Course Management Systems

I have been taking online classes at the college level for the last 5+ years.

I first started with an application that isn't even available anymore. Then moved to using the Angel network. I have now taken classes with angel, e-campus, blackboard and others. I have done professional development with a variety of other learning applications that are out there.

I think to this point I like e-campus the most.

A course management system is a platform where someone is able to post, save, and develop components of content for a wide variety of people to use in their search for greater knowledge.

These systems can be used alone, or along side or in conjuntction with in person learning. All of these aspects needto be taken into account prior to creating the course.

Here is a site, where you can choose a number of different platforms and review them side by side! http://www.edutools.info/item_list.jsp?pj=8

The Course Management System is where you controle, and present the content.

A Learning Management System is a platform, where you can also take attendance, view how often someone is online, see online test results to name only a few of what can be accomplished with a Learning Management System.

I like most of those that I have used. I have come to find that the difference in the classes, is in direct relation to the instructor for each class.

A bad or inferior class is not always the direct result from the instructor. There are those courses that are developed by a course creator, or team and the instructor can only deliver the content and manage what has been made available to them.

I think that the more the instructor is invested in the course the better the course works as an overall learning experience for all students.

Students have to be a different kind of individual from what many people think of when they think of a student in a class. They do not sit in a room and listen to a lecture, they must be self motivated and very disciplined to ensure that they are doing everything needed to gain all the learning that is available to them not only within the course and material stored on the platform, but I believe on the web as a whole!

As far as all of the different technology that we have been introduced to have explored in this course I think that if you use and incorporate many of them together you can present a class online without the use of a course management system.

I do believe that the use of the system is easier to use, especially for someone who is not computer, internet friendly.

I also want to mention that online learning, with or without the use of a course management, or learning management system is NOT for everyone. There are those who will struggle with learning in this manner. There are those that need to have the human factor.

But for many this form of gaining knowledge is the wisest choice for them, either because of limited, or restricted time. Because of their travel schedule, work or home life that would make it hard for them to go to a traditional school and classroom setting to gain their knowledge.

I absolutely love online learning! I have spent upwards of 100 course hours online to date and am looking at applying for admission to another graduate degree program for administration in education.

So as I continue my education online, I also want to wish anyone else Good Luck on continuing their education weather it be online or off!