2017 May 02 Archive - EXEIdeas – Let's Your Mind Rock

We all know how valuable a teacher’s time is. They usually face time constraints, so some learn the tricks of the trade, few master teaching hacks that help them with one of their primary problems. While there are a lot of different tools that the new age teachers can use to support their activities, it can be difficult to choose effectively the most efficient one that will both save time and improve their students understanding of the subject matter.Today technology has become an integral part of every classroom. The question for the teacher has become first and foremost, with so many options out there, which piece of technology should be used? This is especially true for those that are just learning how to become a teacher in PA, and have yet to set foot in a classroom. There is a seemingly endless array of software programs designed for teachers, so I have compiled a list of the top 8 LMS Software platforms that will help teachers and students achieve their goals in the classroom.1.) Edmodo:Edmodo is a user-friendly system that all teachers should consider using. According to Capterra, a software review company, Edmodo is a “Web-based system that provides content sharing, real-time feedback, communication tools, classroom management for education industry” that encompasses many tools for the new generation teachers. Some of these include classroom management, gamification, a grade book, social learning, and testing and correcting in real-time so students can see your remarks and comments for correction.2.) ProProfsTraining Maker:ProProfs Training Maker is an LMS Software that the new age teachers prefer to use. This software allows you to create quizzes, surveys, and online courses with ease. You can upload video content and other media easily in the course creator, create, administer, and grade tests, track student performance, and there is even an easy way to upload existing material to your courses. There are also compliance reports and other metrics reports that are available through the software. All in all ProProfs Training Maker is an efficient platform in the world of LMS Software.3.) Moodle:Moodle is a versatile cloud-based LMS system that offers a host of solutions for the 21st century teacher. They offer different learning techniques, built-in course authoring, classroom management, grade book management, synchronized and socialized learning, testing, live video conferencing and much more. According to capterra.com, “Moodle is a free online learning management system, providing educators around the world with an open source solution for e-learning that is scalable, customizable and secure with the largest selection of activities available.”4.) Schoology:Schoology is an LMS that took collaboration to the next level, building their platform around the students, parents or guardians, teachers, and their company working together. Schoology offers a focus on academics, different learning techniques, live video conferencing, mobile learning, both K-12 and post-secondary capabilities, a student portal, grade book management, gamification, and much more. According to capterra.com, Schoology is the education technology company putting collaboration at the heart of the learning experience. Schoology’s education cloud connects the people, content, and systems that fuel education, and provides all the tools needed to personalize education and improve student outcomes. Millions of people from 60,000 K-12 schools and universities around the world use Schoology to transform how they teach and learn.5.) Blackboard:Blackboard is used by colleges, K-12 schools, and corporations, and is truly an education technology company. They recognize the constantly evolving landscape of today’s educational systems and strive to stay on top. Offering a host of learning techniques, built-in course authoring, grade book management, testing and assignments as well as live video conferencing and mobile learning, they will strive to stay on top of the latest learning trends as well as lead in technology for education. Capterra.com says “Blackboard is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services for learning and development. Blackboards training and learning solutions are implemented by corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, associations, and government agencies looking for cost-effective ways to deliver training with real impact.”6.) Instructure Canvas LMS:Instructure is a learning platform that incorporates its LMS system Canvas. Canvas was chosen to streamline the California Community College online learning systems for its ease of use and its ease of integration. Canvas offers both post-secondary and k-12 educational abilities, live video conferencing and mobile learning, different learning methods, and a student portal to name a few of its solutions. Canvas says “Through open, usable, cloud-based technologies, Canvas enables easy integration of the content, tools, and services that teachers need and students want. As the most usable, customizable, adaptable, and reliable learning platform (think 99.9% uptime), Canvas is adopted faster and deeper (or, is used in more ways by more users) than any other LMS. So, in the end, investing in 21st century education technology actually makes teaching and learning easier.”7.) WizIQ LMS:WizIQ Inc offers a plethora of e-learning solutions for teachers and students. They are focused on education and academics but also like many of the others in this list, offer solutions for businesses. They offer testing, grading, grade book management, live video conferencing, and just about anything else a teacher would need. Here are some of their numbers from elearningindustry“Over 400,000 educators have leveraged WizIQ to deliver learning services to 4 Million+ learners across 200 countries. WizIQ’s award winning Virtual Classroom solution that enables online delivery of live instructor-led learning has received acclaim from education service providers from around the world.The WizIQ Online Academy Builder represents an evolutionary leap in education technology by empowering education service providers to set up their own customized academies within minutes. Online Academy Builder is designed to increase learner engagement through cutting-edge features, such as mobile learning, video streaming, live online classroom, discussion boards, assessments, insights and analytics.”By taking away the complexities of development and the burden of setup costs and server infrastructure, this solution allows educators to focus on what they know best. Besides, the in-built e-commerce capability enables them to monetize their services and rapidly expand their reach to newer markets.”8.) Brightspace:Last but not the least, Brightspace platform offers easy, flexible, and smart e-learning solutions to help make learning experiences better. A little more geared toward the education sector, Brightspace covers all the basics and then some including Asynchronous, Synchronous learning, blended learning techniques, built-in course authoring, gamification, mobile learning and video conferencing, and a student portal. Capterra.com says, “Brightspace is not a common one-size-fits-all learning management system (LMS). It’s easier to use, more flexible, and smart. With Brightspace, you can personalize the experience for every learner to deliver real results. Brightspace is a world leader in learning analytics: its platform predicts learner performance so that you can take action in real time to keep them on track.”Did we miss out any important one? Do share your opinion in the comments section.About the Author:Jason Grills is an ed-tech enthusiast with a passion for writing on emerging technologies in the areas of corporate training and education. With hands-on experience in working with ProProfs learning management system and other eLearning authoring tools, Jason has an exclusive insight into the eLearning industry.Find Me On GooglePlus