The development of e-learning would not be possible without advanced tools. Many of them cover learning management and focus on providing the right environment for distance learning. LMS platforms play a key role in the whole process. In this article, you will learn what they are, how to use them, and how to integrate them with tools for webinars and online meetings.
e-Learning is not just about virtual lessons. Every teacher, educator, or owner of a training company knows very well how many activities need to be performed to make distance learning possible and effective. The range of responsibilities is very wide and includes, on the one hand, formal and administrative issues, and, on the other hand, arranging the work and preparing tools that would help to share the knowledge. A learning management system (LMS), therefore, becomes the backbone of the whole process. This solution is not dedicated only to the largest institutions, as it might seem. Its features can also be successfully used by small training companies, as well as public or language schools.
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LMS (learning management system) is software that supports the process of remote learning. It takes various forms. Most often, an LMS platform provides instructors and users with:
Of course, LMS systems are a very broad category of tools. Most often, an LMS platform is a comprehensive software solution that aggregates the various IT solutions necessary for engaging knowledge sharing and learning.
However, other types of IT solutions supporting the remote learning process are also often defined this way. These include, for example, LCMS (Learning Content Management System) systems, which are used to plan, deliver and manage learning events within an organization. While the LMS platform addresses the needs of both instructors and learners, LCMS systems focus primarily on the first group.
Of course, from the perspective of both the instructor and the people attending the class, the performance of the LMS platform will prove to be the most important. The right configuration affects the e-Learning experience positively and significantly facilitates the transfer and absorption of knowledge.
It is worth taking a closer look at the capabilities of a learning management system based on the experience of e-learning leaders.
The eLearning platform of the Gdansk University of Technology – one of the best technical universities in Poland – has to meet the demands of 1,400 university teachers and nearly 20,000 students.
The solution supports e-Learning comprehensively thanks to the possibilities offered by the LMS Moodle. An important component of the platform is also ClickMeeting, which offers convenient creation of classes in the form of interactive webinars and online meetings. Integration with the e-Learning platform means that both lecturers and students can join events directly from the LMS platform. There is also no need to leave it to create an event.
Gdansk University of Technology provides this way, among other things:
In addition, the LMS platform provides access to an extensive statistics panel. Users can use it not only on computers but also on mobile devices. One of the most important features of the system is its simplicity:
When booking a webinar, the academic teacher chooses, among other things, the profile of the meeting – whether it is to be a large event, e.g., a lecture, or a meeting for a smaller number of people, that works well for seminars. Next, they choose the date and time of the event. They can also introduce access regulations to the event. For example, it can exclude students who have not given the required consent.
Anita Dąbrowicz-Tlałka, PhD, Gdańsk Tech Professor
AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow is one of the leaders in e-Learning. The best technical university in the country has established a special e-Learning Center, which is responsible, among other things, for the staff training programs, creating training courses to expand their competence in distance learning, and preparing various events, including large international conferences.
Experts provide users with extensive tools. The basis of remote teaching at AGH is the UPeL platform based on LMS software Moodle. ClickMeeting is one of the solutions that allow lecturers to meet directly with students.
Teachers use the Virtual Class mode to create classes. They can choose the class size depending on specific needs – virtual classes of up to 50 or 200 people are available. They also set the date of the meeting and, if necessary, the access password. This way, employees can comfortably and safely transfer their classes to the virtual space.
Anna Wrona – methodologist at the AGH UST Centre of e-Learning
An important part of maintaining the quality of e-learning at the university is staff training. Before gaining access to the LMS platform and transferring classes online, lecturers must attend the training provided by the e-Learning Center employees. This way, they quickly master the principles of the system and develop the skills necessary for effective online learning. They also benefit from courses and training to improve their skills in remote teaching methodologies.
Why are more and more schools, universities, or companies specializing in organizing training choosing to use LMS systems? The answer is simple – they significantly improve the process of both teaching and organizing the work of the entire entity. For employees, this means definitely easier performance. From the perspective of participants, on the other hand, acquiring knowledge is more pleasant and intuitive.
Here are the basic functions of the LMS platform used by organizers of educational activities:
Of course, an LMS is supposed to support first and foremost the users who are gaining knowledge, which means participants in your courses, training sessions, lessons, or lectures. How do well-configured platforms help them achieve their goals?
Contrary to appearances, LMS are not only the solutions addressed to the most advanced entities. Where can they be used?
The main advantage of the LMS is its high flexibility and ability to customize the learning management system to meet individual expectations. Thus, on the one hand, it can be a comprehensive environment that allows moving all educational activity to the Internet. On the other hand, it can be limited, for example, to modules that allow training planning and provide users with access to course recordings and additional content. Interestingly, an LMS doesn’t have to involve major expenses, so it’s worth thinking about its implementation even if training activities are just an additional area of the company’s operations.
One of the most popular LMS is Moodle. It is free, open-source software made available under the GNU GPL license. So anyone can simply download and install the platform and then customize it to suit their needs. Extensive technical skills won’t always be needed for this. A big help is various types of plug-ins that allow, for example, integration of the LMS with a tool for webinars and online meetings. Below you can see what this looks like for ClickMeeting:
Even more possibilities are provided by taking advantage of the platform’s open API. This allows you to fully customize the LMS and create a unique system that is friendly to all users: both employees and students.
From a developer’s perspective, the most useful feature of ClickMeeting is the Open API, which is an open application programming interface. This allows us at the IT Services Center to create tools so that university teachers can manage a large number of online meetings, as well as access extensive statistics and analysis.
Mikolaj Grochowski, M.Sc.
Of course, one of the most important spaces within LMS platforms is the virtual classroom. This is where training, practical and project activities, lessons, or lectures take place. So if you’re looking to create a consistent system that will be appreciated by both employees and students, you need to choose the right platform for webinars and online meetings. Here’s a list of the most important features to look out for.
In the case of ClickMeeting, you can test the platform’s features during a free 30-day trial period. So you have plenty of time to test the most important features, including automation!
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