Major Tools of an LMS
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Considering communication is one of the most important components of an online course, the LMS must contain features to allow communication to occur both asynchronously and synchronously. An asynchronous discussion area provides a place for students to express their own ideas, form understandings, and add to the knowledge base of other participants. The discussions also provide the teacher with evidence of how each student is thinking about the content and gives the teacher an opportunity to clear up any misconceptions in a timely manner. Synchronous "meeting" session capabilities are a must. Synchronous interactions allow both student and teacher to receive instant feedback. Instant feedback allows any misconceptions to be cleared up immediately. One more point of synchronous interactions is that both parties are able to see facial expressions which help to make personal connections.
Profile function for all users is necessary for all participants in the course. It is far too easy for a person to discount another students' remarks when that student is unknown. A profile helps with getting to know where information is coming from. The teacher should also have a full profile sharing their background so the students/parents are comfortable with the guidance and knowledge the student will be receiving.
A good LMS needs an area where student information can be stored and accessed by students, parents, and teachers. This area should contain student registration information, contact information, student progress, grades and feedback records, attendance, teacher/student/parent communications records, scheduling details, program outline, and financial details including invoices and payments. The Grade book should also have a report function allowing the monitoring of student progress by teachers, students, and parents.
The Course Content area should have a way to include standards/objectives and rubrics. The guidelines are to be used by students, parents and teachers before, during and after each assignment. After the assignment, the rubric becomes the guideline for the teacher to write feedback and score the assignment. There should be a place to make announcements that are noticed immediately upon entering the course. An announcement could be used for any number of purposes, how to handle holidays (perhaps for makeup work), impending deadlines, or future course information.
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