Unlike on-premise learning management system (LMS) software, cloud-based LMS solutions can be customized and scaled on demand. An enterprise can customize a cloud-based LMS platform to train its employees, customers, and channel partners. At the same time, an educational institution can customize the same cloud-based LMS solution to deliver online education and continue online classes.
But many edtech companies and startups these days develop LMS solutions to meet the precise elearning needs of schools. Some of these best LMS platforms are developed with built-in features and tools to digitalize K-12 (from kindergarten to 12th grade) model. Also, some of these LMS platforms come with complimentary digital libraries to enable school students to access educational content in multiple formats and regional languages.
At the same time, the best school LMS systems can be customized according to the precise needs of individual schools. While comparing LMS platforms, decision-makers must compare the elearning software to cater to the precise needs of K-12 schools. They need to ensure that the students can access and use the LMS platform seamlessly. The decision-makers should also prepare an elaborate list of LMS systems for schools by collecting information from diverse sources.
List of LMS systems for Schools: Shortlisting some of the Best K12 LMS Systems
Mintbook
The cloud-based LMS platform is developed as a unified elearning solution for schools. The students can acquire knowledge by accessing a wide range of digital content in the complementary digital library – ebooks, presentations, videos, and quizzes – by accessing Mintbook LMS Solution on computers or mobile devices. In addition to supporting the blended learning model, this customizable LMS keeps students engaged and motivated by supporting mobile learning, gamified learning, and microlearning. It is one of the new-age elearning solutions that support video conferencing with whiteboards. Mintbook is further integrated with a robust library that included educational content from reputable publishers in multiple languages.
Schoology
Schoology is one of the LMS platforms that focus extensively on meeting the elearning needs of K-12 schools. It comes with features and options to make students absorb and retain knowledge by keeping them engaged. At the same time, Schoology provides schools with a platform for bringing together students, teachers, coaches, and parents. A school can further deliver and manage online education efficiently leveraging over 200 edtech tools and platforms integrated into this popular LMS platform for schools. It also has the option to create courses using native content authoring tools or accessing ready-to-use digital content.
Blackboard Learn
Despite being developed as an easy-to-use LMS, Blackboard Learn helps schools to enable students to learn anytime and anywhere. It promotes knowledge acquisition and retention through course content that is both easy to access and use. At the same time, students also have the option to answer questions and clear doubts by availing of personalized and on-time support through the LMS. Blackboard Learn makes it easier for teachers to create courses and assignments using robust tools. The educators and administrators can further leverage built-in learning analytics to make informed decisions based on course-specific and institution-wide data.
LearnDash LMS
LearnDash is one of the LMS platforms developed using a widely used content management system (CMS) like WordPress. In addition to simplifying the development of branded learning portals, this LMS comes with a drag-and-drop course builder and advanced quizzing options. At the same time, LearnDash boosts learner experience and engagement by providing useful features like discussion forums, leaderboards, and gamification options like badges, certificates, and course points. Many schools and educators these days leverage LearnDash LMS to generate recurring revenue by selling various online courses. They also have the option to extend this WordPress-based LMS by integrating it with many popular apps.
BrightSpace
The online learning platform is developed by Desire2Learn (D2L) with the aim to transform the experience of educators and learners. BrightSpace for K-12 comes with features and tools to engage and motivate students in a variety of ways. It enables teachers to keep students engaged and motivates in a virtual learning environment by providing contextual and timely feedback. The teachers also have the option to share feedback in both audio and video formats. The educators can further teach students effectively by sharing videos by accessing off-the-shelf educational content. At the same time, they can personalize learning paths according to a student’s grade.
Canvas LMS
Instructure allows users to choose from several editions of Canvas LMS. Schools can leverage the K-12 edition of Canvas LMS to enable students to acquire knowledge anytime and anywhere. Canvas enables students and teachers to access all materials and instructions from a centralized location. However, it facilitated learning experience personalization by delivering appropriate content and instructions to every student. Canvas helps teachers to focus only on boosting learning experience and knowledge retention by automating learning management activities. In addition to coming with many built-in features, Canvas LMS can be integrated seamlessly with widely used edtech apps and tools.
Google Classroom
This web service is not developed by Google as a learning management system. But Google Classroom is used widely by schools as a simple alternative to LMS platforms. A school can leverage this web service to manage multiple classes from a centralized location. Also, Google Classroom comes with built-in tools to create class assignments, create quizzes, schedule routine activities, and track student progress. A school can further use this web service to conduct online classes through Google Meet. Alphabet has announced its plan to launch the paid edition of Google Classroom that can be integrated with widely used edtech tools.
ScriptoPro
The new-age LMS solution helps schools to enable students to learn anytime and anywhere by creating online courses and quizzes. ScriptoPro comes with built-in features to simplify content management, class management, and performance measurement. The educators can avail themselves of the features and tools provided by the LMS to measure student performance by creating online quizzes. Also, they can generate reports based on real-time learner data to track learner progress and performance. At present, the developers are allowing schools to use ScriptoPro for free for one year.
Moodle
Many schools opt for Moodle to curtail elearning costs by leveraging its open-source nature. Despite being an open-source LMS, Moodle is developed as a flexible, customizable, and scalable elearning platform. The learners can access Moodle on both computers and mobile devices. The administrator can see past, current, and future courses directly on the dashboard. Likewise, educators can track and measure student progress based on both course completion and ongoing activities. They can further upload courses and generate elaborate reports without putting in extra time and effort.
Learnie
Learnie is developed as a community learning platform. The LMS platform comes with features to decentralize and democratize learning. Both teachers and students can leverage this online platform to upload and share short video content. The educators can create microlearning courses by integrating microlearning videos sequentially. They also have the option to integrate quizzes and transcripts into every microlearning course. Many schools these days leverage Learnie to enable students to share ideas and showcase expertise. Also, they make it easier for students to absorb and retain knowledge by implementing one of the hottest elearning trends like microlearning.
The worldwide LMS market for education has been growing consistently. Hence, decision-makers can easily prepare an elaborate list of LMS systems for schools based on online information. But they must remember that the LMS solutions for educational institutions differ from each other in many aspects, including accessibility, usability, features, and customizability. That is why; they must identify and consider the precise elearning needs of their K-12 school while comparing these best LMS platforms.
