Choosing a learning management system

What is a learning management system (LMS)?

An LMS is a platform that provides tools and resources for educators to create interactive multimedia activities and lessons in an online environment that can be facilitated, self-directed and/or collaborative. Most LMSs allow participants and facilitators to create schedules, track progress, communicate with each other and in groups, and provide and respond to feedback.

If you learn one LMS, your skills and knowledge as a learner, creator or facilitator can be easily transferred to another LMS.

Choosing an LMS

AlphaPlus can help you choose an LMS for use in your program.

We can: 

• Provide you with information about the attributes of each LMS.
• Guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you find the solution that best meets your circumstances and needs.
• Support you as you learn how to create courses, lessons and activities and use the management features that work best for the learners, facilitators and administrators in your program.

Here are examples of charts we made to help programs choose between LMSs:

• Google Classroom and Canvas (2021) 
• D2L, Google Classroom, Moodle and Canvas (2019)

Supporting the use of LMSs in Ontario literacy programs

AlphaPlus supports Ontario literacy practitioners in the use of LMSs to create blended or remote learning opportunities for literacy learners, staff and volunteers.

AlphaPlus supports practitioners who are using Moodle. Get in touch if you want coaching or need some guidance when you get stuck. 

AlphaPlus coaches also support Ontario literacy practitioners who have access to Brightspace (by Desire to Learn, now D2L), Blackboard and/or Google Classroom. 

AlphaPlus has developed expertise in a robust, free, ad-free LMS called Canvas (by Instructure), which is being used by an increasing number of programs.