A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of electronic educational technology (also called e-learning) education courses or training programs. LMSs range from systems for managing training and educational records to software for distributing online or blended/hybrid college courses over the Internet with features for online collaboration. Colleges, universities, school districts, and schools use LMSs to deliver online courses and augment on-campus courses.

LMS Functionality

  • Course Content Delivery
  • Student Registration and Administration
  • Training Event Management (i.e., scheduling, tracking)
  • Curriculum and Certification Management
  • Skills and Competencies Management
  • Skill Gap Analysis
  • Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • Assessing and resulting
  • Reporting
  • Training Record Management
  • Courseware Authoring
  • Resource Management
  • Virtual Organizations
  • Performance Management System Integration

Typical features are:

  • Course Management, e.g. lists of courses, registration, credit information and syllabus, pre-requisites
  • Teaching Materials, i.e. courseware
  • Self-assessment quizzes
  • Lessons tools: Authoring for contents (structured XML or HTML) and quizzing/testing (e.g. Java Script generators) or alternatively ability to import standard IMS or SCORM packages developed with an external tool (e.g. Dreamweaver).
  • Asynchronous Communication: email, forums
  • Synchronous Communication: chat, whiteboard, teleconferencing,
  • Student tools: Home page, self tests, bookmarks, progress tracking.
  • Student Management Tools: progress tracking, on-line grading (assessment).
  • Learner feedback: course evaluation surveys, test evaluation surveys etc.