Integrating a Learning Management System into the Instructional Program and Learning Process: Challenges and Advantages
Oğuzhan Bozoğlu *
School of Foreign Languages, Gebze Technical University, Turkey.
Selin Armağan
School of Foreign Languages, Gebze Technical University, Turkey.
Çağlayan Erdönmez
School of Foreign Languages, Kocaeli University, Turkey.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges to and advantages of integrating a learning management system (LMS) into the instructional program and learning process in a higher education institution department in Turkey.
Study Design: The study employs a qualitative case study design in which the integration of a specific learning management system in a specific setting is examined in line with the aim of the study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in a medium-sized (27 instructors and 550 students) higher education department at the beginning of the 2016-2017 academic year, during which the learning management system was integrated to the curriculum and used for one month.
Methodology: The data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews with the two administrators (those who found, configured and put the system into use), five instructors and twenty students who showed willingness to participate in the study. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data was analyzed by three independent researchers. The researchers coded the data individually and met at periodical intervals to discuss the emergent categories and themes. The final themes and sub-themes were agreed on by all the researchers in the study.
Results: The findings of the study indicate that integrating LMS to the curriculum requires a thorough and systemic understanding of the needs of schools and a considerable amount of time; which were identified as the main challenges. However, the advantages of LMS integration into the school-wide instructional program were diverse: easy grading and attendance tracking, effective communication, accessibility, various e-learning opportunities for students and new assessment and evaluation tools.
Conclusion: Despite certain challenges in the first phases of integration, learning management systems can be extremely useful tools to redesign the instructional curriculum and learning in a more effective and efficient way. This study provides modest insights into the integration of learning management systems into the curriculum and may help other practitioners in the area learn more about the subject.
Keywords: Learning management system, language learning, curriculum, technology integration