LMS Solution: Evidence of Google Classroom Usage in Higher Education

Abstract Background: Learning Management Systems (LMS) represent one of the main technology to support learning in HE institutions. However, every educational institution differs in its experience with the usage of these systems. South East European University’s LMS experience is longer than a decade. From last year SEE – University is adopting Google Classroom (GC) as an LMS solution. Objectives: Identifying factors which encourage LMS activities, with special emphasis on SEEU, might be of crucial importance for Higher Education academic leaders as well as software developers who design tools related to fostering LMS. Methods/Approach: This paper introduces new approach of investigating the usage of LMS, i.e. identifying the determinants of increasing usage of LMS activities, by conducting empirical analysis for the case of SEEU. We apply appropriate estimation technique such as OLS methodology. Results: Using SEEU Usage Google Classroom Report & Analysis Data for spring semester (2016–2017) and winter semester (2017–2018) - SUGCR dataset 2017, we argue that (i) LMS activities are affected by demographic characteristics and (ii) the students’ LMS usage is affected by level and resources of instructors’ LMS usage. Conclusions: The empirical results show positive relationship between student and instructors’ LMS usage.