"Existing, standalone LMS generally lack the scalability, reliability, secured access to multiple resources via single sign-on and interfaces to provide these features. New development strategies, standards, and tools promise to move the LMS industry forward into a "next generation" of technology and importance.
This paper will interest ISV product managers and engineers of educational software products, chief learning officers and chief technology officers of corporate universities, along with information technology personnel at the community and state college level, including developers of custom applications & application services."
Learning Management Systems Development Strategies for the Next Generation By Neeraj Sangani, Lionbridge Technologies All Rights Reserved | Copyright Lionbridge 2009
White Paper | Copyright Lionbridge 2009 | WP-535-0109-1|Page 1 White Paper
At a Glance New development strategies, standards, and tools promise to move the LMS industry forward into a "next generation" of technology and importance.
Abstract The next generation of Learning Management Systems will enable or simulate a one-to-one student teacher learning environment via adaptive sequencing and navigation. These new products will integrate seamlessly with other best-in-class CMS and administrative applications. They will provide equal access to all, including physically-challenged students through Section 508 compliance, and they will intelligently reuse assessments across LMS and related test engines by conforming to the IMS QTI standard. Existing, standalone LMS generally lack the scalability, reliability, secured access to multiple resources via single sign-on and interfaces to provide these features. But new development strategies, standards, and tools promise to move the LMS industry forward into this "next generation." These strategies include SCORM 2004, SaaS development, and third-party solution enablers such as LDAP-based SSO, and CMS. At the same time, multi-shore, outsourced development options are lowering the overall cost of LMS ownership, improving quality focus, and providing faster time to markets.
Audience This paper will interest ISV product managers and engineers of educational software products, chief learning officers and chief technology officers of corporate universities, along with information technology personnel at the community and state college level, including developers of custom applications & application services.
Introduction Sally, a continuing education student at City College, settles into her chair with a weary sigh and logs into the new Learning Management System (LMS)-ready to waste an afternoon on, well, forms she?s already filled out and presentations of material she already knows. But it?s evident from the first screen that something?s different about this system, and Sally is surprised to find that this new LMS not only has her full administrative information but her career counseling notes and a clear study path outlined for her-right up to her assessments. She?s especially surprised when the system asks, "Would you like to complete a brief review of your Accounting 1A class from last fall before getting started?" Sally confidently and firmly clicks on "NO," and as she moves through the next set of screens, the system seems to anticipate her needs-for example, when it finds that she already has a firm grasp of statistics, it skips lessons 4-6 to get to the actuarial strategies she?s really interested in, along with up-to-the-minute content from industry trade journals. Related topic blocks appear, along with faculty contacts available to help her with additional research. The new system seems as engaging and adaptive as.a real teacher.
White Paper | Copyright Lionbridge 2009 | WP-535-0109-1|Page 2
This kind of online experience is rarely possible today because the current generation of Learning Management Systems (LMS) provide only a loose coupling between their content and the Run-Time Environment (RTE) that underlies their functionality. Standard features generally include little more than static sequencing of authored content, grading, attendance, and reporting at a school, state, and district level. These products often lack the scalability, reliability, and security required by multiple customers simultaneously accessing the applications in large number-and they rarely provide the required interfaces for seamless integration with other enterprise applications such as Student Information Systems, LDAP-based Single Sign On, Content Management Systems, and Certification engines. Nevertheless, the educational goals of both business and academia have shifted from "one size fits all" to personalized and adaptive learning models. Industry is demanding highly-scalable LMS that can be easily integrated with enterprise-wide workflow and that can trigger connected systems through a single sign-on. Making the leap to "adaptive" and "... [download for more]
