How can you manage learner expectations with an LMS?

1 Set clear and realistic expectations

One of the first steps to manage learner expectations with an LMS is to set clear and realistic expectations for the course design, content, activities, assessment, and communication. You can use various tools and features of the LMS to communicate your expectations to the learners, such as the course syllabus, welcome message, learning objectives, rubrics, and announcements. You should also explain how the LMS works, what technical skills and requirements are needed, and how to access the course materials and resources. By setting clear and realistic expectations, you can help learners understand what they need to do, how they will be evaluated, and what they can expect from you and the course.

2 Provide timely and constructive feedback

Another strategy to manage learner expectations with an LMS is to provide timely and constructive feedback to the learners throughout the course. Feedback is essential for online learning, as it helps learners monitor their progress, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and improve their performance. You can use the LMS to provide feedback to the learners in different ways, such as grading assignments, posting comments, sending messages, or creating audio or video feedback. You should also encourage learners to give feedback to you and their peers, as this can foster a sense of community and collaboration. By providing timely and constructive feedback, you can help learners feel supported, valued, and motivated.

4 Offer flexibility and choice

A fourth strategy to manage learner expectations with an LMS is to offer flexibility and choice to the learners. Flexibility and choice are important for online learning, as they help learners adapt to their own learning styles, preferences, and needs. You can use the LMS to offer flexibility and choice to the learners in different aspects, such as the pace, sequence, format, and level of the course content, activities, and assessment. You should also provide learners with options and alternatives, such as allowing them to choose their topics, partners, or tools. By offering flexibility and choice, you can help learners feel empowered, autonomous, and engaged.

5 Solicit and act on feedback

A fifth strategy to manage learner expectations with an LMS is to solicit and act on feedback from the learners. Feedback from learners is valuable for online learning, as it helps you evaluate the effectiveness of the course design, delivery, and outcomes. You can use the LMS to solicit and act on feedback from the learners in different ways, such as creating surveys, polls, quizzes, or forums. You should also acknowledge and respond to the feedback, and make adjustments or improvements based on the feedback. By soliciting and acting on feedback, you can help learners feel respected, heard, and involved.

6 Model and promote best practices

A sixth strategy to manage learner expectations with an LMS is to model and promote best practices for online learning. Best practices are the principles and guidelines that can enhance the quality and impact of online learning. You can use the LMS to model and promote best practices for online learning in different areas, such as course design, content delivery, learner engagement, assessment, and evaluation. You should also share and recommend best practices to the learners, and encourage them to apply them to their own online learning. By modeling and promoting best practices, you can help learners develop the skills, attitudes, and behaviors that can lead to online learning success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?