The Institute for Learning and Teaching

Certificate in Learning Management Systems

Learning Management Systems (LMS) have been widely adopted across institutions of higher education as a method of instructional delivery. While LMS are often used for distance education programs, they are also becoming widespread in "blended" or "hybrid" courses. These courses deliver instruction face-to-face with an online component, which supplements the course. At CSU, our LMS is named Ram Course Technology, or RamCT. RamCT provides the instructor a means to post the course syllabus, content, and grades online. It also provides an assortment of online communication tools including discussions, email, instant messaging and chat rooms/whiteboards.

The Certificate in Learning Management Systems, which requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours, will enable you to:

• Understand the importance of LMS in contemporary college education.
• Learn about basic LMS functions.
• Learn the assortment of tools available for course delivery on RamCT.
• Gain knowledge of multiple pedagogical approaches well-suited for courses using LMS.
• Gain hands-on experience with LMS, including the opportunity to develop learning modules within RamCT and to build an online course.

General Requirements

• Register for and attend the series of free Computer Training and Support Services (CTSS) workshops on RamCT and write Workshop Responses (download the workshop review form) for each. Each workshop is approximately 1.5 hours in length and most include a hands-on lab experience. For the workshop schedule, descriptions of the sessions, and to register online, please visit the CTSS Web site at http://www.ctss.colostate.edu/. The RamCT workshops include:
• Fundamentals/Getting Started
• Learning Modules and Folders
• Communication Tools
• Grade Book

• Creating and Managing Assessments
• Assignments and Groupwork
• Best Practices in Online Course Delivery
• Course Developer/Designer Guidelines
• Complete the Teaching ePortfolio requirements.

Options

• Teaching with a Learning Management System. Participate in ten hours of teaching or teaching-related activities involving a Learning Management System. If you are a GTA or a GRA assigned to help teach a course or assist an instructor in building an online course, your experience in either activity will contribute to your knowledge of LMS functions and pedagogies.

More Information

• Creating a Teaching ePortfolio. The primary record of your work on the Certificate in Learning Management Systems will be presented in a Teaching ePortfolio, which will be published on the TILT Web site. Each portfolio will consist of several documents, detailed on the ePortfolio page. Learn More ...
• Applying for the Certificate. To complete work on your Certificate in Learning Management Systems, you must submit your application packet. Your packet and ePortfolio will be reviewed by a member of the Graduate Teaching Certificates Review Board. When your application is approved, your name and a link to your ePortfolio will be listed on the TILT Web site. Learn More ...