How to Build a Course from Scratch Using Native LMS Tools
- LMSPortals
- 17 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Building a course from scratch can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach and a clear understanding of your Learning Management System’s (LMS) built-in tools, you can go from a blank page to a fully functioning course that engages learners and meets learning outcomes.
This guide walks you through each step of that process using only your LMS’s native capabilities—no third-party tools required.
1. Start With a Course Plan
Before you touch the LMS, you need a plan. A well-structured course begins with a clear objective.
Define Your Learning Goals
Ask yourself: What should learners know or be able to do by the end of the course? Make these goals specific and measurable. Avoid vague objectives like “understand marketing” and opt for “create a basic digital marketing plan using core principles.”
Map Out the Content
Break the course into logical modules or weeks. Each should have a clear theme or focus. For example:
Week 1: Introduction to Digital Marketing
Week 2: SEO and SEM Basics
Week 3: Social Media Marketing
Week 4: Building Campaigns and Analyzing Results
For each module, list the key topics, readings, activities, and assessments.
2. Set Up the Course Shell
Log into your LMS and create the basic course structure.
Use the Course Builder
Most LMS platforms—like LMS Portals—have a “Course Builder” or “Setup Wizard” tool. Use it to:
Name your course
Set the term or start/end dates
Choose a template if available (blank, weekly, topic-based, etc.)
Configure basic settings: visibility, enrollment methods, grading schemes
Organize by Modules or Weeks
Use your LMS’s organizational structure to mirror your course plan. Create modules, sections, or units that match the content breakdown you designed earlier.
3. Add Learning Materials
Once your framework is in place, start adding content.
Upload Files
Upload PDFs, slides, or Word docs directly. Organize them by module. Avoid dumping everything at once—attach each file to the appropriate section to reduce clutter.
Use the Rich Content Editor
Most LMS platforms let you create pages with text, images, links, and embedded videos. Use these for:
Welcome messages
Topic introductions
Step-by-step guides
Instructor commentary
Keep text readable. Use headings, bullet points, and white space to make content scannable.
Embed Videos and Media
Use the LMS’s built-in media tool or embed YouTube/Vimeo links. Video is great for:
Lectures
Demonstrations
Guest speaker recordings
Walkthroughs
Add short descriptions or guiding questions below videos to keep learners engaged.
4. Build Interactive Elements
Content alone isn’t enough. Use your LMS’s interactive tools to make the course more engaging.
Use Discussions
Discussion boards let learners interact with you and each other. Use them for:
Icebreaker intros
Topic debates
Peer reviews
Reflection journals
Set expectations for posting—length, deadlines, and quality of responses.
Add Quizzes and Knowledge Checks
Use the quiz builder to create:
Multiple-choice tests
Fill-in-the-blank questions
Short answers
Matching exercises
Quizzes can be graded or ungraded. Use them for self-checks at the end of each module.
Create Assignments
Set up assignments that require uploads, links, or text submissions. Define:
Instructions
Deadlines
Rubrics or grading criteria
You can also enable peer review in many LMS platforms.
5. Integrate Assessments and Grading
A strong grading structure keeps learners accountable and motivated.
Set Up the Gradebook
Use the LMS’s gradebook to:
Add all assessments
Assign point values or weights
Set grading categories (e.g., quizzes 20%, assignments 40%, participation 10%, final project 30%)
Automate Grading Where Possible
For quizzes, set correct answers so the system grades them instantly. You can also provide feedback for right/wrong answers directly in the LMS.
Use Rubrics
Many LMS platforms let you attach rubrics to assignments. Rubrics clarify expectations and make grading faster and more consistent.
6. Communicate With Students
Strong communication improves engagement and reduces confusion.
Use Announcements
Post regular updates via the Announcements tool. Use it for:
Weekly overviews
Deadline reminders
Tips and encouragement
Course changes
Enable email notifications to ensure learners see these messages.
Messaging and Feedback
Use the internal messaging system to:
Answer private questions
Provide assignment feedback
Encourage participation
You can also leave comments directly on submissions through the grading interface.
7. Monitor Progress and Make Adjustments
Once the course is live, your job isn’t over.
Track Engagement
Your LMS provides analytics on:
Page views
Participation
Completion rates
Quiz results
Identify students who are falling behind and reach out early.
Use Student Feedback
Ask for informal feedback mid-course. Use surveys or discussion boards to ask:
What’s working well?
What’s confusing?
How’s the pace?
Adjust your content, pacing, or instructions accordingly.
8. Optimize for Accessibility and Mobile
Ensure your course works for everyone, everywhere.
Accessibility
Use your LMS’s accessibility checker to flag issues. Common fixes include:
Adding alt text to images
Using proper heading levels
Avoiding color-only cues
Mobile Compatibility
Most LMS platforms have mobile apps. Keep pages short and avoid large, complex tables. Test key areas—like quizzes and assignments—on a phone to confirm usability.
9. Test Everything Before Launch
Before releasing your course to learners, do a thorough check.
Preview the Course
Use the “Student View” or “Preview” function to:
Walk through each module
Open every file, link, and quiz
Submit test assignments
Check Dates and Visibility
Make sure:
Deadlines are correct
Modules are published
Content isn’t locked or hidden by accident
10. Iterate and Improve
Even after launch, keep improving the course.
After-Action Review
At the end of the course, review:
What content got the most/least engagement?
Where did students struggle?
Which activities worked best?
Document what to revise next time.
Version Updates
Use the LMS’s version control tools (if available) to update content without losing old records. Or duplicate the course for a new term and start fresh with improvements.
Final Thoughts
Your LMS already has everything you need to build a solid, engaging course from scratch. You don’t need fancy plugins or outside tools. What you need is a clear plan, a structured approach, and the discipline to build one step at a time. Use your LMS’s native tools to create a course that’s well-organized, interactive, and focused on real learning.
The technology is already there. The strategy is up to you.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a mobile-responsive, SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make LMS Portals the ideal SaaS-based eLearning platform for our clients and our Reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages