Learning Management Systems to enhance learning in on-campus tertiary settings in Australia and Singapore

This paper examines the definitions and descriptions of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and their characteristics. It then describes a blended model of on-campus and online delivery of courses in Australia and Singapore and examines some issues concerning advantages and\ud disadvantages of LMS. Student feedback, survey data and a literature review inform an examination of issues such as ease of access, equity and the critical notion of 'social presence' in online spaces. Feedback was collected from public postings on the discussion board, online surveys, email communications and paper based surveys. This involved 495 students across three subjects in an Australian teacher pre-service preparation undergraduate course and one\ud subject from a Singapore based Master of Education subject. This work highlights the need for clearer international definitions of LMS along with making recommendations about increasing the effectiveness of these systems through developing 'social presence'