A great LMS use policy clearly and explicitly details the rules and regulations for using the system’s different features, what roles each user and administrator plays in the overall health of the system, who has authority over key overarching policies and decisions, etc. With that in mind, here are the 10 key points which should be covered in drafting an LMS use policy.

1. Policy Overview

This is a basic introductory summation to the LMS use policy which outlines in clear, concise language why the policy is in place and what it does. It gives a wide-view window of the policy aspects to come in the finer print.

2. Who Does It Apply To?

What users and administrators are bound to the rules and the regulations of the LMS use policy? Does this policy apply to those who develop courses and those who take courses? How does it affect those who oversee the functionality of the service? In short, who is being addressed and referred to in relation to this LMS use policy?

3. Including Content

For new content to be placed on the LMS, what are the requirements necessary for that content to be vetted and approved for application? What overarching philosophies about content does the LMS want to maintain, whether it’s supporting a certain overall pedagogy or supporting the company’s value system? You will need to know this.

4. Concurrent Policies

What other policies within the LMS are applicable to this LMS use policy? What policies supersede this policy, if any? This highlights exactly what policies work in conjunction with or parallel to the LMS use policy.

5. Creating A Course

Who has the final say in whether a course will be included in the LMS? What rules does a content creator need to follow in order to get course content uploaded onto the LMS? Creating a course may be the most important thing you do.

6. Content Ownership

Do course creators maintain ownership rights over their course creations, or do they give up ownership rights to the LMS company? Also, the content owner’s responsibilities for updating and replacing content is outlined in great detail.

7. Reviewing Content, Retaining Content

Who is responsible for reviewing LMS content before it is uploaded onto the system? How often will course reviews be conducted as they are edited and added to? How long will this information stay in the system after the course has fulfilled its usage requirements?

8. Role Definitions, Permissions

This clearly defines the roles of the users of the LMS, the content creators, and the administrators of the system. It also outlines the permissions which each of these different user sectors has to add, delete and modify aspects of the site and its content base.

9. User Access Parameters

What are the guidelines and methodologies for users to access the system? When will user accounts be marked for deactivation and when will they be deactivated entirely? This outlines exactly how user access is granted, how it is utilized, and when it is stripped.

10. Policy Consequences

What are the ramifications and consequences for violating the LMS use policy or concurrent policies which in turn act as a violation of the use policy itself? Is there a warning system? Are users immediately stripped of their access privilege until further review? Who would conduct such a review?

Concluding Thoughts

Asking yourself these questions above will help you to consider what to use in your use policy. While each policy will vary widely, this is a great starting point to ensure you’re doing things effectively and correctly.