What is the Difference Between a Learning Management System and School Management Software?
A Learning Management System (LMS) and School management software both offer advantages to schools, but they are two different types of systems with varying purposes. In this article, you’ll learn the differences between them and the functionality they provide.
Learning Management System vs. School Management Software
School Management Software Delivers Innovative Features for the Entire School, LMS Delivers Educational Content
One of the biggest differences between LMS and school management software is that the purpose of LMS is to deliver content and courses, with the primary focus being online learning, content delivery, and virtual classrooms.
The focus of school management software tends to be on the overall operations of the school and increasing family engagement. The features provided include chat features for parents and teachers to communicate, attendance tracking, and the ability for students and parents to review assignments, grades, and progress reports by logging into the system.
School Management Software Caters To Teachers, Parents, and Students, LMS Primarily Caters to Teachers
School management software’s features cater to teachers, parents, and students, as well as school administration staff. Each feature provided, whether it’s attendance tracking, enrollment, or assignments that can be submitted through the software platform, enhances the day-to-day operations of the entire school.
LMS mainly caters to teachers, helping them create and manage online courses.
School Management Software Is Used From Enrollment to Graduation
Lastly, one of the key differences between the two programs is the scope of how they are applied. School management software can be incorporated into a school beginning with the enrollment of a student all the way through graduation. It can also be used with almost any size school, from elementary to high school and even universities.
LMS tends to be used for higher education, K-12 online education, and corporate training.
What is the Cost of Implementing School Management Software?
The cost of school management software will vary across platforms. However, the pricing of ThinkWave School Administration Software is based on the number of students in a school, which is then charged by a monthly or annual subscription. Pricing ranges anywhere from $17 per month ($179 per year) to $329 per month ($3,299 per year) depending on the number of students in your school.
Are There Challenges with Implementing School Management Software Into School Systems?
Similar to any software system, whether it’s LMS or school management software, it can take time for teachers, administrative staff, and students to learn how to use the new program. This is why it’s important to choose one with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface and one that provides training and ongoing support. When training and support are provided, the entire experience is much more seamless and easy for staff and students to begin using.
ThinkWave School Administration Software
ThinkWave provides cloud-based school administration software for teachers, parents, and students. From digital gradebooks to chat features, custom report cards, an intuitive user-friendly interface, and much more, ThinkWave takes your school to the next level.
Learn more about the benefits provided and how it can help your school grow.