Learning Management System CATS

Abstract

The use of information technologies and, in particular, information training systems increases capacity of both a teacher and a student to achieve their goals in an educational process, taking into account individual characteristics of each and providing opportunities for continuing education. The paper proposes and considers a new automated learning management system, called CATS (Care About the Students). The proposed system covers all components of the educational process, allows to conduct an electronic journal of visiting and defending laboratory works, distribute topics and monitor progress of course and diploma projects (creating automatically task sheets with subsequent export to MS Word editor). The CATS LMS makes it possible to test students’ knowledge in control and self-education modes, to form electronic educational and methodical complexes, to inform students about topics of lecture and practical classes with the possibility of downloading relevant materials, to provide educational content in SCORM format, developed by teachers around the world. Working in the CATS system, it is possible to exchange messages with students and teachers, to monitor progress and process of studying in respect of the proposed material by students, to check accomplished assignments of students for plagiarism. The system under consideration also takes into account specificity of training at a technical higher education institution, providing for work with an integrated project management system and ability to submit bugs. The CATS LMS has been implemented as a web application using modern technologies and it is available in the local network within the whole university at [172.16.11.72:2020].