9 August 2023
What comes to mind when one says education technology? Effective tools and solutions that simplify the administrative functions of institutes is the first thought that crosses our minds. However, its benefits lie beyond that, especially in improving teaching delivery methods.
No wonder, the learning management system is one of the most in-demand tools that schools and colleges have adopted. And one of the most vital components of the system is its customizability and localisation abilities.
How does the LMS benefit the Educational Institutes ?
1. Localizes Educational Content
Localisation is the process of adapting a service or product according to a particular locale or market; it is a significant strategy that institutes implement to provide a supportive learning environment.
In the context of education, institutes can integrate localisation by adapting the system to support multiple languages, cultural conventions and traditions. And the first step involves translating the user interface and content into specific languages and then carrying out other related tasks.
Besides, the LMS is instrumental in making education more accessible and equitable in the following ways.
- Language dependency as a means of instruction is no longer the ideal way to teach students, especially after the declaration and launch of NEP 2020.
- The new education policy emphasised multilingualism, as per which teachers will use vernacular language( mother tongue) as a medium of teaching until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.
- Therefore, teachers can utilise the learning management system to translate the course content and education material into the target languages.
- Students in primary classes aged 5 to 12 have the ability to pick up languages; hence teachers can use the tool to teach them additional languages.
- Additionally, facilitating education in their mother tongue makes it easier for students to grasp a better understanding of concepts.
2. Personalised and Adaptive Learning
The teacher-centric approach has been dominant in the education system for the longest time, giving little to no scope for figuring out individual students’ issues. Thankfully, in the last few years, we have witnessed a positive shift wherein schools employ various methods.
For instance, the student-centric approach is not just a passing trend; teachers implement it to make learning more wholesome. In fact, that is where learning tools like the LMS finds its optimum use.
Besides, learning and understanding levels are not the same for all students; some excel faster than others, while some lag behind. And teachers can play a significant role in helping the ones who struggle by identifying the learning gaps.
Moreover, when teachers can personalise the learning as per the student’s needs, that is when we can call it the best LMS software in India, as it can accomplish many things, such as:
- Customising course content according to the learner’s level.
- Developing personalised assessments.
- Creating quizzes and microlearning sessions that help students and teachers keep track of their learning.
- Providing students with the required platform to create, design and complete their assignments.
3. Collaborative Learning
Technology has a bad reputation for deepening the communication gap, as evident from people being more interested in their phones than having an interaction. However, on the flip side, technology provides myriad ways of connecting with others.
We can use apps to connect with people sitting miles away, and that is exactly what the best LMS software in India facilitates. It provides a common medium for students to connect with their classmates, peers and teachers.
In fact, teachers can integrate other compatible tools with the LMS, enabling students to collaborate with each other during projects. Furthermore, chatbots and discussion boards are effective applications allowing stakeholders to communicate effectively.
Consequently, team members can keep each other in the loop regarding all matters concerning administration, admission and learning.
4. Hybrid Classroom Sessions
The traditional schooling system is no longer the only way institutes can facilitate education; online learning has gained massive momentum in the past few years. However, that does not mean they must abandon one structure and adopt the latter entirely.
Circumstances were such that remote learning was our sole option, but institutes could integrate it within the traditional education structure. And that is where the learning management system comes into use; the software enables teachers to conduct online classes effectively.
At the same time, it can help them improve the quality of in-person classroom sessions as well, thereby helping to conduct hybrid classroom sessions.
For instance, they can include the following activities:
- Using interactive whiteboards to brainstorm ideas and solutions to specific problems.
- Surveys to ask learners about topics they are eager to discuss.
- Providing pre-recorded lessons.
- Multimedia worksheets for individual groups of students.
- Using video-conferencing tools to have interactive sessions with students.
Besides, this learning model provides flexibility, enabling students to learn at their pace and providing time and space to master a skill.
5. Learning Assessment
How far have the students progressed? Which are the major areas where students are struggling? Who are the at-risk students? These are some crucial questions that teachers must find an answer to.
Traditional exams assess students’ subject knowledge that they can obtain by rote memorisation and cramming. However, they are ineffective in measuring students’ learning and understanding levels or improving their learning habits.
On the other hand, teachers can use formative assessments as means of tracking students’ academic progress. They can implement the following:
- Tests and quizzes at the beginning and end of a lesson assess the pre-existing knowledge and what they understood, respectively.
- Qualitative questions are an excellent way to assess their point of view, and it allows students to write an answer in their own words.
6. Comprehensive Learning Management
Whether it is an offline or online education, the best LMS software in India is well-equipped to facilitate high-quality teaching and learning. In fact, the software supports e-learning technical standards such as SCORM, enabling institutes to integrate suitable learning resources and apps.
Therefore, teachers can utilise various content, including text, images, audio and video. In addition, the availability of assessment, feedback and reporting features allows teachers to keep continuous track of students’ learning journeys.
Final Thoughts,
Learning management systems are more than just assistive education technology, which automates administrative activities and improves educational techniques. The localisation and customisation features help to cater to diverse learning needs.
Gaurav Somani,
Academic Consultant