Frameworks for CMS Design and Evalution

In recent years, institutions of higher education have been migrating to the Web for instruction in record numbers. While Web-based course management systems (CMS) offer many exciting possibilities for instructors and students, their efficacy in terms of teaching and learning has not been thoroughly evaluated. This chapter explores the inherent capabilities and limitations of five models of conceptual frameworks for the design of CMS. The chapter concludes with a discussion of CMS evaluation instruments, advice for instructors transitioning to CMS, and a call for more research in this growing area.