Selecting an appropriate learning management system in open and distance learning: a strategic approach

Nikhil Kant,Kumari Anjali,K.D. Prasad

doi:10.1108/aaouj-09-2020-0075

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to derive criteria for a strategic selection of learning management system (LMS) after making an analysis of the feedback data collected from learners and academic counselors in open and distance learning (ODL) to evaluate their perceptions. This analysis hints at the need to implement a learning management system (LMS) in ODL. Selecting an appropriate LMS can prove to be a strategic approach for ODL in achieving self-reliance and competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachResearch design includes qualitative design intended to discuss the features, advantages and attributes of different popular LMSs and compare them. In addition, the quantitative design (a questionnaire-based online feedback) to analyze the perceptions of the learners and academic counselors in order to know their e-learning needs has also been used. Results have been exhibited in tabular/graphical formats for easy comprehension and enhanced understanding.FindingsFindings of the study suggest that availability of plethora of LMSs in the market, which also include open source (OS) LMSs, makes the decision- making as regards selection of an appropriate LMS strategically crucial requiring adequate consideration of every aspect such as cost, quality, usage, capacity, budget and most importantly priorities and objectives.Research limitations/implicationsThis study will help educational administrators and decision-makers in ODL for building a quality civilized life and empowered society by removing the constraints related to financial problems, disabilities, time, geographical conditions and many others in bringing education to the doorstep of every willing learner. The technical details of LMS, however, were intentionally kept simplified to achieve the objective and provide easy comprehensibility for the reader with little technical background, which might be a limitation of this study.Originality/valueThis study highlights that ODL has tasted success with optimum exploitation of different technological advancements in its transformational expedition from conventional learning to innovative e-learning and to the newest adaptive e-learning system. The huge potential of LMS, in providing learners and educators in ODL with an effective web-based learning system incorporating almost all the academic activities, has attracted organizations for using it not only for imparting education to learners but also for providing appropriate trainings to their human resources.

Highlights

Advancements and innovations in technology have affected different fields of our daily life including innovative methods adopted for education and trainings. Ramadhani et al (2019) argue that adoption of appropriate technological advancements is found to be immensely useful in making learning and teaching more dynamic in education
This study used the data collected through two separate questionnaire-based online feedbacks collected by the IGNOU to evaluate the attitude of its learners (n 5 51,801) toward the usefulness of the provision of self learning material (SLM) in electronic media for mastering the content and of its academic counselors (n 5 3,284) toward the keenness of the learners to use the e-SLM for studying the course
There is a need for the open and distance learning (ODL) system to adapt faster than their conventional counterparts as it serves the educational needs of more varied learners

Summary

Introduction

Advancements and innovations in technology have affected different fields of our daily life including innovative methods adopted for education and trainings. Ramadhani et al (2019) argue that adoption of appropriate technological advancements is found to be immensely useful in making learning and teaching more dynamic in education. Having encountered numerous challenges and barriers, learners including lifelong learners have resorted to open and distance learning (ODL), which is known to have successfully harnessed technological advancements for providing them with enabling learning environments due to enhanced interactivity offering newer opportunities of education for the learners who have been facing various constraints in the conventional system of learning (Kant and Anjali, 2020; Nayak et al, 2020) In these situations, learning management system (LMS), by virtue of its huge perceived latent potentialities, has offered itself to be exploited appropriately for the satisfaction of the educational needs of learners and instructors both. LMS, is being used comprehensively by advanced educational institutions in imparting education to learners and providing trainings to academic as well as administrative human resources (Alameen and Dhupia, 2019)

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Conclusion