Foundation Skills/What is a Learning Management System (LMS) and why use it/What is an LMS?

What is an LMS?
First of all, there are many alternative names for a learning management system (LMS). These include, but is not limited to, course management system (CMS) and virtual learning environment (VLE).

What exactly is an LMS? The literature and the Internet both provide a range of definitions, but I've chosen the following definition by Outten:


 * "A course-based system that enables participants to communicate and collaborate, access activities and resources, meanwhile being tracked, assessed and reported on via the Web."

Examples of an LMS are: Moodle and Blackboard.


 * How do you currently communicate with your students and facilitate their collaborative activities?
 * Are your course resources and activities easily accessible?
 * And how do you currently assess student learning, keep track of their progress and report on their activity?

An LMS can make all of these tasks easier.