Online School LMS: Top 5 Best LMS for Online Schools

A boy learning on an LMS for online school

TL;DR: Top 5 Best LMS for Online School

  1. Wise – Best in class tools for online schools however only supports Zoom integration for live sessions
  2. Moodle – Opensource with extensive plugins but difficult and expensive to customize and maintain
  3. Google Classroom – Robust but limited options to customize, you will end up using too many applications
  4. Microsoft Teams for Education – Great features but learning curve can be steep due to complicated interface
  5. Canvas – Comprehensive but very expensive

 

Are you planning to launch an online school and searching for a Learning Management System (LMS)? Or do you already have an LMS that works well for individual classes but lacks the features, analytics and automations needed for managing group sessions? Perhaps you’re currently relying on a mix of Zoom/Meet, email, and various other tools, but are starting to realize that this approach will turn into an operational headache. If this sounds familiar, keep reading.

 

Unique challenges of managing online schools

While online schools offer numerous benefits such as accessibility and flexibility, they also present unique challenges that educators must navigate. Some of these challenges include:

  1. Student Engagement and Interaction: Maintaining student interest and fostering communication among peers can be particularly difficult in an online environment.
  2. Personalization and Assessment: Catering to individual learning needs while providing timely feedback to all students is complex and time-consuming.
  3. Class Management and Scheduling: Managing schedules, invoices and other operations at group level can be complex
  4. Maintaining Attention Span: Ensuring that all students remain focused and engaged throughout online sessions is more challenging compared to traditional in-person classes.

 

While many LMS platforms cater towards self-paced courses or personalized tutoring, such as AlphaLearn, Thinkific, and Teachable, only a few support group courses in a professional way. Managing diverse student interactions, ensuring engagement, and coordinating various administrative tasks in an online school environment requires specific features and capabilities that not all LMS platforms can offer.

 

Lets look at these 5 LMS for Online Schools in detail

 

1. Most comprehensive LMS for Online Schools: Wise LMS

 

LMS for group tutoring or one-on-one tutoring: Wise

Wise is one of the best LMS for online schools of different sizes and types. Unlike other LMS, Wise is focused on virtual sessions – be it group sessions or one-on-one. It doesn’t have one size fits all approach it has features for both, group and one-on-one setting.

Some of its key features are Zoom integration, session reminders, automated attendance, automatic sharing of session recordings, invoicing, MCQ tests and assessments. But what sets Wise truly apart and the reason it tops our list are its features around gamification and engagement. On Wise you can have leaderboards for your small groups and badges for your learners to keep them engaged and excited. You don’t need to use multiple third party apps such as Kahoot or Mentimeter, on Wise you can launch interactive quizzes, word clouds and live leaderboards inside the sessions itself.

On Wise you can manage all your instructors at a single place, assign different batches to them and easily substitute your instructors when needed. You can manage instructor availability, avoid session conflicts, collate teacher payouts, all at one place. No wonder its the LMS of choice for some of the top names in industry such as Paper, Johns Hopkins, K8 Online schoolToprankers, etc. The best part is all this happens under your branded Mobile, Desktop and web apps.

Students can also access encrypted recordings for live classes whenever they want. Interestingly, prospective tutors can also create their pre-recorded lessons on the platform so learners can learn at their pace. In other words, the platform extends a seamless learning experience for students and allows teachers to create, engage and manage online classes with ease

You can try the platform by clicking here.

Here is the pricing for Wise

  • Free plan
  • Starter plan: $49/month
  • Online School plan: custom prices

 

 

2. Moodle: Flexible LMS for online schools

 

moodle

Moodle is a highly flexible and customizable open-source LMS. It offers tools for group assignments, forums, wikis, and collaborative activities. Moodle’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows for additional functionalities tailored to specific needs. Its user-friendly design and adaptability make it suitable for various use cases. Its strong community support provides resources and plugins to enhance the learning experience further.

I would recommend to go for Moodle as your LMS for online school only if you have a medium to large tech team. Moodle’s open-source nature means that customization and maintenance can be complex and time-consuming. Some users may find the interface less modern compared to other platforms, and there may be a need for technical expertise to manage and optimize the system effectively.

Sign up on moodle here.

Have a look at Moodle pricing here.

 

 

3. Google Classroom: Easy to use LMS for online schools small in size

Google Classroom logo

Google Classroom excels in managing learners or cohorts of learners by offering seamless integration with other Google Workspace tools, such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive. This allows for assignments and projects.

Its user-friendly interface ensures that both students and educators can easily use the platform. Real-time feedback capabilities enable instant communication. The platform’s assignment management system helps keep everyone. Additionally, its mobile app ensures accessibility and connectivity.

However some of the cons are: Limited customization options, limited reporting features, and may require additional tools for advanced functionalities.

Try out google classroom by clicking here.

 

4. Microsoft Teams for Education

 

LMS teams

Microsoft Teams for Education is an ideal LMS for online schools due to robust features around communication, collaboration, and project management.

The platform integrates seamlessly with key Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It supports virtual meetings, threaded conversations, and file sharing. Features like breakout rooms allow for smaller group discussions

However, given the user interface and experience of the platform it can have a steeper learning curve. It is also resource-intensive which may affect performance on lower-end devices, and some features can be complex to set up initially.

Try Microsoft teams here.

 

5. Canvas by Instructure

 

LMS Canvas for online school

Canvas by Instructure stands out due to its comprehensive set of tools. The platform supports assignments, discussions, and peer reviews. Group workspaces and integrated multimedia tools allow for engaging activities. Canvas’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for educators to manage group courses. Features such as calendar integration, notification systems, and grading tools are extremely useful for both, teachers and students.

There are a few cons to consider while choosing Canvas. It has a higher cost compared to other LMS platforms. The platform’s complexity can be overwhelming for new users. Integration with third-party tools can sometimes be problematic, leading to compatibility issues. The interface, while user-friendly, can be seen as cluttered.

Link to try out Canvas.

 

Selecting the appropriate LMS for your online school involves more than just finding a platform that accommodates your primary teaching methods, whether they involve synchronous or asynchronous learning. It is crucial to choose an LMS that not only excels in your core functionalities but also provides versatility for various educational approaches, such as blended learning, assessments, and student engagement. A flexible LMS ensures that as your online school evolves, the platform can adapt to meet new demands and deliver a seamless experience for educators and students alike. By taking these factors into account, you can invest in a solution that not only addresses your current needs but also supports your growth in the future.

 

Want to book a free consultation on how to choose an LMS – feel free to book a meeting with the author here.

Mubeen Masudi

Mubeen Masudi

Mubeen is the co-founder of Wise. An IIT Bombay alumnus, Mubeen has been a tutor to students in Kashmir for 10+ years. He loves educating children and creating tools that help fellow educators.

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