• Written by Scott Bivens
• Category Online training
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Last time, we identified tools like Teams, Zoom, and Office 365 provided excellent building blocks for successful professional development training. If digital obstacles arose, we had the resident skillset to develop web-based dissemination portals that only required participants to have Internet access. The reactive approach of content delivery and frequent single-use nature of work-for-hire content meant we would have to reinvent at least part of the wheel for each new client with slightly different needs. A better solution is needed. Enter the learning management system, or LMS.

A functional LMS is a platform for managing and delivering web-based educational content, tracking student progress, facilitating communication, and supporting effective content engagement and collaboration (Lynch, 2017). Modern, commercial off-the-shelf tools make course creation and content management even easier and allow me to spend more time on quality content. The frontrunner for consideration is Google Classroom due to the relative ease of use and widespread adoption of the integrated file sharing, VTC platform, email, spreadsheet, and word processor applications which function like Office tools. Students receive reminders and time management support, and the suite of applications supports both synchronous and asynchronous content delivery, multiple collaborative opportunities, and invitation access to external experts (Langevin, 2021). Additionally, content made available in multiple ways further personalizes instruction and promotes meaningful engagement (Smith, n.d.). Did I mention it's FREE to the student to use the tools, enrollment fees aside?

With a primary audience of healthcare professionals, any LMS implemented will serve as the hub for course content and information not publicly facing or reliant on the practice EMR, practice management, or billing software. Leveraging Google Classroom as our LMS effectively integrates free web-based applications into our clinic training technology web and ties training content to the tools participants use daily.

References:

Langevin, S. (2021). Google Classroom. Common Sense Education. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/google-classroom 

Lynch, M. (2017). 5 must have classroom management apps , tools, and resources. Retrieved from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/5-must-classroom-management-apps-tools-resources/ 

Smith, S. J. (n.d.). Invited In: Measuring UDL in Online Learning. Retrieved from https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/a0fb3b2b-3cf7-4bd9-a8d1-41b02af175ee/content