25 Understanding Learning Management Systems
Learning Objectives
By completing this section, you can:
- Identify essential knowledge about your school’s learning management system.
- Access your school’s learning management system.
- Examples include Blackboard and Microsoft Suite applications
- Access your student account website.
LMS stands for Learning Management System. There are numerous LMS platforms that your post-secondary school may use, so it is important to familiarize yourself with how to access and engage with the platform or application utilized by your school.
Some popular LMS systems consist of Blackboard Inc., Moodle, Sakai, Canvas by Instructure, and the Microsoft Suite applications.
Blackboard
Blackboard Learn
Blackboard Learn is a course management system that allows your instructors to provide course-based content in a central location. It can have course content, syllabuses, discussion boards, contact information, and provide grades in an electronic format.
For help navigating the platform, here is Blackboard Learn – Help for Students. Or, take a look at some of the helpful YouTube tutorials below.
Blackboard Collaborate
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Blackboard App
The Blackboard app is designed especially for students to view content and participate in courses. The current version of the app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.
Microsoft Suite Applications
General Applications
Microsoft Suite or Microsoft 365 consists of multiple software programs that help with productivity. It includes applications that you may be familiar with, such as:
- Microsoft Word, a word processing tool;
- Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet program;
- Microsoft PowerPoint, used for creating interactive presentations;
- Microsoft Outlook, used for email and calendar management;
- Microsoft Access, a database management program; and
- Microsoft OneNote, a note-taking application.
Here is a quick video that highlights the Microsoft applications you may need to use for your academics:
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration application that lets your team or class stay organized and have conversations all in one place. With the shift to online learning and work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many instructors utilize the Teams application to hold synchronous classes. You can use the application to connect with your peers and professor.
This quick video introduces Teams and provides some helpful information about navigating the application:
Microsoft Applications Integration with Teams
How to use Learning Management Systems to Your Benefit
Chapter Progress
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.
(Source: Wikipedia)
