Abstract:

Course Management System (CMS) is a tool that allows an instructor to post information on the web without having to know or understand HTML or other computer languages. CMS thus provides instructors with a set of tools and a framework that allows the relatively easy creation of online course content and the subsequently teaching and management of that course including various interactions with students taking the course. Furthermore, a CMS may contain aspects of administration (e.g. class rosters, grade records) but also deal directly with core aspects of teaching (e.g. it may contain learning objects, class, exercises, quizzes and test) [1].

Thus, a robust CMS should be able to:
(1) support the placement of course materials online,
(2) store students’ submissions,
(3) track students’ performance, and
(4) mediate communication between students and instructor [2].

The author found that Google has the necessary technology capable of making a robust CMS as described above. Hence, this article describes the author’s experience of using various Google Apps (e.g. Google Docs, Google Chart Tool, etc) to create a live feedback for in-class assessment, run an “in-lesson hotline”, and disseminate course materials and information for his fundamental physics course. The strength and limitation of this Google-based CMS will also be discussed in details during my presentation.

References:
[1]. EDUCAUSE Evolving Technologies Committee (2003) Course Management System (CMS). Retrieved May 14, 2013, from
www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/DEC0302.pdf
[2]. Watson, W. & Watson, S. L. (2007) An argument for clarity: What are Learning Management Systems, what are they not, and what should they become, TechTrends, 51 (2). 28-34

Keywords:

Learning management system, course management system, Google.