I personally am a huge fan of LMS (Learning Management Systems) also known as CMS (Course Management Systems). I have experience with a few different systems both as an instructor and as a student. As an instructor, I used a LMS called Angel Learning Systems. It was created by Blackboard which is another platform used for virtual education (I have also used Blackboard as a student for synchronous class meetings). I absolutely LOVED Angel. I was able to do so many things but mainly it allowed me to give a lot more responsibility to the students. I created and maintained course calendars with topics of study, due dates for projects, and dates for summative assessments. I also uploaded all course materials, notes, videos, music, and handouts. I created formative assessments used for check points and the LMS graded them for me and provided me with data saving me countless hours grading and computing. I also created class discussion forums that I knew would be safe for students to use. Angel saved me so much time and resources printing materials and assisting students who were either absent or misplaced an assignment. They knew to go straight to Angel.
Angel did not function as a "one stop shop" for teacher programs. We also used separate Student Information Systems (SIS) for parent access, grading, and email even though it probably could have all been done through the LMS.
I also have experience with another LMS, Moodle, as a student. While earning my Education Specialist in Instructional Design and Development at UGA the coursework was very much blended. Depending on the course, some were face to face while some were entirely online with a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous class meetings. Moodle was a great place to keep track of coursework, submit assignments, give and receive feedback from fellow students and professors, and basically have a sort of home base.
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