Why LMS failed to support student learning in higher education institutions

Internet and web-based technologies have been integrated into educational systems worldwide. Learning Management Systems (LMSs) or Course Management Systems (CMSs), such as Blackboard and Moodle, are the web-based systems that are most rapidly being adopted by a large number of colleges and universities. These systems provide a variety of tools to assist students and instructors in teaching and learning processes in order to be more effective and flexible. However, since using this technology, many studies have shown a high level of criticism directed at the failure of LMS to create an interactive learning environment and to improve learning outcomes. Many studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology in relation to enhancing student learning, to identify the problems and failure aspects of these systems. In addition, this paper seeks to discuss the causes of these problems and the reasons behind such failures with reference to the main activities of online course management systems. The paper summarizes the main causes of LMS failure into technological, theoretical, and pedagogical aspects, which need to be taken into consideration, especially with the new wave of adoption social media and web 2.0 technologies in higher education.