When it comes to online learning platforms, eLMS and Microsoft Teams offer distinct advantages. eLMS is built on a well-established, dedicated online learning platform that is open-source and free to use. On the other hand, Microsoft Teams, while primarily designed as a business management tool, has made significant strides in the online education space, offering powerful collaboration tools. However, MS Teams' strong marketing presence can sometimes make it challenging to discern what it offers specifically for education.

The eLMS Offering

eLMS excels in providing a structured learning experience, particularly through sequential learning. This means that learners are required to progress through tasks and resources in a specific order, much like following a checklist. Courses in eLMS are organised into topic areas where students can systematically work through content and activities at their own pace, making it ideal for asynchronous learning.

One of the key benefits for students using eLMS is the ease of tracking progress. Tools like completion tracking offer a visual representation of what has been completed and what remains, helping students manage their learning journey efficiently. Whether learners are studying during the day, at night, or even on the go, eLMS provides a clear, structured path from the start of the course to its completion.Activities Best Suited for eLMS:

• Reading Materials: Ebooks, articles, lecture notes, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Video Content: Embedded videos or links to external video resources.
• Quizzes and Assignments: eLMS’s robust quizzing tools, assignment features, and Turnitin integration offer comprehensive platforms for assessments and feedback.
• Sequential Tasks: Ideal for courses where students need to complete several activities before moving on to the next topic.
• Interactive Presentations: With plugins like H5P or SCORM packages, instructors can create engaging, interactive content with quizzes, branching scenarios, and other interactive elements.

A Different Approach with Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft Teams is built primarily as a continuous business tool, and this design is evident in its approach to learning. Unlike eLMS, Teams does not emphasise a start-to-finish course structure but thrives in environments where ongoing communication and collaboration are key. Teams is particularly effective for synchronous learning, where real-time interaction between students and instructors is central.

Teams revolves around its chat and discussion feeds, enabling constant communication through messaging and video calls. This makes it an excellent platform for group work, live discussions, and collaborative document editing in real-time, eliminating the need for cumbersome email attachments.

Activities Best Suited for Teams:

• Discussions: Teams can organise discussions into different channels, whether through written messages or video calls.
• Collaborative Projects: Multiple users can work simultaneously on presentations, Word documents, or spreadsheets, making it ideal for group assignments and collaborative learning.

Combining eLMS and Microsoft Teams for Optimal eLearning

While eLMS and Microsoft Teams each bring unique strengths to online learning, using them together can offer a comprehensive educational experience. eLMS provides the structure and sequential learning needed for tasks like reading, watching videos, and completing quizzes. It also helps students stay on track with features like completion tracking. Meanwhile, Teams enhances synchronous learning with its robust collaboration and communication tools, perfect for group projects and real-time discussions.

By integrating eLMS with Microsoft Teams, students can benefit from the structured learning environment of eLMS while also enjoying the real-time interaction and collaboration capabilities of Teams. For instance, a course might utilise eLMS for delivering course content and assignments, while Teams could be used for live discussions, group work, and collaborative document editing.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to integrate Microsoft Teams with your LMS or have any questions about eLMS versus Microsoft Teams, contact one of our experts today here.