Continuing education (CE) and workforce development (WFD) solutions comprise purpose-built software designed to support the management of students enrolled in noncredit, non-degree-seeking courses and programs. CE/WFD solutions enable institutions to administer nontraditional programs by supporting specialized requirements for registration, enrollment and credit card payments associated with short-track courses or programs that are not aligned with traditional scheduling terms and time frames. For clarity, these software solutions are focused on supporting the administration of CE/WFD programs and student records.
Gartner defines higher education learning management systems (LMSs) as the central hub for teaching and learning technologies, offering access to a variety of tools and services both inside and outside of the platform. The LMS directs learners to learning resources, provides tools for developing and tracking assignments and assessments, and can generate reports and analytics on learner performance. The LMS is designed to support the various roles involved in teaching and learning, and facilitates online collaboration and communication among learners, instructors and administrators. A learning management system is a software application designed to support and manage the delivery of educational content and services to learners, faculty and staff in higher education institutions. Some of the key purposes of a higher education LMS include: Providing a centralized platform for delivering and managing educational content, such as course materials, assignments, quizzes, exams and other resources. Supporting various teaching and learning activities, such as online and blended learning, flipped classroom models, and interactive and collaborative learning experiences. Offering administrative benefits, such as automating various tasks like grading, attendance taking, and reporting; reducing workload; and increasing efficiency.
Gartner defines K-12 LMSs as those forming the core teaching and learning technology environment, with a range of internal and external tools and services that support classroom learning. LMSs are moving beyond a technology platform that only administers learning resources. They are designed to support functions such as developing and tracking assignments and assessments, and managing online interactions and collaborations among teachers, students, administrators and parents/guardians. Increasingly, LMSs offer advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, and are usually integrated with the SIS. In K-12, several vendors offer the SIS and LMS combined into one product.