The Missing Link to Enhanced Course Management Systems: Adopting Learning Content Management Systems in the Educational Sphere

Abstract

The capabilities of the current generation of course management systems (CMS) are limited; even market-leading platforms are arguably inadequate for the needs of learners, instructors, and educational administrators. This chapter reviews the shortcomings of CMS and identifies problems associated with content capture, content re-use, search and retrieval, document management, IP management, connectivity, support for open standards, and support for learning strategies. We argue that the future lies in the adoption and adaptation of existing learning content management systems (LCMS). LCMS have evolved primarily in the corporate market and are rapidly developing into highly flexible applications that can implement a wide variety of learning and knowledge management strategies.