Skip to main content
Log in

A Critical Examination Of The Effects Of Learning Management Systems On University Teaching And Learning

  • Published:
Tertiary Education and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The rapid uptake of campus-wide Learning Management Systems (LMS) is changing the character of the on-campus learning experience. The trend towards LMS as an adjunct to traditional learning modes has been the subject of little research beyond technical analyses of alternative software systems. Drawing on Australian experience, this paper presents a broad, critical examination of the potential impact of these online systems on teaching and learning in universities. It discusses in particular the possible effects of LMS on teaching practices, on student engagement, on the nature of academic work and on the control over academic knowledge.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Advanced Distributed Learning Sharable Content Object Reference Model (ADL SCORM). (2003). Advanced Distributed Learning Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), from http://www.adlnet.org/

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameAustralian Department of Employment Education and Training (DEET) (1988) Higher Education: A Policy Statement Australian Government Publishing Service Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Bates (1995) Technology, Open Learning, and Distance Education Routledge London

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Bell D. Bush P. Nicholson D. O’Brien T. Tran (2002) Universities Online: A Survey of Online Education and Services in Australia Department of Employment, Training and Youth Affairs Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackboard. (2003). Blackboard Learning System, from www.blackboard.com

  • Britain S., Liber L. (1999). A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments. ED 443 394

  • Brown S. (2001). Campus Re-Engineering. In Lockwood F., Gooley A. (eds), Innovation in Open and Distance Learning: Successful Development of Online and Web Based Learning. Kogan Page, London

  • J.S. Daniel (1998) Megauniversities and Knowledge Media: Technology Strategies for Higher Education Kogan Page London

    Google Scholar 

  • J.S. Daniel (2003) ArticleTitleOpen and Distance Learning: Technology is the Answer but What is the Question? International Institute for Educational Planning Newsletter 21 IssueID2 14

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Dearing (1997) Higher Education in the Learning Society HMSO Norwich

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutton W.H., Loader B.D. (2002). Introduction: New Media and Institutions of Higher Education and Learning. In Dutton W.H., Loader B.D. (eds), Digital Academe: The New Media and Institutions of Higher Education and Learning. Routledge, London

  • L. Flowers E.T. Pascarella C.T. Pierson (2000) ArticleTitleInformation Technology Use and Cognitive Outcomes in the First Year of College The Journal of Higher Education 71 IssueID6 637–667

    Google Scholar 

  • J.L. Frand (2000) ArticleTitleThe Information Age Mindset: Changes in Students and Implications for Higher Education Educause Review 35 IssueID5 14–24

    Google Scholar 

  • D.R. Garrison T. Anderson (2003) Title E-learning in the 21st Century: A Framework for Research and Practice Routledge Falmer London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert A.D. (2001). The Idea of a University: Enterprise or Academy? Paper presented at the Manning Clark Symposium, Canberra

  • Gillani B.B. (2000). Using the Web to Create Student Centred Curriculum. In Cole R.A. (eds), Issues in Web Based Pedagogy. Greenwood Press, London

  • K.C. Green S.W. Gilbert (1995) ArticleTitleGreat Expectations: Content, Communications, Productivity, and the Role of Information Technology in Higher Education Change 27 IssueID2 8–18

    Google Scholar 

  • D.E. Hanna (1998) ArticleTitleHigher Education in an Era of Digital Communication: Emerging Organisational Models Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 2 IssueID1 66–95

    Google Scholar 

  • IBM Lotus. (2003). Lotus Virtual Classroom, from http://www.lotus.com/products/learnspace.nsf/wdocs/homepage

  • Instructional Management System (IMS). (2003). IMS Global Learning Consortium, from http://www.imsproject.org

  • D.B. Johnstone (1995) ArticleTitleEnhancing the Productivity of Learning Journal for Higher Education Management 11 IssueID1 11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • D.H. Jonassen (1995) Constructivism: Implications for Designs and Delivery of Instruction Scholastics New York

    Google Scholar 

  • D.H. Jonassen S.M. Land (Eds) (2000) Theoretical Foundations of Learning Environments Lawrence Earlbaum New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • R.N. Katz (2003) ArticleTitleBalancing Technology and Tradition Educause Review 38 IssueID4 48–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Kezar A.J. (2000). ERIC Trends 1999–2000: Teaching and Learning. ED 446 654

  • King B. (2001). Making a Virtue of Necessity – A Low Cost, Comprehensive Online Teaching and Learning Environment. In Lockwood F., Gooley A. (eds), Innovation in Open and Distance Learning: Successful Development of Online and Web Based Learning. Kogan Page, London

  • D.A. Kolb (1984) Experiential Learning: Experience as a Source of Learning and Development Prentice Hall New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuh G.D. (2001). Assessing What Really Matters to Student Learning: Inside the National Survey of Student Engagement. Change 33(3), 10–17, 66

    Google Scholar 

  • G.D. Kuh S. Hu (2001) ArticleTitleThe Relationships Between Computer and Information Technology Use, Selected Learning and Personal Development Outcomes, and Other College Experiences Journal of College Student Development 42 IssueID3 217–232

    Google Scholar 

  • G.D. Kuh N. Vesper (2001) ArticleTitleDo Computers Enhance or Detract from Student Learning? Research in Higher Education 42 IssueID1 87–102

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Laurillard (2002) Rethinking University Teaching: A Conversational Framework for the Effective Use of Learning Technologies EditionNumber[second edition] Routledge Falmer London

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Lessig (1999) Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace Basic Books New York

    Google Scholar 

  • D. McCann J. Christmass P. Nicholson J. Stuparich (1998) Educational Technology in Higher Education Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • McInnis C. (2002). Signs of Disengagement? Responding to the Changing Work and Study Patterns of Full Time Undergraduates in Australian Universities. In Enders J., Fulton O. (eds), Higher Education in a Globalising World: A Festschrift in Honour of Ulrich Teichler. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

  • J.P. Merisotis R.A. Phipps (1999) ArticleTitleWhat’s the Difference? Change 31 IssueID3 12–17

    Google Scholar 

  • MIT. (2003). Stellar Learning Management System, from http://stellar.mit.edu/

  • Moe M.T. (2002). The Future: Anticipating 3rd Generation Learning Management Systems. Paper presented at the U21 Global Experience, Inter-Continental Hotel, Singapore

  • Moore M.G. (1993). Three Types of Interaction. In Harry K., John M., Keegan D. (eds), Distance Education: New Perspectives. Routledge, London

  • NextEd. (2003). NextEd, from http://www.nexted.com

  • D. Oblinger J. Kidwell (2000) ArticleTitleDistance Learning: Are we being Realistic? Educause Review 35 IssueID3 30–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Observatory on Borderless Higher Education (OBHE). (2002). Leading Learning Platforms: international market presence, from http://www.obhe.ac.uk

  • Open Knowledge Initiative (OKI). (2003). Open Knowledge Initiative, from http://web.mit.edu/oki/

  • P. Ramsden (1992) Learning to Teach in Higher Education Routledge London

    Google Scholar 

  • Relan A., Gillani B.B. (1996). Web Based Instruction and the Traditional Classroom: Similarities and Differences. In Khan B.H. (eds), Web Based Instruction. Englewood Cliffs: Educational Technology Publications

  • S. Ryan B. Scott H. Freeman D. Patel (2000) The Virtual University: The Internet and Resource-Based Learning Kogan Page London

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai Project (2004). The Sakai Project, from http://www.sakaiproject.org/

  • Smissen I. & Sims R. (2002). Requirements for Online Teaching and Learning at Deakin University: A Case Study. Paper presented at the Eighth Australian World Wide Web Conference, Noosa, Australia

  • Stanford University. (2003). Coursework Learning Management System, from http://www.stanford.edu/group/ats/coursework/

  • M. Turoff (1997) ArticleTitleCosts for the Development of a Virtual University Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 1 IssueID1 28–38

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameUniversity of Melbourne. (2001) University of Melbourne Strategic Plan University of Melbourne Parkville

    Google Scholar 

  • University of Michigan. (2003). Comprehensive Collaborative Framework (CHEF), from https://worktools.si.umich.edu/workspaces/jhardin/016.nsf?opendatabase

  • G.C. Dusen Particlevan (1997) The Virtual Campus: Technology and Reform in Higher Education George Washington University Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • WBT Systems. (2003). TopClass/FirstClass, from http://www.wbtsystems.com/

  • WebCT. (2003). WebCT Vista, from http://www.webct.com/

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hamish coates.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

coates, H., james, R. & baldwin, G. A Critical Examination Of The Effects Of Learning Management Systems On University Teaching And Learning. Tert Educ Manag 11, 19–36 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11233-004-3567-9

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11233-004-3567-9

Keywords

Navigation