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CMS: Online Learning in K-12 Schools. Melissa Dutterer Secondary Mathematics. What is a CMS (Course Management System)?. “Internet-based software that manages student enrollment, tracks student performance, and creates and distributes course content” (Rabinowitz & Ullman, 2004, p.1).
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CMS: Online Learning in K-12 Schools Melissa Dutterer Secondary Mathematics
What is a CMS (Course Management System)? • “Internet-based software that manages student enrollment, tracks student performance, and creates and distributes course content” (Rabinowitz & Ullman, 2004, p.1). • Extension of classroom • Widely adopted by colleges and universities but becoming increasingly popular in K-12 classrooms.
Common CMS Systems • Rcampus (www.rcampus.com) • Moodle (www.moodle.com) • eCollege (www.ecollege.com) • WebCT (www.webct.com) • Blackboard (www.blackboard.com)
Example: Rcampus • FREE access to course management, e-portfolios, rubrics, and tutors • Set up student teams for collaborative assignments or study groups • Upload documents, assignments, activities, hyperlinks, assessments, and other supplemental resources for students • Develop and build electronic portfolios to demonstrate student growth and learning
Advantages of a CMS • Student centered learning environment that motivates students to participate • Supports meaningful and authentic student learning • Extends classroom to fill instructional and learning gaps • Actively engages students outside of the classroom in both individual and collaborative activities/assignments • Accommodates all learners and diversifies instruction
More Advantages of a CMS • Many CMS systems allow teachers to set up FREE accounts • Allows teacher to disseminate valuable supplemental information • Provides classroom messaging options • Ability for teachers to create online assessments in a variety of question formats • Students can access previous coursework, assessments, notes saved, etc. online
Closing Instructional Gaps • Personalizes and individualizes instruction to accommodate the needs, interests, and learning styles of all learners • Provides enrichment and/or remediation opportunities for students • Makes abstract concepts more concrete through the use of virtual manipulatives, online calculators and graphing tools, etc. (Cavanaugh & Clark, 2007).
Let’s address some concerns • CMS is a supplemental tool, not a replacement for traditional classrooms • Extensive initial time investment however once general framework has been set the updating of materials and maintenance of the CMS requires little time • Privacy/Security: • Password Protected • Access granted only to students in the class
References Cavanaugh, C., & Clark, T. (2007). The Landscape of K-12 Online Learning. In P. Adamson, B. Adamson, & N. Clausen-Grace, et al (Eds.), What Works in K-12 Online Learning (Chapter 1, pp. 5-19). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education. Rabinowitz, M., & Ullman, C. (2001, October 4). Course Management Systems and the Reinvention of Instruction -- THE Journal. THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2010, from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2004/10/01/Course-Management-Systems-and-the-Reinvention-of-Instruction.aspx?p=1