Navigate 3.1.1 LMS Tool Categories Quest

In your blog, discuss the most relevant features offered in an LMS, which relate directly to effective online instruction. How might these be used in the online environment?

The student account - allows the student to see the LMS content and  his.her own grades, dropbox. In addition the student can enter areas set up for group work such as collaboration tools and discission,

The teacher can make announcements and determine the flow of the course. He/she facilitates the content and encourages students to complete work in a timely manner. The teacher can also change and add to content, giving the students the tools necessary to learn in a different manner at their own pace. Teachers also have access to the gradebook and student drop folder.

The system adminstrator can see all the teachers course that they are in charge of. They can also see all the students within those courses. Reports can be generated, content changed.

In general a great LMS will allow for a great amount of flexibilty. Each system has it's little quirks but in most cases these are overcome by an alternate menthod of content delivery. One of the good things about an LMS system is that it hold the students accountable for their work. Third party products can be embedded within the system. For instance TurnItIn works with Moodle to ensure copyright enfringment is not occuring. You cna embed YouTube videos, spreadsheet, StatCrunch deliveries. The list goes on. If you find a online tool you can usually figure out how to make it part of an LMS.