Use Of Course Management Systems Research Articles

Just a Tool: Instructors’ Attitudes and Use of Course Management Systems for Online Writing Instruction

Abstract This study uses interview and observation data from first-year composition instructors to determine how instructors’ experiences with course management systems (CMSs) influence their teaching practices within those spaces. I determine that although instructors recognize the potential significance of CMSs, there is still a great disparity between instructors’ practices in face-to-face and CMS spaces with many instructors failing to see their use of CMSs as part of their pedagogical practice.

Course Management System’s Compatibility with Teaching Style Influences Willingness to Complete Training

Although course management systems (CMSs) provide technology platforms that help faculty members adopt better techniques for teaching and learning, and training contributes to faculty information technology (IT) use, many higher education faculty members do not complete CMS training programs, resulting in underuse of CMSs. Therefore, the overall purpose of this research was to address how instructor perceptions influence willingness to complete IT training on CMSs, and to discern techniques university administrators can implement to improve training completion rates and, ultimately, CMS adoption rates. The basic design of the study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were obtained from 102 public university faculty members who responded to an anonymous, web-based survey about their perceptions of the relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability of their institution’s CMS. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Compatibility, defined as the degree to which instructors perceive the CMS as being consistent with their existing values, past experiences, and current or future teaching needs, was statistically significantly associated with willingness to complete online and in-person CMS training after controlling for other factors. Major findings suggest that faculty training on the CMS is not “one size fits all.” If greater use of CMSs by faculty is to be achieved, university administrators should consider compatibility of teaching style with CMS adoption when developing and promoting CMS training.

E-Reserves in Transition: Exploring New Possibilities in E-Reserves Service Delivery

Nearly all academic libraries offer course reserves, and most have long considered it a core library service. However, expanding use of course management systems in academia have opened new opportunities for libraries interested in exploring changes to electronic reserves services. Budget constraints and staffing shortages have also led several institutions to consider eliminating or modifying their e-reserves operations. Potentially difficult challenges, however, also accompany making significant changes to often well-established practices. This environmental scan of selected academic libraries across the United States discusses institutions that have maintained the status quo in e-reserves services, as well as those who have changed or discontinued these services. The article also provides insight on why some of the latter decided to make these changes.

Optimizing Use of Course Management Systems

In this bimonthly series, the author examines how nurse educators can use Internet and Web-based computer technologies such as search, communication, and collaborative writing tools; social networking and social bookmarking sites; virtual worlds; and Web-based teaching and learning programs. The focus of this article is optimizing the use of a course management system.

Use of WebCT in online and blended modes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the use of WebCT in support of online and blended learning in the Faculty of Architecture of a Hong Kong university.Design/methodology/approachPaper questionnaires are used to collect students' experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards the online course they have undertaken. Focus group interviews are conducted with two groups of students at the end of the semester. In addition, both formal and informal interviews are conducted with the instructor to understand his perceptions and perspectives.FindingsIn general, students prefer to have course management systems (CMS) as a supplement to face‐to‐face lectures rather than as its replacement. They perceive WebCT as mainly a platform for downloading materials and submitting assignments rather than a platform for teaching and learning. Learning fully online is perceived as self‐learning. The traditional lecture is considered more effective and efficient by many students to grasp concepts and principles.Research limitations/implicationsThis is an exploratory study at a Hong Kong university. However, it provides initial evidence to shed light on issues concerning the use of CMS in support of online and blended learning.Practical implicationsIn order to ensure a more engaging and rewarding online learning experience, teacher's online presence should be strengthened. Other than teacher presence, the cognitive presence could be fostered through engineering the student‐to‐student interaction in co‐located settings.Originality/valueThe paper usefully demonstrates how the blended mode of learning that combines face‐to‐face and online learning has become increasingly popular, while the courses conducted entirely online are comparatively rare at universities in Hong Kong.

Keeping the pace in CS-1 through the use of CMS

In this poster, it is aimed to share the experience of using course management systems (CMS) in a CS-1 course. The aim was to focus on the individual needs of students while learning programming. Creating a social online environment for solving exercises and sharing solutions seemed to be effective to support instructors as well as students.

Effective use of course management systems to enhance student learning: Experimental Biology 2007

Course management systems are software packages that support teaching and learning by providing web-based tools, services, and resources. Electronic course management can facilitate course organization, teaching delivery, communication, collaboration, and assessment. This article reports on a symposium on the use of course management systems, presented by the Teaching of Physiology Section of the American Physiological Society, at the Experimental Biology Meeting of 2007.

Course Management Systems

Development and sale of computer-assisted instructional supplements and course management system products are increasing. Textbook sales representatives use this technology to market textbooks, and many colleges and universities encourage the use of such technology. The use of course management systems in education has been equated to the use of enterprise resource planning software by large businesses. Research findings about the pedagogical benefits of computer-assisted instruction and computer management systems are inconclusive. This study describes an experiment conducted to determine the benefit to students of using course manage-ment systems. The effects of cognition, learning styles, and computer attitude were considered and eliminated to better isolate any differences in performance. Student performance did not improve with the use of the technology.

Factors that influence faculty members’ uptake and continued use of course management systems

Factors that influence faculty members’ uptake and continued use of course management systems

Library instruction and information literacy – 2003

This article presents an annotated bibliography of literature recently published on the topic of library instruction and information literacy in academic, school, public, special, and all types of libraries. Collaboration was a strong theme, especially among academic and school libraries. Other themes discussed in the articles include the globalism of information literacy, assessment, the use of course management systems, and the use and value of online tutorials.