Syllabus

EDTEC 596: Ins and Outs of Learning Management Systems

San Diego State University: Educational Technology: Distance Education

Course Description

EDTEC 596, Ins and Outs of Learning Management Systems will introduce you to software platforms that are commonly used in eLearning, distance education and online training. Instructional design models applied to using these tools in corporate training and performance development, developing lessons in K-12 schools and creating courses in higher education are presented and discussed and are implemented in hands-on projects. Furthermore, this course will demonstrate the differences between learning management systems, learning content management systems, and integrated media platform systems and will specify their appropriate use.

Goals

This course will enable you to gain a broad understanding of the different learning management systems, learning content management systems, and integrated multimedia learning platforms. It will allow you to speak informatively about the world of distance education and how different platforms are used in eLearning, distance education and online training. In addition, you will experience using different software platforms and reach your own conclusions about the benefits and drawbacks of the systems.

Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Integrate instructional design models to eLearning, distance education and online training
• Differentiate between static models of instructional design and dynamic designs based on dialog and building learning communities.
• Compare and contrast synchronous and asynchronous learning
• Use basic functions of an LMS, LCMS or IMMS (integrated multimedia management system)
• Utilize different tools within the design & delivery of online training, eLearning and distance courses
• Evaluate different types of communication among students in online, eLearning, & distance courses within different software platforms
• Differentiate between Learning Management Systems, Content Management Systems, Learning Content Management Systems, and integrated multimedia systems
• Select an appropriate platform for a particular learning, training or performance development system
• Determine the benefits and drawbacks of different learning/content management systems and other distance learning platforms

Technology Requirements

Some students will take this course at a distance through the College of Extended Studies. These students must have access to the following technologies for the successful completion of this course at a distance:

• A personal computer with at least 1.0 GHz speed, 250 Mb RAM, 80 GB hard drive, an audio board, and Ethernet enabled.
• A Microphone.
• A video camera compatible to the computer used for the course.
• Firefox or Internet Explorer web browser (latest version).
• Flash Player.
• Access to high speed Internet without the interference of an enterprise firewall.

Wimba Requirements

All course lectures will be held in Wimba. To access Wimba go to the SDSU Blackboard website and type in your username and password. If you have never accessed the Blackboard system, please follow the instructions on the Logging onto Blackboard Help Site.

Once you have logged into the Blackboard site, click on the appropriate link for EDTEC 700: Ins and Outs of Learning Management Systems.

Description of Major Deliverables

LMS Comparison

• Part of this will be completed during class, but may need to be finished after class.
• Go to Edu Tools. This web site allows you to compare different learning management systems used in higher education and other organizations.
• Choose at least five platforms to compare and click Product Comparison at the bottom of the page.
• Look at the various features of each and answer the following questions about each platform you chose:
  • What types of communication methods are available on this platform?
    • Only asynchronous
    • Both asynchronous & synchronous
    • Instant messaging
    • Sound capabilities
    • Video capabilities
  • How can you organize the content on the platform?
    • Versioning
  • What type of interface design does it use?
    • Simple or complex
    • Intuitive for both administrator & learner
    • Backend easy to use
  • What capabilities does this platform have?
    • Assigning courses
    • Simply a communication platform
    • Creating content on the platform (authoring tool)
  • What did you like and dislike about this platform from an administrator’s perspective?
  • What did you like and dislike about this platform from a learner’s perspective?
  • How would you use this platform? Who else could you see using this platform: government, corporations, higher education, K-12 education?
• Post a brief summary (at least 200 words per platform) about each platform you chose on the discussion forum.

Moodle Project

• Read the Moodle Getting Started for Teachers Guide.
• Create a blank course.
• Set up a short course in Moodle, including:
  • 1 syllabus, including:
    • Course description
    • Grading scheme
    • Agenda
  • 3 modules or class sessions, including:
    • Objectives for that session
    • 1 Learning activity (Ex: Forum, Wiki, etc.)
    • 1 Deliverable
  • Include the following in the course:
    • 1 Collaborative interaction
    • 1 Quiz
    • 1 Resource