What is the Difference Between LMS and CMS?

 

Learning Management System and Course Management System are two different ways that online schooling is delivered.  While the systems are very similar now, let's examine the factors that separate these two systems.

Course Management Systems (CMS) has a narrower focus than the LMS.  This system focuses mostly on the management of eLearning and instructor led courses.  They can essentially be stored in a LMS and are the most essential part of the LMS.  The CMS is less dynamic than the LMS, but is great when needed to store and display content.

An LMS is everything the CMS is, plus more.  It is more in depth and uses a subset of learning standards for reporting purposes.  In addition, the LMS has begun to include learning that takes place outside of a computing environment.   The LMS can be used to help improve learning performance as well.  All of these things make the LMS an effective tool for online learning environments.