LAMS

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Introduction

Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) is an open source learning design system for authoring, delivering and monitoring learning activities, i.e. a learning activity management software supporting pedagogical workflows. LAMS has been under development since 2003. The LAMS team managed to survive a funding crisis in 2010 (due to general cutbacks in Australia) thanks to commercial activities and now operates also from Singapore. As of March 2019, the LAMS source code is on Github and LAMS International (Sydney) and LAMS Education Asia (Singapore) are commercial companies that provide development and support services for the LAMS platform.

See also:

Description

LAMS provides:

  • a visual authoring interface to design and create learning sequences from a list of building blocks of individual or collective activities
  • a monitoring tool through which teachers can track students' progress through an activity sequence.

According to a LAMS website, LAMS includes environments for user administration, student run-time delivery of sequences, teacher run-time monitoring of student sequences and, most importantly, teacher authoring/adaptation of sequences. LAMS is inspired by, and heavily based on, IMS Learning Design and EML. Originally, LAMS was not designed to be a reference implementation of either specification. We do not expect LAMS to be IMS Learning Design (IMS LD) conformant in the future, since this standard is basically dead and since IMS LD somehow forgot to specify interfaces to tools.

According to Krann (2003), “the heart of the system is a visual editor that allows educators to choreograph a whole learning activity around a particular topic. By dragging and dropping acts like synchronous discussion (chat), web polls, students posting material and structured debates, a series of online lessons can be planned much like a conventional lesson. The player part of the system then allows a group of students to take part in all these activities, and presents the right tools at the right time, and divides the group into smaller groups, if that's what the teacher designed.”

In our own experience, LAMS is a perfect tool to teach activity-based course design, i.e. good online pedagogy. The authoring interface is fairly easy to learn. As of 2018/early 2019, the only difficulty is to find a system administrator capable of installing the system. However, it is possible to use a free online service for smaller projects.

The LAMS environment

Authoring

Basically, an author has to do the following tasks:

1) Assemble a learning sequence with a on-line visual authoring tool.

Here is a summary of the authoring steps:

  • Drag an activity component from the activities toolkit to the main central panel.
  • Connect these with the sequence tools on top (e.g. use the "transition" link").
  • Double click on an instance of the tool to edit and configure each tool.
  • Preview the sequence.
  • Save the sequence.

2) Assign learning sequences to groups (administrator must give him the rights). Otherwise LAMS may be available through your LMS (e.g. Moodle) and rights will be transparently handled. E.g. A Moodle student of a Moodle course can use a LAMS activity of this course.

Getting started as an author

Best method is to look at examples.

  • You may download dozens of good scenarios from the public LAMS Sequences repository. Probably it's easier to start from the community home page.
  • You can through the file menu of the authoring tool simply import these (V2 will also load V2 scenarios).

Members and courses

This part is not obvious if you don't read the documentation.

Classes
  • LAMS is organized by "Groups". These are in fact areas where learning/teaching happens. You can consider them as "courses" for instance.
  • Therefore, first thing to do as an administrator is to create groups
MyGroups -> Group Mgmt
Learning Groups
  • These are Groups withing LAMS Groups (what I called classes)
  • Within each "group" the admin must assign roles, at least a teacher who has the right to author and to assign users to a subgoup.

LAMS 2.x vs LAMS 3.x

LAMS 2 clients were programmed with ActionScript (Flash)

The LAMS 2.0 on-line authoring toolkit (2006)

LAMS 3.x, stable since late 2018 is programmed with HTML 5 and the authoring interface looks like this

The LAMS 3.1 on-line authoring tool (March 2019)

Standardization of LDs and services

LAMS and Learning Design

LAMS initially adopted a very similar design rationale, i.e. authoring of scenarios that is based on learning activities. It particularly support a rich conversational framework à la Laurillard.

Plans are there to become IMS Learning Design compatible (DSchneider didn't look at details yet). LAMS 2.0 exports to learning design level A. Daniel K. Schneider thinks that this is only true at a very formal level, i.e. the LD export contains code like this: 

<method>
 <play>
   <act>
     <role-part>
       <role-ref ref="Learner" />
        <activity-structure-ref ref="A-Sequence" />
        </role-part>
   </act>
  ....

<activity-structure xmlns="http://www.imsglobal.org/xsd/imscp_v1p1" structure-type="sequence" identifier="A-sequence">
  <title>LAMS Learning design sequence</title>
  <learning-activity-ref ref="A-lanb11-109" />

..... 

<learning-activity xmlns="http://www.imsglobal.org/xsd/imscp_v1p1" identifier="A-lanb11-109">
 <title>Noticeboard</title>
  <environment-ref ref="E-lanb11-109" />
  <complete-activity>
    <user-choice />
  </complete-activity>
  <lams:lams-tool-activity>
     <lams:activityID>113</lams:activityID>
     <lams:activityUIID>64</lams:activityUIID>
     <lams:description>Read noticeboard</lams:description>
     <lams:activityTitle>Noticeboard</lams:activityTitle>
     <lams:helpURL>http://wiki.lamsfoundation.org/display/lamsdocs/lanb11</lams:helpURL>
     <lams:xCoord>106</lams:xCoord>

This means that the LD interpreter must know about LMS tools which is perfectly legal as far as I can tell (XML itself and all IMS specifications 'are' extensible. In practice however, this means that a Learning Design made with LAMS will only run within LAMS. However, this is not a LAMS issue in itself but instead a lack services definitions in the IMS Learning Design specification. To over come this limitation LAMS has proposed a Tool Contract.

I don't know if there is some sort of initiative to standardize vocabularies that describe activities with specific kinds of tools such as the ones that exist in LAMS.

LAMS integration

LAMS 3.x is LTI compliant. Read LAMS as LTI tool provider, but maybe (as of March 2019) this document would need some updating. Not tested.

LAMS can be integrated with MOODLE, i.e. offer single sign-on from Moodle. Read integrations and Installation instructions for the Moodle 3 Integration. However we have to confirm this - Daniel K. Schneider (talk) 19:24, 20 March 2019 (CET)

In the past, we easily managed to integrate LAMS 2.0 with our Moodle 2.x and 3.x.

One of the core components of the LAMS V2 architecture was the "Tools Contract". To be written, see this.

Evaluation

Masterman and Lee

Masterman and Lee (2005:4) who ran an evaluation of LAMS 1.x with 34 participants in the UK reported the following findings:

i) LAMS is capable of supporting a range of pedagogical approaches, in that designers can select those activities that match their preferred style. However, the lack of support for images and graphics can be a hindrance to the design of appropriate learning tasks. The adoption of LAMS within an institution would almost certainly entail an increased workload for teachers, but with time and experience this load could be expected to lessen.

ii) LAMS appears neither to have compromised learning outcomes in comparison with the existing learning environment nor to have resulted in dramatic improvements in achievement. However, using LAMS to raise the level of learning outcomes was not a prime consideration for practitioners. Rather, they perceived its benefits to lie in increasing learners' motivation and in encouraging participation by more reticent students. Feedback obtained directly or indirectly from learners suggests that some appreciated the independence and freedom to work at their own pace, while others did not like the linearity of LAMS sequences or wanted more direct feedback on their progress.

iii) Several participants engaged in some form of reflective activity either while designing a LAMS sequence or afterwards. However, while they recognised the importance of sharing their practice with others, technical and cultural barriers need to be overcome.

D. Schneider

  • LAMS is the only stable and free e-learning tool that combines pedagogical sequencing with online activities.
  • Authoring of sequences is really easy compared to other tools. So far (Nov 2009 / 2010 / March2019), LAMS is the only tool that implements the learning design spirit in a teacher-usable way.
  • The documentation is good for LAMS 2.0 and (as of March 2019) not fully update for LAMS 3.1

I tested LAMS with a social science methodology sequence over several years and the experience has been rather positive. This includes student's appreciation.

In another class, our educational technology students have to design small LAMS sequences and that always went rather well, i.e. students acquired some competency in learning design, including branching and combining content delivery with collaborative activities. I stopped using LAMS in 2017 and 2018 since adapting the old JBOSS server installation to an updated Linux system and new Java editions became too difficult. We now installed LAMS 3.1 on a virtual server machine and it seems to run smoothly. In addition the new HTML5 clients adapt much better to screen size.

However, LAMS is not very suitable for project-oriented learning designs. I wonder weather one could envision two LAMS interfaces in the future:

  1. LAMS sequencing (the current one)
  2. LAMS project (an interface where activities happen around some central tools)

After my first encounter with LAMS over 10 years ago, I wrote down the following idea. As it is, LAMS is a learning design system and based on a play-act metaphor that you also have in IMS/LD. In addition, in LAMS there is some stuff that can be found in IMS/SS. While "LD" models in principle allow for "Go to" programming (level C in IMS-LD), it's not really meant for non-theatical scenarios. I now just wonder whether one could image a "LAMS project" version to allow for repetitive and cyclic scenarios. To do so, we need at least another tool I'd call "Teacher announce", i.e. a simple board that tells learners what to do next with what tool and also provide feedback.

Example: Announce-> Wiki->Announce->Wiki->Announce->Resource + Wiki (create a list) (revise list) (expand list)

Wiki is always the same.

Of course, visually, this should then be presented with different transitions (non-linear numbered arrows, only ONE node for the Wiki). The learner UI would also be different and look very much like the authoring interface. Steps that students did not take yet (e.g. announce #4 and beyound) could be hidden. Important also: teachers should be able to add stuff in real time, e.g. the monitoring interface = authoring interface.

This would take time to implement, BUT for starters one could just parametrize all the tools to get rid of the complicated sequencing stuff ;) ... a thought I need to expand - Daniel K. Schneider 23:56, 5 March 2010.

Lams sequence examples

Below we describe two examples found on the the community home page. You can download them yourself in your own LAMS server.

Writing research paper

Here is a copy of the description (retrieved 16:30, 9 December 2006 (MET)) and a screen dump of the imported sequence:

Writing research paper sequence authored by Hanh Vo

The course is designed to teach international students in an English Center. These students are graduated students whose first language is not English. They may come from many different countries and different majors. It is two months language skills and academic preparation course for studying at university. The course guides step by step to complete an academic research. Students are expected to acquire skills for university study like researching essay topics, writing assignments and reports. It also aims to help students become an independent and self-directed leaner. Besides, they also have chance to get knowledge on their major. In the course, students will do almost all activities online, but at some stages, teacher will stop and give some helps or consultations to help them complete their project. Some online activities require students to work asynchronously like discussion at a forum, but sometimes they have to work synchronously such as chatting with their friends at scheduled online discussion. The course is divided into 5 stages:

  • Choosing topic
  • Writing research proposal
  • Writing literature review
  • Writing findings, conclusions
  • Completing

At the end of each stage, students have to submit assignments for teacher to know how students' progress. Then they will get feedback from the teacher at consultation. Consultation is also the time for teacher to correct, encourage, and give advices to help students sharpen their knowledge, increase motivation and improve at the next steps. Knowledge will be acquired and increase through the process. At the end of the course, students are required to have capability to write an academic research by themselves. The end result will be a portfolio of work that demonstrates students' achievement and progress during the course.

Here is a screendump of the authoring Window. DSchneider imported this LAMS 1.x sequence into LAMS 2.0 and rearranged the icons into a "serpent" position.

Stolen Generation

  • Stolen Generation, authored by Debbie Evans. Here is the description found in the repository (16:30, 9 December 2006 (MET)) and a screen dump of the sequence imported into our LAMS 2.0 system:
Stolen Generation sequence authored by Debbie Evans

A stage 3 sequence which addresses some of the issues faced by the Stolen Generation of Australian Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders during the 20th century.

  • Keywords: Stolen Generation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Traditions & Heritage
  • Subject:Human Society & Its Environment, Australian History
  • Audience: Stage 3-4 (Yrs 5-8)
  • Run time: 1-2 weeks
  • Delivery Mode: off- and on-line
  • Resources: Personal stories, Wikipedia,
  • Outline of Activities:
    1. Read number of personal stories about the Stolen generation: Personal stories and Stolen generations.
    2. Students would start the LAMS sequence.The grouping tool breaks the class into 4 groups.
    3. The chat helps to consolidate understanding of the content of the personal stories.
    4. The share resources takes the students to a wiki about the Stolen Generation.
    5. The forum allows open discussion about the details in the wiki, in particular the facts and their opinions about this policy.
    6. A multiple choice quiz further consolidates the facts about the Stolen Generation.
    7. An optional Q & A task appears where students can select to answer a question from a different point of view.

This sequence could be adapted and modified by including a writing task where assessment can be made by submitting a file.

Links

Installation tips

Manuals and Tutorials

LAMS 1 (obsolete)
  • LAMS 1 is no longer used (links removed)
LAMS 2 (obsolete, but there are still sites running under LAMS 2)

Here are the IMHO's most important getting started links:

  • LAMS Tutorials. A larger set of animated LAMS presentation tutorials (Winks). For people who feel challenged with text ;)
  • LAMS authoring (for teachers, one of the best places to start for online reading)
  • LAMS 2 Teacher's Guide (75page PDF manual, read this !)
  • LAMS learner (important navigation information that should be handed out to learners)
LAMS3

As of early 2019, LAMS 2 tutorials are still being updated. However, since most tools are common with LAMS2 this should not inhibit people from using LAMS.

More LAMS links

The LAMS project maintains several websites.

LAMS Conferences (including online papers)

References

  • Dalziel, James, Implementing Learning Design: The Learning Activity Management System (LAMS), Macquarie E-learning Centre of Excellence (MELCOE), PDF
  • Dalziel, J. R. (2006, July). Lessons from LAMS for IMS learning design. In Advanced Learning Technologies, 2006. Sixth International Conference on (pp. 1101-1102). IEEE.
  • Dalziel, J. (2008). Learning design: Sharing pedagogical know-how. Opening up education: The collective advancement of education through open technology, open content, and open knowledge, 375-387.
  • Dalziel, J. (2009). Prospects for learning design research and LAMS. Teaching English with Technology, 9(2), i-iv.
  • Dalziel, J. (2011). Visualising Learning Design in LAMS: A historical view. Teaching English with Technology, 11, 19-34.
  • Dalziel, J. R. (2007). Imagining and developing a system for reusable learning designs: lessons from LAMS. International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life Long Learning, 17(1), 33-42.
  • Gibbs, D. & Philip, R. (2005). Engaging with e-learning: Trialling a new Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) in Australia. Ed-Media Conference, World Conference on Educational Media, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, 27 June - 2 July 2005, Montreal, Canada.
  • Philip, R . & Dalziel , J . (2004). Designing activities for student learning using the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS). Acquiring and Constructing Knowledge Through Human-Computer Interaction: Creating new visions for the future of learning. ICCE: International Conference on Computers in Education Conference, Melbourne, 30 November – 3 December, 2004.
  • Voerman, A. & Philip, R. (2005). Walking together: LAMS, learning and experience for Indigenous students. Ed-Media Conference. World Conference on Educational Media, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, 27 June - 2 July 2005, Montreal, Canada.
  • Levy, P., Aiyegbayo, O. and Little, S. (2009), Designing for inquiry-based learning with the Learning Activity Management System. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25: 238–251. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2729.2008.00309.x
  • Kraan Wilbert, (2003). Learning Design inspiration, CETIS article, HTML
  • David Jennings (2005), Evaluation of Learning Activity Management Systems, HTML
  • Liz Masterman, Stuart D. Lee (2005), Evaluation Of The Practitioner Trial Of Lams: Final Report, Learning Technologies Group, Oxford University Computing Services HTML
  • Laurillard, Diana (2008). Perspectives on learning design – a report on the 3rd International LAMS and Learning Design Conference, December 2008, Macquarie University, Sydney, HTML
  • Matt Bower (2009),Using LAMS to Facilitate A ‘Pedagogy-First’ Approach to Teaching Learning Design, Teaching English with Technology – Special Issue on LAMS and Learning Design volume 2, 9 (3), 42-52.[1]
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