In a world full of technological advancements, it’s impossible to recognise which software is the best. Educational institutions, with an eye for perfection combined with simplicity (to allow inclusive learning), are always on the lookout for updated versions of learning management systems. To allow better decision-making on part of these institutions, here are some best features that a school LMS must have;
Secure Admission Portals
The first step to availing of any course is getting oneself admitted to the institute. Every year, thousands of students apply for their dream school/college through online portals. A secure admission portal consists of;
- Catalogue of course information
- School faculty details
- Online enrolment options
- Safe payment portals
- Application tracker
Options are necessary but not limited to these, an admission portal can consist of as many sub-categories as the school management team feels appropriate.
Student Teacher Data Management
Another important feature is that a school environment is functional only when students and teachers can come together for successful educational activities. This includes classes, indoor and outdoor activities, and much more. However, how well teachers can manage all these activities depends on the accessibility of student data. A cloud-based system that takes in information while reflecting the same in real-time is the best solution for accessing student information conveniently. When used in combination with the Attendance management system & other necessary software, it lifts a load off manual work from both teachers and office staff.
Transcripts & Grades
Popularised during the pandemic, virtual exams & answer sheets are still in! Despite schools & colleges getting back on track with their hybrid/ offline classes, online transcripts have not been replaced since it greatly reduces the probability of a student’s grade sheet getting lost. Moreover, teachers can spend more time elaborating on their teaching methodology rather than spending time correcting the papers. Multiple choice questions allow automatic grading with the right school management system. Although long answer types require detailed checking, that too could be through an online mode. All teachers have to do is provide personalised feedback on the essay-type answers in the grade sheet itself, with advanced editing tools.
Parent-Teacher Portals
Parents are the sole source of discipline and motivation every individual grows up with. However, once these children start going to school, teachers take over some of the responsibilities. To fruitfully team them together, a communication portal is a must-have. This could be in the form of chat rooms, guides, a list of content details for specific subject teachers, and anything that helps parents be in touch with their Ward’s performance.
Archives (References, Study Materials)
A reference is one of the most important study resources that teachers share as handouts or digital copies for a better understanding of topics. Students, besides attending all the classes, must have access to a wide range of learning material. Their success depends on how well they can absorb these references, hence the need for teacher intervention.
Teachers can provide the following academic help;
- Notes/handouts of topics uploaded as per class
- Presentations or video lectures
- Practice sets
- Feedback on student written answers
- Guide on specific academic works like literature reviews, paper presentations, etc.
An archive of all this is much more than the Institution’s library. Students can contribute in specific sections too, given the material is valid and well-researched. A separate online library could also be a part of the school management system.
Student Logins
A student spends at least 6 hours every day in school activities. They submit assignments, attend classes, participate in tournaments/championships, and even assist in social work sometimes. With a personalised login portal, they can receive real-time updates as notifications or reminders. It’s the perfect way to ensure no student misses any activity in their schedule!
Alternatively, student portals serve as virtual common rooms for peers to connect for educational discussions. Often, teachers join these group study sessions too to encourage them.
With increasing demands for better efficiency on part of students and teachers, institutions are bound to update their software for school management. However, investing in software with multiple advanced features is expensive, requires regular maintenance, and proper training for the users so they can completely benefit from the system. We believe that in the next couple of years, institutions will be advanced enough to recognise the right features that can standardize the quality of school education.
