Minicourse Features & LMS Declaration

Instructional Design Document

Minicourse Features

Readings and Resources

Digital textbooks & guidelines

Multimedia Presentations

Brief information about the course in illustrated form

Discussion Forum

A platform to share questions and answers in informal form

Individual Project

Practical application of gained knowledge

LMS of Choice

For serving my minicourse, I selected Google Classroom LMS, developed by Google.

Classroom Features:

  1. Uploading Materials – ability upload a wide range of materials, including documents, PDFs, images, and videos, to share with students.
  2. Creating Assignments – supports various types of assignments, such as essays, quizzes, presentations, and more.
  3. Discussion Boards – offers a space to create discussion topics where students can engage in threaded discussions.
  4. Grading and Feedback – option to grade assignments directly within Google Classroom,  provide feedback, comments, and annotations on student work.

Pros

This LMS fits my requirements, having these significant pros:

  • Easy to set up: Simple interface to create classes, assignments, and manage student submissions.
  • Familiarity: Many students and teachers are already familiar with Google’s interface, making it easy to adopt.
  • Integration: Seamless integration with other Google services like Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making collaboration straightforward.
  • Cost-effective: It’s a free, budget-friendly option.
  • Mobile Access: Available on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing for flexibility in learning and teaching.
  • Feedback and grading: Streamlined feedback process with the ability to comment directly on assignments, making it easier for teachers to provide detailed feedback.

Cons

Google Classroom has cons, which I consider as insignificant for the current project:

  • Limited Features: Compared to dedicated LMS platforms, it may lack some advanced features like detailed analytics, customizable grading rubrics, or advanced quiz options.
  • Dependency on Internet: Requires a stable internet connection for full functionality, which can be a challenge in some areas.
  • Limited Customization: While it integrates with other Google apps, customization options for the interface and course design are limited.

Support Resources

Getting started with Google Classroom

Official educational portal

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Google Classroom User Guide

PDF manual for teachers

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