Learning Management System Review

What is an LMS?

A learning management system (LMS) is comprehensive, integrated software that supports the development, delivery, assessment, and administration of courses in face-to-face, hybrid, and online learning environments.

The LMS helps institutions maintain the integrity of educational programs by centralizing course management and assessment, ensuring security and privacy of student data, and generating analytic reports for the evaluation and improvement of student support.

The LMS enables faculty to efficiently develop and deliver courses that enhance teaching and learning.

What is ASU looking for in an LMS

Governed by detailed core expectations and technical standards, the LMS systems will be evaluated on criteria that analyze course delivery and design, teaching and learning tools, assessments and accessibility. We seek tools that are or showcase:

• cloud hosted
• high availability
• elasticity
• extensibility
• experience
• analytics

Is there an interest in looking into LMS options?

Our research into the LMS market and user base, along with a deeper analysis of existing LMS products during the 2016 Fall and 2017 Spring semesters indicated there were enough changes in the market to prepare an RFP. Surveys conducted with faculty and instructional technologists showed there was no clear LMS favorite.  There was a majority agreement that it was time to look at our options and choose the LMS that will enable and support the mission and goals of Arizona State University.

People

Participants are encouraged from all areas and disciplines at the university.

A Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from the Faculty Senate, EdPlus, the Office of the University Provost, the University Technology Office and the Associated Students of ASU.

A Stakeholders Group comprised of faculty and staff from colleges and units across the university who volunteer to participate in the pilot of the LMS tools, and commit to providing feedback.  Stakeholders provide feedback of the LMS tools and suitability for ASU.

Participants

Pilot Courses
 

The following number of courses were piloted in the two pilot LMS environments:

• Bb SaaS: 6 courses, 11 sections, 338 students
• Canvas: 10 courses, 16 sections, 245 students

Sandbox Courses
 

Stakeholders are faculty and staff who have volunteered to test the new LMS environments and provide feedback.

• Bb SaaS: 36 Sandbox courses
• Canvas 78 Sandbox courses

Test and provide feedback:

Instructors and instructional technologists signed up to join the Stakeholders group, tested, and provided feedback on whether they believed there is value in exploring other LMS options. Opinions were solicited on which LMS platform stakeholders preferred, and there was no clear winner.

Resources

Brown, Malcom, Joanne Dehoney and Nancy Millichap (2015). What’s Next for the LMS?, Educause. Retrieved from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2015/6/whats-next-for-the-lms.

Brown, Malcom, Joanne Dehoney and Nancy Millichap (2015). The Next Generation Digital Learning Environment: A Report on Research, Educause Learning Initiative. Retrieved from https://library.educause.edu/resources/2015/4/the-next-generation-digital-learning-environment-a-report-on-research.

Cavanaugh, Thomas B. (2014). The LMS Selection Process: Practices and Considerations. Retrieved from https://library.educause.edu/resources/2014/7/the-lms-selection-process-practices-and-considerations.

LMS Evaluations Checklist (2014), University of Central Florida. Retrieved from https://online.ucf.edu/about/lms-migration/lms-evaluation-checklist/.

Schmoller, Seb (2104). Selecting a Learning Management System: Advice from an Academic Perspective, Educause Review. Retrieved from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2014/4/selecting-a-learning-management-system-advice-from-an-academic-perspective.