What is a Learning Management System?
In a word: Organization. These powerful tools provide teachers, students, and parents (if desired) a single point of access to your classroom lessons and resources. Simply put you are able to organize your classes, units, lessons, resources, assignments, test, and more in one universally accessible location. The days of digging through filing cabinets, computer folders, email inboxes, and piles on our desks for that elusive handout are nearing an end. With any one of these LMSs, students gain more control over their learning and are better able to avoid the frustration and embarrassment of not being prepared. Organization as a concept and tool is the next big step toward empowering this generation of learners as they navigate through the Information Age.
Edmodo: Click heading titles to access quick introductory video.
This LMS is very user friendly and full of handy features. If you are a bit uncertain about LMS products, this may be the best way to get your feet wet without too much stress. I've used this system for several years with a lot of success. If you Teach Math/English, Common Core Standards are included with automatic quiz generation based of the standards.
Wikipedia description: "Current uses of Edmodo include posting assignments, creating polls for student responses, embedding video clips, create learning groups, posting quizzes for students to take, and creating a calendar of events and assignments. Students can also turn in assignments or upload assignments for their teachers to view and grade. Teachers can annotate the assignments directly in Edmodo to provide instant feedback."
Schoology:
This LMS has a very clean simple interface, but don't let that you fool you. This is a very powerful and user friendly LMS. This LMS is very similar to Edmodo with each offering slightly different options.
Wikipedia Description: "Schoology.com is a social network for K-12 schools and higher education institutions focused on collaboration, that allows users to create, manage, and share academic content. Visually and functionally similar to Facebook,[1] the service includes attendance records, online gradebook, tests and quizzes, and homework dropboxes. The social media features facilitate collaboration among a class, a group, or a school.[2] Schoology can be integrated with existing school reporting and information systems[3] and also provides the added security, filters and support that school districts require.[3]"
Canvas:
Canvas is the new kid on the block and like all "new kids" it seems very promising and very powerful. Based on my current understanding of this LMS, it appears to have more features than Edmodo and Schoology, and it has great support and training online. From collaboration to creating assignments/test, this LMS is loaded with options. Also, the ability to import other Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, etc. courses makes setting up a Canvas course that much easier.
All of these LMSs are good choices that will help make your year a little easier to manage. From automatic quiz generation and checking to advanced collaboration features for students and staff, this is "One More Thing" that will help free up some space on that metaphorical plate.