While elearning has been around for well over two decades now, many organisations are still in the process of making the transition from a traditional training approach.
Those that have decided to take the plunge are faced with a variety of questions. From deciding the extent to which they want to integrate an elearning approach to their training, to picking out the right tools for the job, making the transition from traditional corporate training to elearning is not an easy task.
With this blog post, we’re trying to answer questions related to one of the most widely used technologies within the elearning realm, learning management systems (LMS).
Let’s begin by understanding what an LMS is:
What Is A Learning Management System?
In simplest terms, a learning management system is used to deploy and track training initiatives. Training content and other training assets are “fed into” the LMS by the trainers, which then become accessible by the learners.
The most popular for of LMS platforms are cloud-based LMS that only require an internet-enabled device to function. Learners and instructors can log into the LMS vendor’s platform using their login credentials and get access to training material anytime and anywhere.
The market has been flooded with a number of LMS platforms to choose from. While having too many choices is never a bad thing, the abundance of options can often confuse customers.
If you are looking for an LMS, make sure to look out for the following features:
Intuitive User Interface
A great and intuitive user interface is perhaps the most important feature for a learning management system. For a platform that is supposed to deploy training to your employees, there should be a minimal learning curve involved with using the platform and its features.
Most LMS providers offer users a free trial. We recommend using this trial to see if the complexity and features of the LMS align with the needs of your organisation and the technical capabilities of your average employee.
Responsive Design
Many organisations switch to elearning after they realise how accessible this technology really is. While being able to access learning content through the internet is extremely convenient, making sure the same content can be accessed on a mobile device is just as important.
The number of smartphone users surpassed the number of desktop users last year and the trend is expected to continue. In such a scenario, it pays to be prepared for the mobile revolution, even in terms of training. Not to forget, being able to access training content on a mobile device allows learners to consume training content whenever and wherever they see fit. For instance, a learner can consume training content during their commute to the office, or for a few hours during the weekend.
Tracking And Assessment Capabilities
A great learning management system will be able to track the interaction of individual students with the learning material. With in-depth data about how much time each module or lesson took, the concepts that were revised, instructors can pinpoint problem areas for each student and address them during classroom sessions or in the following modules.
Conclusion
When chosen with diligence, a learning management system has the potential to supercharge the results of your corporate training efforts. Do you have any other questions regarding learning management systems? We would be happy to answer them in the comment section!