Learning Management Systems and the Death of the Textbook Ushers in Age of the E-learning
In that long ago time previous to the information era, e-learning tools like learning management systems were a mere idea still undeveloped. Most instructional material was paper-based, meaning its authors were subject to the will of the publishing industry, and its profit model. Trainers might have thrown a few video or audio aids into the mix, often willy-nilly, but otherwise, paper was everything.
Nowadays, of course, publishing continues to be a big and elaborate industry. And the idea of developing and selling instructional material is still compelling for many people with skill and knowledge in a particular field.
But the traditional, paper-based method of creating and delivering instructional material continues to be difficult for all involved–and expensive.
Textbook fees have grown immensely in recent years, even though the content authors often do not see much of the profit. According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, textbook prices have outpaced inflation 2-to-1 in the past two decades. The significance for university and college students is easy to see. Especially for students who pay their own way through college, including their own textbook, tuition, housing, food, and other expenses, hundreds of dollars each semester on books alone is an unreasonable amount.
Considering these facts about the textbook industry and where it is headed, the picture is fairly clear for paper-based instructional material developers. It’s an ugly one.
That is why an increasing number of subject matter experts are taking their learning content online. Learning management systems (LMSs) and other elearning systems allow course developers a full range of tools as well as absolute power over their learning material.
Some of these tools are podcast recording, video, animation, screen and audio recording, and simple migration tools. Web 2.0 tools are also a great option for allowing students to discuss, collaborate, and share information.
Unlike when an author’s textbook is published, when one’s elearning content is put on the market, the author maintains full control over it. As an author, you can choose to change it, delete parts of it or all of it, or syndicate it on other web publishers’ websites for maximum exposure and an expanded market.
Of course, the preparation and organization of learning material still takes time. But actually uploading your elearning content to a learning management system is typically a simple and often free process–not to mention fun.