I began this class not knowing what to expect, having no formal knowledge of learning management systems. I did not recognize that two programs popularly used in K12 environments, PowerSchool and Google Classroom, were learning management systems. This course provided a considerable professional learning experience! It is so encouraging to learn and experience information and skills that apply to my personal goals and professional growth. I just realized the depth of information needed to become an online teacher. Now that I have experienced creating a course shell in Canvas and taking a back-end approach to Google Classroom, I look forward to the possibility of course development. The comparisons of learning management systems will be significant in the preparation of helping my school system choose another LMS. I am curious whether we will keep Google Classroom and add another LMS. Still, Google Classroom is not a sufficient LMS for advancing and including our newly revised state curriculum to help our students in their academic performance and progress.

The resources, information, and support shared by my classmates were a welcome inclusion to my knowledge and skills. The feedback from classmates and instructors has positioned my self-direction toward my continuing research of learning management systems. While I have worked in corporate and academic environments, I recognize the importance of LMS in learning and training. I also recognize the LMS’s impact on the K12 environment, as many families opt for out-of-school learning. As educators and families struggle with the recent incidents of school violence, I see a greater need for school systems to utilize a comprehensive learning management system. Many families will consider at-home learning options, making learning management systems necessary for total virtual or online learning instead of just in school instructional support.

Reflecting on this class experience, I realize the greater importance and influence that LMS has had on all education stakeholders and corporate constituents with the convenience of learning anywhere and anytime. The inclusion of varied technologies in the LMS integration can include analytics, interoperability, augmented reality, social networks, and virtual reality, expanding not only the technologies but benefiting all users through the ease of navigation and 24/7 availability. Bouchrika (2023) states that LMS systems today do more than host and deploy courses but leverage analytics that brings a deeper understanding of student performance and the whole learning experience with 360-degree visibility. While there is significant complexity in the development, implementation, and management of learning management systems, the trends in LMS growth and development focus on student performance, personalized learning, improving school operations, and the availability of data and analytics.  

In addition to the research and learned information, I found the practicum of creating a course shell a meaningful experience. Understanding course design helped me to analyze what I would like to have in a course menu to assist students in navigating the course easily so that their focus would be on content and not the complexity of finding information or instructions.  This course was delivered at a time in my degree program that was a culmination of the other classes in its applicability and importance to my goals. Its importance will be instrumental in my ability to provide some informational and practical knowledge to my school decision making process on choosing an LMS. Not only was the class informative and meaningful, I enjoyed it.

Bouchrika, I. (2023). 10 Top LMS Trends: Technologies Driving Learning Management Systems. Taken from: https://research.com/education/lms-trends.

Best Learning Management System for Educational Institutions: A Comprehensive Guide for Administrators and Educators. (2023). Taken from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/best-learning-management-system-educational-institutions-comprehensive/.