Designers/instructors need to decide what and how they want to place on the Web. Some instructors simply want to post their syllabus and some content in the form of visuals (e.g. PowerPoint slides) and/or handouts (e.g. PDF files); they have no plans of using threaded discussions, chats, on-line testing, and other available features. To do this they can use a standard server (department or college) or use a course learning management system provided on a centralized server. They are basically using the Web to enhance or supplement their on-site course.

Courses designed for distance students need to include more robust features and provide opportunities for students to actively become a part of a community of learners. To build courses with these features, designers/instructors need more technical expertise and support to place courses on a standard server or use some type of a learning management system software that is centrally supported. There are strengths and limitations with either approach.

Standard Server vs. Learning Management Systems
Factors	Standard Server	Learning Management Systems
Technical expertise	More technical expertise required to create and use "tools" (e.g. on-line chats, discussion boards)	Less technical expertise required since tools are developed
Control and management of Web site	Instructor or departmental support person	Centralized system manager
24/7 user support	Unlikely	Usually
Flexibility	Maximum flexibility. Design limited only by expertise	Restricted by how system is programmed
User interface	Varies from course to course	More consistent from course to course; common look & feel

The trend is for universities to provide technical support for a single proprietary learning management system, and fewer instructors are using a stand-alone departmental server to deliver Web courses.

Learning management system software has become an extremely popular way to develop Web-based instruction. Let's learn more about LMS software now.

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