re using a cloud-based LMS since all the data is stored on a remote server.
5. Track student process
The best LMS track student progress. For example, if a student is not able to successfully complete an online learning assignment, you can offer them supplemental resources to improve their performance. Most LMS feature analytics and reporting tools that allow teachers to pinpoint areas of their online educational courses that may be improved to make learner engagement optimal.
Forming good habits for students
10 tips to make the most out of your LMS
1. Get to know the system first
Learning management systems aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, so take some time to learn about the features and functionality offered by your LMS before you dive in and start using it.
This can help you determine whether the learning management software is right for your needs.
2. Integrate it with other tools
Some learning management systems come with built-in integrations that allow you to connect them with other tools such as chat apps, file storage services, and more.
3. Build out your educational courses
While many LMS come with prebuilt courses designed for specific topics and audiences, there's no reason you can't build your content from scratch and use it in your educational institution’s online learning platform.
4. Make your content fun and engaging
This doesn't mean that you should throw in some clips from YouTube or some cheesy photos. Instead, you should use the LMS to make the learning experience more interactive. To do this, you can include quizzes, polls, educational videos, and other multimedia elements.
5. Listen to your audience
If you're using an online learning platform like Moodle or Blackboard, there will be a discussion board for each course where students can post feedback about their experiences with the course materials or any problems they're having with them.
6. Use gamification techniques
Gamification is an excellent way of keeping learners engaged with your LMS by adding elements of competition and reward into their learning experience.
7. Be proactive in providing support
If students or faculty members need help with the learning management software, there must be a pre-established procedure. You should have a straightforward process to respond to these requests and identify who can best handle each one. This will save time and reduce frustration for everyone involved.
8. Be vigilant about testing and debugging
It's essential to make sure that any issues with the LMS are identified and resolved before they affect users. This is especially true when new features are added or changes are made to existing ones. The integration of an LMS sometimes requires some troubleshooting, and this should be expected with technology.
9. Integrate social learning
An LMS makes it easy to integrate social learning into curriculums. Since the LMS is already online, you can include links to Facebook and Twitter pages, and pedagogical online forums that may be beneficial for students.
10. Consult peers
Educational institutions where teachers gather together to share their tricks increase the average technological competence of educators. Whether it be online or at school, the transfer of knowledge and teaching resources drastically improves the online learning experience a LMS can offer.
How to get homework done quickly
The best student planner
Students succeed when they have a clear path. Studyo’s digital planner includes features like progress tracking, customizable layouts, and step-by-step task breakdowns, making it easy to stay organized and plan out schoolwork. With Studyo, students can come to every class prepared to learn.