The most relevant features offered in an LMS which relate directly to effective online instruction include:

• Teacher Information Tools which include the Bulletin Board and Course News which is important for keeping students informed on what is going on in the classroom.
• Communication Tools such as email, IM and discussion boards which help to foster community and collaboration between students and teachers.
• Course Assessment Tools such as rubrics, dropboxes, quizzes and tests which help students to demonstrate their learning.
• Grade/Gradebook Tools which enable students, teachers and parents to see how students are progressing in the course and if remediation is necessary.

Without these four key tools effective online instruction would not be able to exist.