Learning Management System, quality and efficiency at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia: A best practices guide

Abstract

This article aims to compile the best practices developed by the Universidad Estatal a Distancia de Costa Rica (UNED) (Costa Rica’s public distance‑learning university) for managing its Learning Management System (LMS), and to explain the impact of these practices on the delivery of services by the Online Learning Program (Programa de Aprendizaje en Línea, PAL). These practices have enhanced the unit’s technical, operational, and administrative efficiency, effectiveness, and quality by establishing clear strategies, processes and procedures, and assertive communication across every aspect of virtual campus management. Critical components of a best‑practice framework that has proven indispensable for supporting and achieving institutional objectives related to the virtualization of learning include planning, design and configuration, tool integration, system updates and security.