Navigate 3.1.3 Tools within the LMS Quest

There are many tools available in a Learning Management System.  Some of the most valuable tools are the discussion boards, the dropbox, and the alerts.




The discussion board feature of a Learning Management System can be used to enhance learning in the classroom. Discussion boards give students an opportunity to express themselves and their learning.  They are also able to ask questions and exchange ideas. Discussion boards improve student's writing skills and their critical thinking.  Teachers are also able to go back and see who is participating in the discussion and document that engagement.




The dropbox is a folder or area in which a learner can upload a document, presentation, or images for a more formal assessment. This is crucial to a paperless society that we strive to be. This powerful learning practice makes a teacher's life much easier. She can easily see who has turned in their work and students are no longer able to say "I gave it to you. You must have lost it." Teachers are also able to see when the work was submitted and can give feedback and allow students to modify their work as needed. I find that most all my students from 6th grade to 12th grade are required to submit 80% of their work in this fashion.




Lastly, I think a very important part of a Learning Management System is an alert feature. Most of our students are still improving on their organization skills and taking a course through a Learning Management System can be overwhelming. Teacher can set up automatic alerts to inform students when an assignment is due.  Alerts can even be tailored for students who need assignments broken down in to smaller tasks.