This document discusses the differences between course management systems (CMS), learning management systems (LMS), and learning content management systems (LCMS). A CMS is used for content creation and organization while an LMS manages learner registration and progress tracking. An LCMS focuses on developing and storing instructional content that can then be delivered through an LMS. The lines between LMS and LCMS are blurring as many LCMS now incorporate LMS functionality for content delivery and administration. Key considerations for these systems include integration capabilities and support for pedagogical frameworks and content reuse.

2. An LCMS …An LCMS is a system used primarily for development, maintenance, tagging, and storage of instructional content. During development, it is used to import and store assets that will be used to create a learning object; and create and store content objects. The LCMS may have workflow process functionality and the ability to tag assets and content objects with metadata. If set up to work with dynamic delivery, an LCMS will assemble the proper assets on-the-fly to create a learning object. While many LCMS can deliver content, they usually do not have the administrative functionality of an LMS. Many LCMS can export content in a variety of different formats.

3. LMS/LCMSs in use.

4. http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1674870/LMSs_in_Use

5. LMS/LCMSs known.

6. http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1674896/LMSs_Known_to_eLearning_Professionals

7. What’s the difference?

8. I’m not sure it matters any more…

9. An LMS manages learners and keep track of their progress and performance (Brandon Hall Research, n.d.). LMSs can often manage the scheduling, registrations and administration of learning options, including self-paced and instructor led, with more global reporting.

10. An LCMS creates content and the delivery of content. Includes content creation, collaboration tools, RLOs.

11. Brandon Hall Research (n.d.) presents a comparison chart (http://www.brandon-hall.com/free_resources/lms_and_lcms.shtml) for differences. They also report that 74% of LCMSs include LMS functionality.

12. Except a lot of people will call WebCT/Blackboard/Desire2Learning an LMS, which it’s not … maybe an argument for a learning content management system.

13. Issues to consider …

14. Integration with existing systems (e.g., HR, KM)

15. Integration from previous LMS/LCMS (…hence SCORM)

16. Analytics and granularity of reporting

17. Integration with external authoring systems (e.g., reporting)

18. Pedagogical framework (explicit or covert)

19. Granularity of content creation

20. Metadata/tagging

21. Content reuse, content repositoryReferences & Acknowledgements<br />Brandon Hall Research. (n.d.). LMS and LCMS demystified. Brandon-hall.com. Retrieved from http://www.brandon-hall.com/free_resources/lms_and_lcms.shtml<br />Dabbagh, N. & Bannan-Ritland, B. (2005). Online learning: Concepts, strategies, and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.<br />Helion-Prime Solutions Ltd. (2008). Cutting edge content management. PRlog.org. Retrieved from http://www.prlog.org/10056268-cutting-edge-content-management.html <br />Mott, J. & Wiley, D. (2009). Open for learning: The CMS and the open learning network. Education, 15(2). Retrieved from http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/2121<br />Wang, H., & Gearhart, D.L. (2006). Designing and developing web-based instruction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.<br />Special thanks to Deborah Adams, Matt McClean, Chuck Hodges, Nancy Leininger, Bill Brescia, Elizabeth Boling, Ward Cates, MJ Bishop, David Wiley, Kevin Thorn, Kevin Oliver, Yuri Quintana, Robin Navel, Joan Davis, David Lindenberg, Mindy Fisher, Corey Johnson, Dennis Charksy, Michael Barbour, and Tom Hergert for contributing to these notes and presentation.<br />