Learning Management Systems(LMS)BY: MATT GRUENER (TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR OLDTIMER ELMENTARY SCHOOL)

What is LMS

A learning management system(LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, racking, reporting and delivery of electronic educational technology (also called e-learning)education courses or training programs.

How can an LMS be Used in face to face instruction?

Discussion boards – An online discussion board, if set up and used properly, can be a great resource students. Students can answer questions posed outside of class time.

Assignment drop box – The drop box allows you to: set homework due dates that fall outside class times.

Grade book – The online grade book is useful for students to track of their own individual progress

Compass Learning Odyssey Lab time: See slides below

Which LMS is best for our school

The following presentation will look at three LMS systems and identify:

Three strengths and weaknesses of each system

How tools in LMS could support blended learning

Usability rating

Technical support for the platform, where can you get technical support?

Learning Curve for each LMS

Bridge: “Change the way you do employee engagement.”

Bridge Strengths

“Small, easy-to-create surveys allow you to know (and measure) how employees feel, what they need, and how to address their issues in real time”

“Manage User Groups. Group learners together quickly and easily. Once a group is created, it’s easy to track, understand, and manage individual groups.”

“Constant flow of conversation & feedback Bridge facilitates an ongoing conversation between managers and employees.”

What does Bridge Really Do?

Weaknesses

Steep Learning Curve “The Bridge team is constantly working on new features. We release updates to Bridge every two weeks, and that includes new and exciting features.”

Trouble with Tech Support: I called the Bridge help line to find out cost. I was on the phone for over 20 minutes for one simple question.

Blanket Statements: “Completely yawn and shrug proof.” Is a baseless statement that can not be measured. Our school is not in the market for an employee motivational engagement program.

How Tools can be used to support blended learning

Bridge is a digital platform that offers a multitude of options for employee growth.

“Bridge engages your employees with an interesting, cohesive learning experience.”

“Bridge’s cloud based platform and responsive design lets employees take self-study to the max. Students can enroll and take classes anytime, anywhere, and on any device—desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet.”

Usability rating and tech support.

Bridge is a program designed for business employee motivation. Bridge offers nothing more for our school than our campus email. Tech support is available through phone lines as well as email.

Usability rating: This is a product that we are not interested in. Rating N/A

Overall Recommendation: Not the program we are looking for. The program is not K-12

Compass Learning Odyssey

“Help each student navigate toward academic success Educators know that a classroom full of 20 or 30 students is a classroom full of 20 or 30 individuals—with individual strengths, needs, and ability levels. Meeting the needs of every student is an educator’s top priority. At Compass Learning®, we understand that, and we’re here to help.” (Yippeeeeeeee)

What does Compass Odyssey Do?

Strengths Of Compass Learning

Personalizing the learning experience: Each Student is given an individual path of instruction. Teachers are able to created a folder with their students and easily track individual students.

Easily implemented blended learning. Compass provides personal differentiated instruction.

Strong Pedigree of sucesss:

Success Stories

From August 2011 to January 2012 some students improved from a 4.9 instructional reading level (IRL) to a 6.2 IRL. In math, Moselle Elementary 6th graders saw an 86 percent growth rate from August to January. Several students moved from a 4.9 grade level equivalent (GE) to a 6.4 GE. MCT2 individual test scores also improved greatly. Some students leaped from a 132 to a 159 in language arts. In math several students gained 10 to 15 points. One student went from a 148 to a 163, which took him from proficient to advanced. As a whole 6th grade class, their MCT2 scores reflected 80 percent proficient or higher in language arts and 87 percent proficient or higher in math. Just 13 percent of 6th graders scored below proficient on the MCT2 math assessment, versus 40 percent prior to the implementation of Compass Learning. In reading the class boasted a 27 percent growth in their scores. Overall, the 6th grade experienced tremendous growth:

Weaknesses

Cost: The cost for k-8 students is around 20 dollars for each individual student per month. The cost for students in high school is around 30 dollars per student per month.

Learning Curve: Small learning curve for new users

Minor software glitches: Currently there are 860 students in a group on facebook: I hate Compass Learning Odyssey.

How to implement with blended learning

“Odyssey features:

Pretests to assess strengths and needs and pinpoint skill gaps for each student

Automatically generated individualized learning paths

Engaging yet rigorous instruction delivered through reading passages, virtual manipulatives, videos, and animations

Alignment with Common Core and state standards

Full integration with NWEA™MAP®, Scantron Performance Series®, and Renaissance STAR® assessments

Robust reporting tools to generate reliable data for instructional decision making

24/7 web access for via desktop, laptop, or mobile device”

Actual Implementation

In my junior field experience I have seen first hand the success that Compass Learning Odyssey can have. Students are actively engaged in learning and are on task.

Print out and progress are easy to monitor.

Usability/Technical Support

As a first time user with compass I found it to be a fairly smooth transition, with minimal hiccups.

Technical support is fast and easy. The Website provides an online forum with immediate assistance. They also have a help line number. 1.800.678.1412: Hours 7:am to 7:00 pm cst.

Recommendation

Our School should take a serious look at Compass Learning Odyssey. The Cost is the only real drawback that I can see. In looking on the website and talking to schools that have compass, the company will often lower the price for rural and low income schools.

Canvas: What people are say about it?

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