A Systematic Review of Learning Management Systems for Educational Continuity and Equitable Access

Abstract

Learning management systems became central to educational continuity during major disruptions, yet system availability did not ensure meaningful participation or learning. This structured integrative review synthesizes 289 publications across online learning, educational technology, teacher readiness, assessment, institutional resilience, and equity. Six dimensions organize the evidence: access and connectivity, learner engagement, teacher readiness, assessment integrity, institutional support, and equity and inclusion. The synthesis shows that continuity depends on a chain of conditions. Learners need reliable access and usable content; teachers need pedagogical and technical support; assessment requires credible design and proportionate safeguards; institutions need help systems, governance, and contingency planning. Weakness at any point shifts costs to students and widens existing inequalities. The paper contributes a continuity-capability framework, measurable indicators, and propositions for evaluating resilience beyond login counts or content delivery. The framework supports blended planning, targeted support, and empirical testing across education systems.