Navigate 3.1.1 LMS Tool Categories Quest

Navigate 3.1.1 LMS Tool Categories Quest

Discuss the most relevant features offered in an LMS, which relate directly to effective online instruction. How might these be used in the online environment?

There are too many possibilities of features associated with a LMS to name them all. I will name the ones that I consider to be the most relevant in relations to effective online instruction.

Communication is Key to an effective LMS- this includes communication between the  instructor and whole class, instructor and individual students, students with students, etc... Communication can be done in numerous ways online from email in the LMS, announcements, instant messaging, audio or video conferencing, blogging, discussion boards, and much more. These items must be in place, be easy to use, and reliable for the online environment to be successful.

Student Assessment and Grade book are two other features that can make or break an effective LMS. Teachers need quizzes, tests, project uploads, etc.. in an user friendly format for them to implement in their class. Students also need this to be easy for them to access and utilize. It needs to be able to calculate the scores and keep up with grades to take this off the teacher's plate. A drop box is also optimal for ease of turning in assignments.

Class Materials and content are crucial to the LMS. Teachers should be able to upload materials from PDF files, word documents, PowerPoint, videos, and audio at a touch of a button. It should be also relatively easy for students to gain access to all of the class materials without lots of hoops to jump through. LOR is a must to be able to have access to all of the materials available and to share with all in the class.

Activity Management is an integral part of a LMS. Teachers should be able to monitor their students and their activity in the program including what assignments have been turned in or not, discussion board threads, blogs, messages, emails, and time spent on each activity. This needs to be all bundle up in a easy to interrupt data package and reports to run and print that are is not complicated and time consuming.

These are just a few of the features associated with a LMS. Below are other items that are also important in a LMS.

Navigate 2.1.4 Lecture Capture Quest

Navigate 2.1.4 Lecture Capture Quest

• How would the resource function in the online classroom?
• How would the integration of Lecture Capture modify teaching methods?

Lecture Capture is a wonderful tool to use in online education! It enables teachers to video lectures, lessons, experiments, etc... so students can access them from anywhere at anytime. It helps teachers to be more efficient with synchronous times in their online class to archive and record lessons and lectures.

Lecture Capture can be integrated not only into online classes but in a regular brick and mortar classroom too. This method can modify teaching methods by allowing teachers more time to answer questions with students and give one on one instruction with students too. Some equipment is needed to make this a smooth and successful tool to incorporate into any type of classroom. See diagram below.

Navigate 2.1.3 Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms Quest

Navigate 2.1.3 Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms Quest

Commercial v. Open	Strengths	Weaknesses
Commercial	24/7 tech support. Trainings Format- user friendly. Lots of options available. More bang for your buck. You get what you pay for! High tech. Capable to accommodate more students in sessions. Free trials.	Costs- sometimes hidden costs. Locked into format. If you want to change things may cost you more. No local control over format.
Open Source	FREE Must link to Facebook, Google+, Twitter- which is easily accessible by public. User friendly. More control over format and content. Set up how you want it to be for your class. More Choices in setting up format and class.	Trainings can be limited as is tech support. Not as many

Navigate 2.1.2 Recorded Session Quest

Navigate 2.1.2 Recorded Session Quest

Name of Commercial Product	Easy/Challenging to Use Scale 1-5 1-    Easy to use- no problem 2-    Moderate to Use 3-    Need some help to Use 4-    Difficult to Use 5-    Challenging to Use	Strengths	Weaknesses
Adobe Connect	2- Moderate	Daily Training Sessions available. Easy to find and use quick start guides for host and participants. User Friendly format if you are use to online classes. Questions can be typed in as you lesson. Free trials. Support available and easy to find. Chat available. Muting and unmuting available. Recording.	Must have Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Lots of downloads. Costs involved at trial.
Big Blue Button	1-    Easy to use	Training video- very easy to understand. Users can be muted and unmuted. Chat room while lesson is going on- private or with everyone. Whiteboard very easy to use for host. Record and Playback features. Integrated VoIP Desktop sharing for audience. Multiple users can share webcam at same time. Open and Commercial Support. Open source On FB, Twitter, Google+	Lots of options. Prefers uploads in PDF. Requires latest version of Java for presenters.
Blackboard	3Need some help to use this.	In-house emails Announcements Blogs, Wiki, Journals are available. Sessions can be achieved. Updated On demand training videos available 24/7 through YouTube. Turn on and off the microphone. Wimba tool for voice. 30 day free trial.	Built in messaging tool- not reliable. Must have flash drive for training videos. Echo when more than one speaker’s mic is on. Wimba tool- lots of options and directions. Could be overwhelming. After trial must pay.
Cisco Webex	3-Might need some help	Audio conferencing. Share desktop applications.  Record the meeting, including the audio, video, and presentation, for sharing later. Chat and start a side conversation with anyone in the meeting. Videos can be shared. Invitation links everyone to the meeting site. VoIP and Callers can talk together. Mute/unmute. Pass the ball- anyone can be the presenter by dragging the ball to their name. Support center. Training materials.	Hooks into Microsoft Outlook. Free for up to 3 people in a meeting. Monthly fees.
GotoMeeting	4-Difficult to use	Invitation to join. Must register in invitation. Free trials. Flat-fee pricing. Toll-free option for audio conferencing. Record meetings audio and video.	ID Provided by organization and must type it in. Must install the GoToMeeting App first. Free trials then flat-fee pricing. Cannot pay for just one webinar.

Navigate 2.1.1 Delivery Methods and the Synchronous Vendor Market Quest

Navigate 2.1.1 Delivery Methods and the Synchronous Vendor Market Quest

Compose a blog post regarding the available options in the synchronous delivery market for learning.

In the online learning community there are numerous ways to reach students and members synchronously.

There are two main markets for synchronously delivery options:

1. Commercial/Vendor

2. Open Source

There are pros and cons for both options. Let's explore each one.

Commercial of course is exactly what one would expects.. You must purchase it and most have a free trial period. It has technical support 24/7.  It is professionally developed and can be more user-friendly for online learners. However, there can be hidden or on-going costs involved even past the initial cost. Sometimes, with commercial or vendors the purchaser has little control over format, content, etc.. It is a prepackaged option. Some, you can tailor for your needs, but again that could add to more money out of pocket. 

Some examples of commercial options that I have personally used and found very easy to use:

1. Gotomeeting

2. Blackboard

Others that are big in this market that I have no experience with are Adobe Connect, CiscoWebEx, Veeting Rooms just to mention a few.

Open Source is FREE! Which is the biggest advantage over commercial. One usually has more control over the format and content. May have some technical support, but not as vast as commercial. Some examples include Webhuddle, Google Hangout, and Big Blue Button. I have only had a small amount of experience with Google Hangout and found it very easy to use.

It can be quite overwhelming at all the options available for institutions to host meetings, tutoring sessions, etc... for students. One needs to really do their homework and find the right option for their needs. There is something for everyone out there!

Navigate 1.3.1 Discussing the LMS and CMS Quest

Navigate 1.3.1 Discussing the LMS and CMS Quest

When would one need a full blown LMS? Discuss the perceived differences in the industry between LMS and CMS in your blog.

LMS (learning management systems) and CMS (course management systems) are sometimes used interchangeably however they are similar but are still quite different.

Let's put this in terms of a University's athletic program. Let's go with Auburn University- WAR EAGLE!

So Auburn has an Athletic Department that encompasses much more than just football. It houses baseball, softball, golf, volleyball, swimming, diving, equestrian, tennis, track and field, basketball, gymnastics, just to name a few. It also deals with travel, ticket sales, facilities, athletes, coaches, spectators, rules and regulations, and much more. This is similar to what a LMS is like for online learning environments. It is the Athletic Department- it is the umbrella with many different departments under it that deals with content, grades, reports, data, students, teachers, etc....

The CMS is like a sport under the athletic department. It really one component under the roof of the LMS. The Course management system does not have the capacity to do all that a LMS does.

Districts would benefit much greater from purchasing and utilizing a LMS then a CMS. In reality, CMS's are already apart of a fully developed LMS.

In FCS, we have Moodlerooms as our LMS with lots of bells and whistles that have CMS embedded in them.

Navigate 1.2.1 Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments Quest

Navigate 1.2.1 Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments Quest

Describe roles and functions in online learning environments in your blog.

There are many roles and functions in an online learning community.

Two systems in place in all education entities are:

1. SIS (student information system) this directly manages all of the information an educational system would need in regards to their students including biographical information, testing history, grades, schedules, etc...

2. LMS (learning management system) involves the system that house the information for online learning for districts.

In a school system there are various roles and responsibilities in regards to online learning. 

In SIS:

1. Teachers- use for  information, grades, schedules 

2. Students- use to register, see grades, schedules and make payments

3. Facilitators- watch over the students and check grades

4. Administrators- monitor and evaluate 

In LMS:

1. Administrators- that are over the program

2. Course Developers- develop the content of the courses

3. Teacher- teach the online courses

4. Student- take the courses

5. Student Facilitator

6. Parent/Guardian of Student- to view grades and support student

I have had the opportunity of being able to play various roles in my job at FCS. We use Powerschool currently as our SIS, and in the past used SchoolMax. I have used Blackboard, Moodle and now Google Classroom for LMS.

In the SIS, I have been a teacher and facilitator.

In regards to the LMS, I have been an administrator, course developer, teacher, student, and student facilitator.