Why Course Management System?

As I review the website R-Campus (http://www.rcampus.com/ ) I am impressed with the tools and flexibility it offers teachers, administrators and students. Being a special education teacher the Course Management tool would be invaluable to remind students of the assignment and when they are due. The site can be used for collaboration within either the class or through collaboration from the larger R-campus community. Teachers can use the site as a repository for students’ assignments, grades and group communications.

For 21st century students it is important for them to be an active participant in their learning. According to the article, The Change Agents by C. Lemke and E. Coughlin, “students expect to interact with and have a voice in everything they do – and that includes learning”. More important to student’s then a calendar of reminders, is the ability to share ideas and have discussions with not only community peers but to collaborate with different schools in 250 countries.

The concern I had, as most technology immigrants may have is the concern of opening up school and home networks to a “free and open access” website. But, as I delved further I found this website to be secure. Teachers have the ability to read each blog post prior to it being posted, classes can be setup with a code in order to enter the classroom. Another concern is how to gain the support needed to successfully implement a Course Management System (CMS). This can be done by educating your administration and peers on the security of the site and the collaboration tools that students need to succeed.

If you would like to see a demonstration of RC Campus/Solutions check out http://www.screentoaster.com/watch/stUEhUQkBIRFtWQFVbU11cUVNS/recording_12_16_pm it is a screentoaster demo I did of the tools available for teachers at the RC Solutions website.