LMS of the Future: Smith

It is easy to see that a LMS of the future could be, indeed, called an Educational Management System (EMS). As colleges and universities around the world contemplate delivery of coursework and instruction, a content-driven, user-autonomous online system will not only streamline authentic learning, but lessen the demands on budgets. A LMS of the future can hold many facets to improve student and instructional performance. Here are some ideas to ensure success in the design of the LMS of the future.

1. Provide a tutorial on how to learn asynchronously. Being a distance education student does not always come easy for everyone. Learning how to use the distance tools as well as time management is important to understand.

2. Set clear standards for coursework objectives and deliverables. Staff and students need to be aware of what they are being asked to complete, when to get it done, and why this is important.

3. Collaboration with other institutions and models. The ability to conduct reserach and apply research and development approaches globally may dismantle colleges and programs as we know it, but can be beneficial to solving the world’s problems today.

4. Integrated database. Stakeholders, administration, teachers, and students should all have different access to the same integrated system for ease of use and consistency.

5. Dialogue. Students should be able to receive dynamic interaction with their instructors and with each other. A balance of transactional distance can ensure that students are able to interact while still building on their autonomy throughout their coursework. We do not learn in a vacume.

6. Adaptive control. Both teachers and students should have control of different components of the LMS. Instructors should be able to control users and content delivery. Students should be able to control how and with whom they communicate and the content/resources they access.

7. Mobile learning. As the human race turns more and more toward mobile devices, the LMS of the future should incorporate ubiquitous learning.

In many ways, SDSU EDTEC program is exemplifying these models into its coursework.