Online learning was already starting to gain traction as a popular means of education. Then, as a global pandemic swept over every corner of the world, it became a necessity. Over the past 18 months as online learning has been extensively rolled out by schools, colleges and universities everywhere, people are now realizing just how beneficial it can actually be.
With the flexibility, time management, low cost and range of courses available through online learning, it’s no surprise that the likes of Merrimack College are seeing such an increase in people signing up for their online courses. Thanks to the high-quality lessons that students can go over at their own pace, more people than ever are managing to take their career to the next step. Please visit https://online.merrimack.edu/ for more information about Merrimack’s online education programs.
Of course, what makes these classes work so well is not only the quality of the college that uses them but also the systems they use to run their classes on. With that in mind, below is a list of some of the best free LMS Software Systems that are used by online educators.
1. TalentLMS
Built with the intent to support blended learning curriculums that mix both self-paced courses and instructor-led classes, TalentLMS is the go-to choice for institutions all around the world. Teachers are able to import existing courses so that students can pick them up and learn from them whenever they see fit, whereas if there is an instructor-led class, there are plenty of resources available so that these lessons are filled with helpful information.
2. Google Classroom
Is there anything that Google can’t do? By allowing teachers to create their own classes, prepare and distribute both assignments and grades as well as send feedback, Google Classroom has everything that educators working remotely will ever need. The customizable privacy settings on this LMS also come in handy as they allow teachers to show their screen when teaching a class, give permission to students to share theirs when doing a presentation and even lock everything down if there is a quiz going on.
3. Thinkific
Using this software, teachers are able to create and brand their own lessons using whatever they see fit by using a drag-and-drop course authoring tool. Thinkific courses support a variety of content type, including videos, texts and quizzes, depending on what the teacher sees fit for that specific subject.
4. Canvas
This is an open source LMS solution that has been built with the intention of accommodating both K-12 and higher educational institutions. If you are working on a budget then Canvas can be incredibly helpful as it offers a free-for-teacher option, that features assessments, grading, online learning discussions and a class syllabus.
5. Schoology
By combining both instructional tools, assessments, collaboration features and advanced analytics into one platform, Schoology is incredibly effective when it comes to online learning. Teachers are available to both build and send course materials, facilitate different discussions and assign tests and quizzes with ease.
