Affordances for academics : using learning management systems to effectively manage large enrolment-units in higher education

Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be used to deliver learning designs that meet students' learning needs. There is a raft of teaching and learning tools that can be enabled in LMS to engage and support learners. The design and ongoing management of these environments rest largely on the knowledge and skills of academic staff. While increasing workloads may inhibit moving to blended learning or enhancing the online learning environment through the appropriate use of technology there are affordances for academic staff that can help them make LMS work for them, rather than the other way around. This paper highlights affordances for academic staff through the tools and functions commonly found in LMS: communication and collaboration, evaluation and assessment, content resources and site management. The authors draw a case study of a large enrollment, first year university unit to illustrate some of the LMS affordances for teaching academics.