Developing a Course Management System
A Course Management System (CMS) is an online tool for teachers and students to access and collaborate online for classes. When developing a CMS it is important to consider many components. After developing my first CMS I have reflected on the core foundations of my online course design. Those components are listed below with additional information. In addition to my considerations is my Developer Notebook. This notebook is a google document showing my reflections, analysis, feedback, ideas, and issues when designing and developing my CMS.
Percentage of Integration
When deciding to create an online course you have to reflect on how much of the CMS (Course Management System) will be used. For example, if your students are only taking the course online then all curriculum, discussion, and interactions will need to be integrated into the CMS. If your students are enrolled in a traditional setting, the amount of information posted on the CMS will vary based on your wanted usage. I have chosen the hybrid model which consists of 50% of student involvement in the classroom setting and 50% of student involvement on the online CMS. Students are unable to pass the class without using both components. Based on access and integration of the CMS in your curriculum, your integration can range from 1-99%. Knowing the amount of CMS usage for your class will allow you to decide what exactly you want to include in your developing. It is important to remember that developing a working and efficient CMS is time consuming to say the least. Hold back integration if you are rushed to throw things together in time. The worst thing about a rushed CMS is the classroom management issue based on developing issues and hiccups. Quality over quantity is a good policy when developing your CMS.
When deciding to create an online course you have to reflect on how much of the CMS (Course Management System) will be used. For example, if your students are only taking the course online then all curriculum, discussion, and interactions will need to be integrated into the CMS. If your students are enrolled in a traditional setting, the amount of information posted on the CMS will vary based on your wanted usage. I have chosen the hybrid model which consists of 50% of student involvement in the classroom setting and 50% of student involvement on the online CMS. Students are unable to pass the class without using both components. Based on access and integration of the CMS in your curriculum, your integration can range from 1-99%. Knowing the amount of CMS usage for your class will allow you to decide what exactly you want to include in your developing. It is important to remember that developing a working and efficient CMS is time consuming to say the least. Hold back integration if you are rushed to throw things together in time. The worst thing about a rushed CMS is the classroom management issue based on developing issues and hiccups. Quality over quantity is a good policy when developing your CMS.
Uses of Course Management System (CMS)
Your CMS can be utilized in many different ways based on the one you choose. Each CMS has different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to rank the elements you find most important and compare it to the CMS. The following are examples of elements you can include in your CMS: grouping, grading, journals, video upload, calendar, file upload, layout, etc. Open Source is a great site that allows you to demo different CMS tools. Edutools is a site that also provides the opportunity to compare CMS tools based on your preferences. Do not assume that you will want to use a particular CMS until you have used the demo and ranked your preferences. You will be surprised to see that what you thought you liked and what you are looking for could be two completely different CMS tools. Consider using something you are not familiar with if it fits best with your style of teaching. One CMS tool not listed is Course Sites by blackboard. It is a free CMS that will allow you to create a class to see if you like it.
Your CMS can be utilized in many different ways based on the one you choose. Each CMS has different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to rank the elements you find most important and compare it to the CMS. The following are examples of elements you can include in your CMS: grouping, grading, journals, video upload, calendar, file upload, layout, etc. Open Source is a great site that allows you to demo different CMS tools. Edutools is a site that also provides the opportunity to compare CMS tools based on your preferences. Do not assume that you will want to use a particular CMS until you have used the demo and ranked your preferences. You will be surprised to see that what you thought you liked and what you are looking for could be two completely different CMS tools. Consider using something you are not familiar with if it fits best with your style of teaching. One CMS tool not listed is Course Sites by blackboard. It is a free CMS that will allow you to create a class to see if you like it.
Audience
Your audience will play a large role in what CMS tool you choose to use for your class. If you have a younger audience your CMS layout should be non-threatening, simple, and direct. The older your audience allows you to use more complex templates. This corresponds with navigation of your CMS as well. Students can often times by new users to CMS tools. Thus, having complicated and intricate course design may confuse and lose your students. Keep navigation simple and consistent. If you plan on doing multiple modules, make sure each module uses the same template and process. Your goal is for your students to gain a sense of familiarity and comfort as they go through the class. If the setup is continually changing, your audience will be frustrated and withdrawn from participating. A good tip is to have a *Start Here* or *What am I doing?* links for students who are struggling in order to keep them engaged and informed. Quick fact: if it takes a student longer then one minute to find something online, they will lose interest and leave.
Your audience will play a large role in what CMS tool you choose to use for your class. If you have a younger audience your CMS layout should be non-threatening, simple, and direct. The older your audience allows you to use more complex templates. This corresponds with navigation of your CMS as well. Students can often times by new users to CMS tools. Thus, having complicated and intricate course design may confuse and lose your students. Keep navigation simple and consistent. If you plan on doing multiple modules, make sure each module uses the same template and process. Your goal is for your students to gain a sense of familiarity and comfort as they go through the class. If the setup is continually changing, your audience will be frustrated and withdrawn from participating. A good tip is to have a *Start Here* or *What am I doing?* links for students who are struggling in order to keep them engaged and informed. Quick fact: if it takes a student longer then one minute to find something online, they will lose interest and leave.
Availability and Expectations
Something else to consider when requiring students to use an online tool is their access to the internet and computers. Will they be expected to accomplish tasks at home? Is there access to a computer lab on campus? Will the class be using the computer lab to complete online tasks? Your expectations need to be explicit and shared with the students, parents, and administration. You do not want to find yourself in a meeting debating on why the student can or cannot complete their online work. Also be mindful of students who do not have outside access to the CMS and be prepared to make accommodations. If your class will be using the computer lab, contact the lab coordinator to ensure the availability during class time and when the lab may be closed for testing, repairs, etc. Having this information may change your original plans for integration. If you cannot ensure student access, the amount of integration for the CMS must reflect that and vice versa. The more information you have about access, and the more communication you share, the smoother the implementation will be for your class.
Something else to consider when requiring students to use an online tool is their access to the internet and computers. Will they be expected to accomplish tasks at home? Is there access to a computer lab on campus? Will the class be using the computer lab to complete online tasks? Your expectations need to be explicit and shared with the students, parents, and administration. You do not want to find yourself in a meeting debating on why the student can or cannot complete their online work. Also be mindful of students who do not have outside access to the CMS and be prepared to make accommodations. If your class will be using the computer lab, contact the lab coordinator to ensure the availability during class time and when the lab may be closed for testing, repairs, etc. Having this information may change your original plans for integration. If you cannot ensure student access, the amount of integration for the CMS must reflect that and vice versa. The more information you have about access, and the more communication you share, the smoother the implementation will be for your class.