Imagine that you have hundreds and even thousands of students, employees or clients around the world and want to train them. Such a lesson requires close cooperation with several services, and the organization of training and advanced training can take several months only at the initial stage of preparation, not to mention the management of their knowledge. The learning management system offers the use of modern technologies that make it possible to manage all aspects of the activity.
Varieties of Knowledge Management Systems
Over the past ten years, various methods of managing training programs (LMS) have emerged. They are designed for students, teachers and administrators. These include:
- Moodle
- Canvas
- eCollege;
- Cornerstone;
- SumTotal
- WebCT (currently owned by Blackboard).
All learning management systems have existed for more than twenty years. They have become more accessible and widespread thanks to the Internet and the growing number of commercial colleges and universities. They are used to post information and create educational opportunities for people.
Initially, training platforms were used to document and conduct online, asynchronous, computer-based training over the Internet.
Today, these types of platforms offer not only the aforementioned features, but also streaming or synchronous training. In addition, they allow you to create analytical reports that help organizations determine performance indicators. LMS schools are used by all universities in Europe, Canada and the USA. Many run programs when working with graduate students and students who graduate from the final master's courses.
Differences between platforms
They are also used by organizations to train their employees. Although most of these platforms can be used in each of the different types of companies, they are usually focused on a particular area.
This is largely due to the fact that training takes place differently depending on whether you are an educational institution or a private business. In addition, educational institutions monitor the performance of users according to estimates, while private businesses may offer certificates and / or badges showing achievements. LMS schools for universities use educational platforms for various reasons.
Remote Learning Features
These include the possibility of enrolling students who are not near the campus, which increases the number of applicants. Classes are not limited to the size of the audience. This also corresponds to how much you prefer to study: at your own time and at the right pace or using the tactical strategy of getting a course through managed parts or modules.
On the other hand, organizations focus on staff development. If we talk about the main advantages of the LMS for training employees, developing skills and succession planning, it is worth bearing in mind that it does not provide practical knowledge. That is, the funded system acts like a theory, which can then be reflected in the work.
Initially, organizations used compliance training platforms audited by government agencies, as well as a built-in tool for new employees. This is an introduction to the course, an awareness of the duties of the position. There are many advantages, but there are also disadvantages of the OMS. Therefore, some companies have begun to introduce learning platforms as a tool for continuous improvement, offering knowledge that goes beyond compliance and adaptation.
How much do they cost?
The cost of the entire learning management system depends on specialization and direction. For example, a course to improve knowledge in an MBA platform can cost a company several thousand dollars for one department. The Moodle LMS Learning Management System is free, but requires special skills to configure. Also, the open source program makes it easy to update and configure components. There is another factor that needs to be taken into account - this is the time required for the programmer to develop and configure, and sometimes adaptation and translation into the user's language is required.
Most of these types of LMS are purchased for corporations where there are no fixed costs, regardless of the number of users, and the data is stored on their own servers. In other words, this is WYSIWYG - an e-learning in the form of a distance learning course.
Another option is to purchase it as SAAS (software as a service), where data is stored in the cloud or on the provider's servers. This model typically includes provider assistance and automatic updates.
Features and Benefits of LMS
There are homework here, and it is important that you answer all the questions correctly, otherwise the course can be repeated only after a long time. It is also important to understand how you will use it not only today, but also in the future. After all, there are many services that are ready to implement platforms in a remote learning management system, where students will be private individuals (at home).
In addition, there are several different types of training platforms where you can add plugins to improve their functionality.
Technical component
One area requiring careful consideration is the ability of the LMS to analyze and report data. You should also consider whether it can interact with other systems, such as HRIS (Information Management System for Personnel Management) or SIS (Information System for Students).
Depending on the add-ons, you need to search and make decisions about adapting the platform. If students then become part of the company, for example after an internship, some programs need to be changed so that they are compatible with several systems.
Protection technology
Some types of e-learning are encrypted. There are built-in testers and tools for creating courses that allow you to create your own tests and questionnaires that are downloaded to the system. If there are no such built-in tools, consider integrating LMS with other software tools. It should accept various types of file formats, such as:
In addition, a good Learning Management System program should be convenient for mobile devices. The most important aspect to consider is UI (user interface) and UX (user experience). Do you want users to feel comfortable working with the training platform? Then you need to make sure that students can work with LMS and embed personal files there through the user interface and UX, for example, applications from trainers, publications of other students, instant messengers and networks for connections.
How to use LMS?
Firstly, the history of the emergence of a learning management system is associated with industry issues that did not allow expanding and developing trade relations. Workers were less skilled, and it took too much time and money to train and become professionals.
To technically become part of the program, users must understand the essence of its work. In addition, there is such a thing as an entry fee from management, which is communicated through the ROI system (return on investment). That is, the contribution to the employee occurred, which means that you need to compensate for the return through the passage and study of the material. This is taken into account in the corporate ethics of the United States, since programs are created on the basis of the Western mentality.
What should not be forgotten?
One of the most neglected strategies when purchasing and implementing LMS is related to connecting it to the goals of the organization. In fact, this should be one of the first things to learn before installing the package. Using a specific strategy, you increase the chances of gaining profit. But not all programs can be used effectively. They may not fit into a business structure. The corporate learning management system should not be perceived as an additional program on the desktop, but should be an individual monitoring of the growth of the educational scale.
Are there any pitfalls in using LMS?
The first potential trap that comes to mind is the right kind of program variant. The time and cost of factors that influence its development and training in use can be high. Switching from one LMS to another is not as easy as it sounds. Think about how you will use your system in the future, consider the possibility of adding features.
Another problem is the scalability of the program. You need an LMS that can grow with your organization. You need to be able to quickly add users. Remember that the cost of LMS often depends on the number of employees, so the costs will increase as the number of persons added.
Probably the most underestimated mistake is the inability to use the system at the optimal level. This may be due to the way you set up courses for data processing. In other words, is it easy to find what you are looking for?
- Perhaps your system has a built-in calendar that allows you to schedule direct communication sessions.
- Some training platforms allow you to send push notifications to users to remind them or encourage them to register for specific courses or training.
- In addition, some training platforms can customize landing pages and search capabilities that can improve UX.
- Some features that are built into the system, such as discussion forums or reporting tools, may not be used.
Using all the tools that LMS can provide, you increase the effectiveness of training and the acquisition of quality knowledge.
Important nuance
If you decide to use open source LMS or create your own, consider the time factor for its development. If you purchase a ready-made package, then study the technical documentation that will provide users with support. As a rule, expensive control systems do not notify of such changes, and notifications rarely come to the post office or to personal accounts.
Several MSA programs
Consider a few good learning management systems. Technical aspects and opportunities for adding tools, maintenance are at the highest level.
- eCoach is a flexible LMS and authorization tool on one platform. It is easy to use thanks to a simple and intuitive interface that resembles an Apple product, not an LMS. You can tag your eCoach campus with your logo, customize fonts and colors, and even change the wording of the feedback that appears on campus.
- eFront offers a powerful and easily adaptable learning management platform for any business. There are local and cloud options. This is an optimized program for mobile devices, ready for e-commerce. The system is equipped with flexible deployment solutions, advanced security features and fully customizable features.
- LearnUpon has a complete set of tools for managing the course and student engagement. The package comes with a flexible lecturer, which allows you to expand the lessons with texts, images, videos, surveys. The lectures are also equipped with multilingual support and mobile optimization so that all students can easily access the content of the classes. LearnUpon is used to motivate, enhance gamification and monitor progress.
When choosing a learning management system, you should also pay attention to such programs as Docebo, TalentLMS, Litmos and others. Students of different specialties need separate projects that would accommodate all the lectures.