elearnspace

LMS and LCMS: What’s the Difference?
Quote: “In essence, an LMS is a high-level, strategic solution for planning, delivering, and managing all learning events within an organization, including online, virtual classroom, and instructor-led courses…In contrast, the focus of an LCMS is on learning content. It gives authors, instructional designers, and subject matter experts the means to create e-learning content more efficiently.”
Comment: Gives a decent overview of the differences between LMS/LCMS (the best articles I’ve come across explaining this is: LCMS = LMS + CMS [RLOs]. A new technology is often defined by the things it needs to make explicit in order to be understood (i.e. – what does our product do that others don’t…or why need this product). Sometimes, the benefit derived from a product is presented as being achievable only through “product XYZ” or in a particular formation. This is false…and I think this is my issue with both LMS and LCMS. These products are presented (often unspoken) as being the only/best way to “do” elearning…leaving the victims of a sales presentation to think that no other viable options exist. This, no doubt, explains WebCT/Blackboard’s rapid growth – their products have been positioned as being the backbone of elearning…and now LCMS companies want a piece of the action by positioning their products as being the backbone of learning object creation/management. The functions that LMS/LCMS provide are no doubt an important element of elearning…currently, however, we are only seeing a one-sided, corporate driven picture.