Online education has far passed the point of being merely a tool for taking online classes. Many learning management systems (LMS) are now one-stop platforms integrating administration, communication and planning tools to the benefit of not only the students in their learning process. An LMS also aids the parents who get involved in their children’s trajectory and helps teachers to get organised and refocus on teaching. The value of a learning platform is in the interconnectivity of the different systems, as they say: the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Institutions should stop using quick fixes and get fully on board with the latest learning management systems and software if they truly want to enhance the learning experience.

While it feels counterintuitive for many, the software reduces the workload, rather than make it more complex and arduous. Schools that embrace an LMS soon see the benefits of streamlined administration, parents having increased access to follow their children's progress, educators with a revived passion for teaching, and students who receive a more personalised and efficient education. The value of an LMS spreads throughout an institution, giving schools and colleges a competitive advantage. The following paragraphs explain further why schools and colleges in India should embrace LMS technology.

Being online is not enough

During the pandemic, many students in Delhi have had to take classes via networking platforms. While of course, this is better than no class at all; for many students, this approach may not be sufficient. Teachers do what they can, but due to the lack of resources to conduct online classes, they have had to make do with voice messages or video calls. Students need to absorb new information while sending back and forth voice messages, a highly inefficient way of communication for teaching purposes.

Children are struggling to grasp the new subject matter, and the process of feedback is slow and suboptimal. Students in India who attend government & low-budget private schools said they found these online classes overly challenging, but they do not complain because it is either WhatsApp classes or no classes at all. The lack of a proper online teaching system is increasing the gap between the more advantaged and disadvantaged students, and not just in Delhi but across the country.

Student engagement and holistic learning

The desired result of any school software system should always be to benefit the student. An LMS can engage students in many ways. Video classes and demonstrations provide quality content, while students build up their personal portfolios, earn badges and certificates and receive feedback and results - a fantastic motivator! Today’s students are tech-savvy and are ready to use applications and online content. Their enjoyment of online gaming is useful for engaging them in their studies through the gamification of educational materials.

D2L’s Brightspace LMS has a fully-integrated platform providing holistic learning to students. They learn to be more independent, set goals, plan their workload and benchmark themselves against others. These valuable skills go far beyond the content of any given class and form part of some of the most valuable skills required for future employment.

Students’ homework and assignments become more exciting and interactive, and, in some cases, they can connect with students across the country or indeed the world, for increased peer review and engagement.

Online examinations are not limited to simple multiple-choice questions; teachers can assess many different activities such as electronic and paper submissions and observational assessments in the class and in field or practical project work.

Personalised education

Many governments emphasise individualised education as a means to meet the specific needs of students. While this is a very noble objective, in today’s world students’ needs are tremendously varied and giving special attention to everyone is just impossible.

Through the use of AI-based technology on a platform like the Brightspace LMS, children are automatically assessed and are less likely to fall through the cracks that exist in current school scenarios. For example, when a student answers a question correctly during an assessment, the software can select a more difficult next question. Similarly, when a student gives a false answer, an easier question can be selected. The outcome will be a specific lesson plan, not only adapted in the way of competence-based learning (CBE) but also to students’ learning styles, interests and locations. AI-based technology can adapt to the four most common kinds of learners (VARK). Children who are more visual or auditory learners get the same class offered in a different, more suitable way than those who benefit more from reading-based learning. Adding more practical, real-life scenarios to the content ensures that those who learn best kinesthetically are also accommodated.

Students involved in many extra-curricular activities, following a busy sports programme or who need to travel for artistic performances can use the flexibility of the system to learn according to their schedule. Other children, who may be bound to their home or a hospital, can still have 24/7 access to the learning content. In rural parts of India, students can connect with other students or teachers all over the country to access premium content and enhanced learning opportunities remotely.

Helping teachers increase efficiency

One of the byproducts of modern teaching is the vast amounts of onerous admin work that distracts educators from their primary task—teaching. Administration can be streamlined in the LMS freeing up much needed time and headspace for teachers to focus more on their students. This can also stimulate their creativity and open up opportunities for more interesting teaching methods, such as video assignments and gamified content.

Brightspace LMS offers teachers a virtual assistant to send task and goal reminders, open remediation process for those who need help or find enhanced enrichment pathways.

The implementation of learning management systems can offer a solution for teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders in the education process. Key educational players like Manipal, Vidyashilp, SSVM, Sunbeam and XLRI are already embracing this new trend. By using a platform that integrates all tools a school environment can wish for, LMS can improve workflow, increase student engagement, establish a meaningful connection with parents and personalise learning. Maybe it is time all Indian schools and colleges took this step towards future-proofing education?

Why Schools And Colleges In India Need To Embrace LMS Technology For Future-proofing Education?

Why Schools And Colleges In India Need To Embrace LMS Technology For Future-proofing Education?