Learning Management System and Personal Learning Environment

Today’s blog will be devoted to learning management systems (LMS) and personal learning environments (PLE). I have encountered these two platforms during the study years but I did not have clear-cut distinctions between them until I have watched a video by Stephen Downes(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDwcCJncyiw&feature=relmfu).

A learning management system is teacher-centered, that is teachers create courses, upload content, initiate discussions and form groups. It presents a model where students consume information through independent channels as library, textbook (LMS) and gives students the opportunity to interact and construct knowledge in a collaborative environment. Two most popular learning management systems that we are familiar with are Moodle and Blackboard. 

I remember myself doing research on these two systems last year and found that Moodle as a learning management system is more widespread all over the world, is organized and more user-friendly. Moodle is used as an LMS to provide course content in our institution. Being a student, I like the features of Moodle especially after the changes done recently.

            In contrast to LMS systems, personal language environment gives the students opportunities to make connections from a bunch of resources that they themselves choose and organize. PLE has student-centric approach which allows students to select and use the tools that meets their individual needs.

I was really amazed at exploring the two language learning systems Edmodo and Twiducate as a new Web 2.0 tools. Tinkering around the two platforms I preferred Edmodo in terms of features and functions. What makes Edmodo so unique from other Web 2.0 tools is the fact that it is secure and closed network. In addition, it also combines many effective applications from Facebook, Twitter and Blogger. For example, students can take part in the online discussions like in Twitter and can post their work like Blogger. It is a safe social network community for classroom use, designed for both students and teachers. Both teachers and students can share notes, blogs, videos, notes, presentations links, files and resources with each other.
In addition to this, teachers have the ability to post alerts, assignments, grades, reminders, conduct a poll and share events. Another feature that caught my eye is parents’ involvement in the learning progress of children as they can view their child’s work and progress. Also students can create connections with other students from different schools and cultures.

While searching different LMS platforms, I came across another one called Schoology which gives you the tools and connections to engage students more effectively and adjust to changing student needs, learn from collective experiences.

To cut it short, these platforms are really invaluable in its nature and can be relevant to make education in Armenia effective and motivating. One limitation in using Edmodo in Armenian context is the access to computers and internet at home. Now, I cannot imagine the learning process without the support of Moodle. Alas, Armenian higher educational institutions do not provide students with the opportunity to use online learning management systems which is really a great gap for both the institution, instructors and students.