Navigate 1.3.1 Discussing the LMS and the CMS

While reading Justin Ferriman's article on the difference between a CMS and LMS, I learned a lot similarities and differences between a Course Management System (CMS) and a Learning Management System (LMS).  Both of these things are quite similar but according to Mr. Ferriman, a CMS is a more narrow scope.  It focuses  on the management and distribution of eLearning and instructor led courses.  He said that a CMS is often the main function of an LMS.  An LMS encompasses course management but is more "robust" because it often "implies a subset of learning standards for reporting purposes and lately has started to include learning that takes place outside of a computing environment."

Here are some features of each:

LMS:

• Registration
• Track Participation (classroom attendance, sign-ons, and sign-offs of online course)
• Track Completions (including final scores or grades)
• Testing
• Follow-Up Discussions with Participants
• Aggregated Reports, such as the number of people registered for particular courses
• Course Catalog
• Skilles Management

CMS: 

• Place course materials online. Most CMSs provide pre-programmed buttons for the course syllabus, course schedule and course materials linked to specific lessons, such as copies of readings and PowerPoint slides from lectures.
• Track student progress through assessment features, which enable instructors to give quizzes and tests online, and an online grade book, where instructors can post student grades.
• Discussion board, where instructors and students can discuss readings and continue class discussions between formal class sessions.
• Other communications tools, which let instructors send announcements to classes and communicate individually with students.
• Course statistics, which provide information on the use of the course site, including who used the course site and when.

http://www.learnport.org/AboutUs/Features/LMSCMS/tabid/324/Default.aspx