---
title: 'Flipped-LMS Approach Using an Open and Collaborative Web Platform'
date: '18-12-2015 00:00'
published: true
taxonomy:
    category: blog
    tag:
        - Flipped-LMS
        - LMS
        - Open
        - GitHub
        - GravCMS
        - Deploy
        - Diagram
metadata:
    'twitter:card' : summary
    'twitter:site' : @hibbittsdesign
    'twitter:title' : Flipped-LMS Approach Using an Open and Collaborative Web Platform
    'twitter:description' : A set of four visualizations, each with a Creative Commons (CC) license.
    'twitter:image' : http://hibbittsdesign.org/blog/user/pages/posts/2015-12-18-flipped-lms-using-an-open-and-collaborative-platform/flipped-lms-open-collaborative-platform.png
---

**What is a flipped LMS?**  
A flipped LMS approach is where an _open_ platform, in the _control_ of course participants, serves as an _alternative front-end_ to the institutional LMS

![Flipped-LMS approach](flipped-lms.png)  
_Figure 1. Flipped-LMS approach._

**Why flip the LMS?**  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> To support pedagogical goals unmet by current LMS/platform  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> To deliver a better student (and facilitator) experience  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> To increase capability of access, sharing and collaboration  

===

**What to “Flip” Your LMS With?**  
Ideally an open and _collaborative_ platform, as shown below:  

![Open + collaborative Web platform](open-collaborative-platform.png)  
_Figure 2. Open + collaborative Web platform._
<br><br>
![Flipped-LMS approach using an open + collaborative Web platform](flipped-lms-open-collaborative-platform.png)  
_Figure 3. Flipped-LMS approach using an open + collaborative Web platform._  
<br>
For example, the modern flat-file CMS [Grav](http://getgrav.org) along with [GitHub](http://github.com) and an automatic deployment service such as [Deploy](http://deployhq.com) can be used quite effectively by tech-savvy educators as an open and collaborative platform to support a flipped-LMS approach:  
<br>
![Flipped-LMS approach using Grav, GitHub, and Deploy](flipped-lms-grav-github-deploy.png)  

_Figure 4. Flipped-LMS approach using Grav CMS, GitHub, and Deploy._

**When flipping your LMS what are some key experience design goals?**  
Student experience design goals:  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Engaging  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Organized  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Relevant  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Convenient  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Enjoyable  
<br>
Facilitator experience design goals:  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Controllable (i.e. manageable)  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Pliable (i.e. flexible)  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Efficient  
<i class="fa fa-check-square-o"></i> Enjoyable (hey, instructors are people too...)      <br><br>
Want to get started with flipping your own LMS? Since this article was written I've built an open source project using the Grav CMS to help other tech-savvy instructors - explore the [on-line demo](http://demo.hibbittsdesign.org/grav-course-hub/) and then head over to [Grav Course Hub Getting Started Guide](../2016-02-12-grav-course-hub-getting-started-guide) to get going.