Abstract:

Learning Management System (LMS) is “an information system that administers instructor-led and e-learning courses and keeps track of student progress. Used internally by large enterprises for their employees, an LMS can be used to monitor the effectiveness of the organization's education and training. It is also beneficial in ensuring state-and federal-mandated courses are delivered in a timely manner.” (Encyclopedia, 2007)

Blackboard, Canvas, Desire2Learn (D2L), and Moodle are the most commonly used LMS in higher education in the United States. They have similar features and there is very little that differentiates one from the other. Advantages of using an LMS include: learning environment consistency, efficient tracking and reporting, and ease of regulatory and legal compliance. Even though LMS has the above advantages, it has several disadvantages as well.

Talks regarding the effectiveness of online education revolve around topics like—curriculum, training of faculty, teaching methodology, online education v/s face-to-face environment, student motivation, sense of community (or lack thereof). There is hardly a talk about the quality and user-friendliness of the vehicle that delivers online education, i.e.—LMS. LMS is a critical part of online education. Presently it is an impediment to learning rather than a support structure.

The author has used a variety of LMS as a student as well as a faculty. He has found all of them to be primitive and clunky. Based on a survey of his classes in Spring 2018, he found that 78% of students found the LMS to be difficult to use.

This paper focuses on the findings of that research. It discusses the shortcomings of LMS in the context of their User Experience. It also proposes ways to enhance the LMS user experience.

Keywords:

LMS, e-learning, User Experience, UX, UI, delivery, education.