Abstract:

The rapid uptake of campus-wide Learning Management Systems (LMS) is changing the character of the on-campus learning experience. The trend towards LMS as an adjunct to traditional learning modes has been the subject of little research beyond technical analyses of alternative software systems. This paper presents a broad, critical examination of the potential impact of these online systems on teaching and learning in universities. It discusses in particular the possible effects of LMS on teaching practices, on student engagement, on the nature of academic work and on the control over academic knowledge.
There is a significant change taking place in higher education that has received surprisingly little analysis. In the last few years, integrated computer systems known as Learning Management Systems (LMS) have rapidly emerged and are having, and will increasingly have, profound effects on university teaching and learning. These systems have the capacity to create virtual learning environments for campus-based students, and are even being used to develop fully online virtual universities. They are becoming ubiquitous at universities around the world, adding a virtual dimension to even the most traditional campus-based institutions.
In this work, we explore implications arising from the incorporation of LMS into university teaching and learning programmes, applied to degree program in mechanical engineering.