CHAPTER ONE:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Learning Management Systems (LMS) provide teachers and students with an online

classroom that reinforces learning processes. In online classroom environments, Learning

Management Systems (LMS) reinforces both teachers and students in the teaching/learning

process. A standard LMS supports an inclusive learning environment for academic progress

with interceding structures that promote online collaborative-groupings, professional training,

discussions, and communication among other LMS users (Dias et al., 2012).

The fast growing technologies have changed the ways of teaching and learning in educational

institutions since late the 1990s (Pishva et al., 2010). This integration between technologies

and educational environment has facilitated the communication between students and teachers,

but at the same time its usage is still very much low in some institutions (Pishva et al., 2010).

In an educational context, e-learning platforms are also known as Learning Management

Systems (LMSs) which are “internet based, software allowing instructors to manage materials

distribution, assignments, communications and other aspects of instructions for their courses”

(Abu Shawar, 2019). Today, LMSs have become an integral component of the educational

systems in most universities and interest is increasing in hybrid approaches that blend in class

and online activities (Pishva et al., 2010).

A LMS is not intended to replace the traditional classroom setting, but its main role is to

supplement the traditional lecture with course content that can be accessed from campus or the

Internet (Landry et al., 2016). While the potential benefits of augmenting the traditional class

with LMS have been recognized and discussed, what has remained largely unknown are student

and teacher reactions to using a LMS as an addition to the traditional lecture (Landry et al.,

2016).

unibaonlinelearning.net is an online LMS developed for the University of Bamenda. It is an

entirely web-based learning platform. It is used for communication between lecturers and

students as well as providing a storage place for all types of information. Unibaonlinelearning

also contains a number of administrative tools to support the student and teacher in their work.

From courses to contacting the school and also links to know about the school, the list of

resources on this platform is endless.

In this respect the current study focuses on assessing the importance of a LMS such as

Unibaonlinelearning. Since the researcher is a current student at the University of Bamenda,

Unibaonlinelearning has become a part of her daily life. It has also a dominant role in her

learning process. Since both students and lecturers are the main users of Unibaonlinelearning,

the researcher seeks to assess the importance of this LMS in the learning process of the students

of the University of Bamenda

1.2 Background of study

The history of the application of computers in education is filled with generic terms such as

computer-based instruction (CBI), computer-assisted instruction (CAI), and computer-assisted

learning (CAL), generally describing drill-and-practice programs, more sophisticated tutorials,

and more individualized instruction, respectively (Parr et al.,, 2011). LMS has its history in

another term integrated learning system (ILS) which offers additional functionality beyond

instructional content such as management and tracking more personalized instruction, and

integration across the system (Bailey et al., 2022). The term ILS was originally coined by

Jostens Learning, and LMS was originally used to describe the management system part of the

PLATO K-12 learning system, content-free and separate from the courseware (Foshay, 2016).

Learning Management System (LMS) is a web-based technology which is a very helpful tool

for holding an e-learning environment (Srichanyachon, 2014). Learning Management System

(LMS) has various platforms, such as Schoology, Google Classroom, Edmodo, and so on. By

using them, students can study and learn something everywhere and every time they want to

outside the classroom.

Moreover, by using Learning Management System (LMS), students can open, review, revise,

delete, and change their works. In addition, students can also get feedbacks both from

their lecturer and from their friends which are very useful for them to revise their works.

Nowadays, most teachers and/ or lecturers have started to use online Learning Management

System (LMS) to teach their students. The lecturers use online LMS so that the students can

also learn and practice even they are not in the classroom. However, Learning Management

System (LMS) is only a media to help students to learn and practice outside the classroom.

Every media might and might not be a good media, so does Learning Management System

(LMS). Learning Management System (LMS) also brings advantages and disadvantages for

those who have ever used it or have been using it until now. As a result, it is important to know

if the students of the University of Bamenda understand the importance of such a system, and

if not, what are the challenges which will require further recommendation to make the usage

of the LMS more that it is.

1.3 Problem statement

The rapid change in technological progress and the globalization trend in higher education and

the elimination of boundaries among students, new methods and perspectives have opened to

educational practice such as learning management systems.

The use of the LMS provides students and faculty with a convenient way to access educational

materials and course content, collaborate with peers and instructors, and manage their studies.

The LMS can also be used to create interactive learning experiences and promote student

engagement. The importance of the LMS in facilitating studies at the University of Bamenda

is evident in its ability to provide a centralized hub for all learning material. This enables faculty

to easily make course materials available to students, who can then access them anytime,

anywhere. The LMS also provides an efficient platform for students to collaborate and

complete projects or assignments. It also allows faculty to easily monitor student progress and

track student performance.

Challenges to using the LMS may include compatibility issues with different operating

systems, slow loading times, and lack of user-friendly tools. In addition, the lack of integration

with other learning tools such as discussion boards, online quizzes, and web conferencing can

limit the effectiveness of the LMS for some courses. To address these challenges, the

University of Bamenda has implemented a range of strategies to ensure optimal use of the

LMS. These include providing support for different operating systems, ensuring regular

updates to the LMS software, and integrating the LMS with other learning tools.

Through the use of the LMS, students and faculty can access course materials, collaborate with

peers, and track student performance. The University of Bamenda has taken steps to ensure

optimal use of the LMS by providing support and integrating the LMS with other learning

tools.

Despite its existence, it is not clear to many its importance such as: Teachers can deliver a

lecture anytime or/and anyplace. E-learning changes the relationship between teachers and

students from traditional education and provides a platform for teachers and students to

communicate. Students can do a cooperative study through the platform.

With the coming of computer technology, E-learning has played a progressively important role;

especially in higher education. However, the usage of the elearning platform in the University

of Bamenda seems to be very low. Most students are often forced by a few lecturers regarding

continuous assessment and other compulsory practices. This indicates the learners are not fully

aware of the importance of such a system, and hence the need for this study.

1.4 Research questions

1.4.1 Main question

What is the importance of learning management system in studies with case study being the

University of Bamenda?

1.4.2 Specific questions

The researcher break down the main question into the following specific questions

1. 1. How familiar are learners with learning management system in the University of

Bamenda?

2. 2. How effective is the usage of learning management system by learners in the University

of Bamenda?

3. 3. What are the Challenges regarding the usage of learning management system by

learners in the University of Bamenda?

1.5 Research objectives

1.5.1 Main objective

The main objective of the study is to assess the importance of learning management system in

studies with case study being the University of Bamenda.

1.5.2 Specific objectives

The researcher break down the main objectives into the following specific objectives

• To find out the familiarity of learning management system by learners in the University

of Bamenda

• To find out the Level of effective usage of learning management system by learners in

the University of Bamenda

• To find out the Challenges regarding the usage of learning management system by

learners in the University of Bamenda

1.6: Significance of the study

• It will help the researcher broadens her knowledge on learning management system and

its surrounding aspects

• The study will help the researcher earn a terminal degree (BSc) which will permit me

to give shape a future for myself and get a job. It will also motivate me to continue

research in the area of e-learning in and out of the country.

• It can also help UBa lerners to improve or modify their learning styles. It can improve

interactivity in the educational system.

• It can also facilitate the transition of students from school to the labour market and

finally the acquisition of jobs.

• The study has the potential to improve the effectiveness of teachers there by reducing

repetition and drop-out in institutions of learning.

• Also, at the level of the government, this study can help the government in its

planning for education in the country. For example it can help the government realize

its objective of programme budgeting by allocating its financial resources properly in

priority zones and areas of education like Information and Communication

Technologies and e-learning.