Why Course Management Systems?

There are many factors that are responsible for starting the movement towards virtual education. Course management systems are extremely popular in schools today, and one reason is because of the advancement of technology in society. Today’s culture is accustomed to instant gratification and immediate access to knowledge and updates. Getting report cards through “snail mail” and giving assignments in person can be easily lost or confused, and would cause impatience from both students and parents. We are now so used to easy 24-hour access to information that education making the shift to online course management seems obvious. The use of this technology consolidates emails, class rosters, grades, assignments, and more in one place that is easy to use for all. Princeton makes the argument for course management systems by pointing out all the different uses of these sites, which in turn save educators, students, and parents time and money. Which brings us to our next factor in the movement toward virtual education – the economical benefits! Instead of spending money on paper and ink and supplies, course management systems contain all the information online. Many of these systems also contain the ability to upload course materials such as textbooks and articles that have high costs or would charge too much to print (not to mention all the trees that are saved).  These are just a few of the many factors that have led to the wide usage of course management systems.