JISC

Learning Activity Management System

Background information

The JISC evaluation of LAMS is now complete, although access to the UK LAMS server will continue to be supported by JISC until the end of July 2005, to minimise disruption to classes using the system. The LAMS evaluation report from this project is now available. The report by Dr Liz Masterman, Learning Technologies Group, Oxford University Computing Services, of the LAMS pre-training questionnaires is now available. This report revealed valuable insights into uses of ICT across the sector and found that the principal potential benefits of LAMS from the practitioners’ perspective lie in improvements to their own practice and in the enhancement of students’ learning experience.

On April 13 2005, LAMS became officially open source software under a GPL licence.

Tools used in the evaluation of LAMS

• Expression of interest form 
• Pre-training questionnaire 
• Design questionnaire 
• LAMS User Spreadsheet
• Instructions on setting up student accounts on LAMS

LAMS Evaluation workshop

A LAMS Evaluation Workshop was held on 11 January 2005 in Birmingham. See a  summary of the event together with supporting presentations.

Further information on LAMS

LAMS Evaluation project page
Review of Learning Design: Concept, Specifications and Tools 
LAMS Evaluation Mailing List
SST LAMS Trail
LAMS International
Learning Design inspiration
Implementing learning design: the learning activity management system [PDF]

Evaluation of learning design tools

The evaluation methodology developed for this project is now being extended to other tools used for designing for learning. To develop further our understanding of how practitioners currently use technology to design learning activities, two additional evaluation projects have been funded.

• Dr Stuart Lee and Dr Liz Masterman from Oxford University are evaluating the use of mind-mapping software, content-authoring software and word templates for supporting practitioners with their design of learning activities.
• Dr Mira Vogel, from the Centre for Excellence in Learning Technology (CELT), Goldsmiths, University of London in partnership with Dr Martin Oliver at the Institute of Education, are evaluating practitioners’ use of Moodle, Blackboard and WebCT for designing learning activities.

Both projects will involve practice from across the post-16 and higher education sectors and will run from April to December 2005.

For further information about these evaluation projects please contact: Sarah Knight, Programme Manager.