Exploring Learning Management System for HEIs to Combat COVID-19

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, there is emerging a trend to facilitate learning through an online platform. Prior to this situation usually, e-learning technologies attracted a small number of teachers. As and when there was a call for utilizing digital technologies in educational endeavors, mostly teachers hesitated to use the same. But now in COVID 19 has brought a new analysis of SWOC for teaching technologies with reference to digital technologies. In a world where knowledge is a mouse click away, the educational system must change too. In fact, this global crisis symbolizes challenges for the educational system to be more responsive, flexible, and resistant.

If we talk about the delivery of online learning. I am surprised to see the surroundings where A is very curious about taking his class in virtual mode and searching the platforms. B is engaging his class on ZOOM, Google Meet, or other similar platforms. Students are now totally confused when their teacher sends a message to them Install the particular app and tomorrow at 6; PM there will be class. Meantime there is another message from another teacher, download the app (which is different from the previous one), and tomorrow there will be a class and the time will be announced shortly. Pity on these types of arrangements. It is clear that due to pandemic covid 19, online learning is now a necessity. And necessity is not the mother of invention but also innovations. So is the case with the online learning system. Using technology in teaching and learning is now a mandate or essential concern for institutions and teachers also. This is a remembering fact that effort  done online learning is 10 times greater than offline education.

 In the delivery of online learning, there should be a Unified Learning Management System through a Flipped Classroom Approach. Unified learning management line up design, develop and delivery across two axes; curriculum and platform.  In this particular system, institution or teacher design and develop standard-based curriculum including best practices. MOODLE, CANVAS, COURSE BUILDER are some popular LMS in the Indian scenario. Every institution or teacher who wants to deliver online education must have LMS. These LMS are free of cost and paid basis also.

Learning Management System (LMS) is a software platform that supports a range of uses from fully online courses to hybrid, blended, and flipped learning. Learning Management System (LMS) assists in managing, delivering, and evaluating e-Learning Programs. The LMS allows for the delivery of materials and communication to students, administration of tests and assignments, record keeping, early alerts, and much more.”

Features:  There are the different features of LMS which make it unique one for virtual learning.

1. ·         Announcement Facility
2. ·         Notes Facility
3. ·         Document Facility
4. ·         Multimedia Gallery
5. ·         Learning Track Facility
6. ·         Links Facility
7. ·         References Facility
8. ·         News Facility
9. ·         Assignment Facility
10. ·         Assessment Facility
11. ·         Discussion forums
12. ·         Live to stream

A flipped classroom is an instructional approach that reverses traditional learning. Instead of delivering instructional content in the classroom, it provides the same to learners often online. In a flipped classroom, students watch online lectures, collaborate in online discussions, carry out research at home, and further in the classroom they discuss and analyze with a tea break.

In the delivery of On-Line Learning, LMS is an essential requirement and it must be taken as a serious concern.

(Prof. Vandana Punia, Human Resource Development Centre. Guru Jambheshwar University Of S&T, Hisar. She is also the Course Coordinator of National Resource Center, Pedagogical Innovations and Research Methodology.  (MHRD, Govt. of India).