Platforms for Managing (Learning)

With colleges and universities turning to online learning as a primary delivery method as a result of the pandemic, a review of learning management systems being used in various institutions provides a timely view of current practices. The review includes brief looks at Blackboard, Brightspace, LearnDash, LinkedIn Learning, Podia, Sakai, Schoology, Skillshare, and Udemy.

Although considering the approaches and features of these types of platforms is useful, it is important to remember that they are systems for “managing” what are typically courses. They are not systems for learning unless and until learning opportunities are designed, developed, and delivered and until students are engaged. In their current states of development, most learning management systems support institutional operational needs, and the gap between institutional needs and learning goals can be considerable.