Choosing eLearning Management Systems

The learning management system market is likely to be worth $15.72 billion by the end of 2021. The highest share of proceeds is projected to be generated in North America. Many large organizations now utilize some learning technology so as to educate workers during formal training hours. Also, around half of high school classes will be online learning-based. It is clear that online learning has transformed the way we look at the acquisition of skills and knowledge. Thus, there is a high demand for LMSs to manage and implement online learning.

This article focuses on factors to consider when selecting the best LMS that meets your online virtual needs.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Learning Management System

There are numerous LMSs platforms available on the market. Some of the LMSs include Canvas, Totara Learn, Open edX, Moodle, Absorb LMS, and Talent LMS. Selecting the best learning management system can be an extremely difficult exercise. We have all been there, and it is understandable. Do you have adequate resources to get your own learning management system? Should you consider a cloud-based learning management solution? What if, financially, you have a low limit and you require to consider an open-source learning management system? Worry no more; here are the top things you require to take into consideration when selecting an LMS for your school.

Why You Require a Learning Management System

This determines the type of learning management system that can assist you in accomplishing your goals. You may require a learning management system to use in delivering online learning content to students. You may need an LMS to deliver, manage, and track results and generate reports for virtual programs. A learning management system provides all functionality needed for organizations that provides online learning opportunities that are available to users 24/7. You only need an internet connection in order to learn online.

A learning management system provides online learning developers with insights regarding how students are utilizing and navigating through an online course. The capability of an LMS to track results of courses and produce reports assist in ensuring that a school meets its online learning and course management objectives.

The Key Learning Management System Features That are Aligned to Your Online Learning Requirements

When looking for the best learning management system for your school, there are many factors to take into consideration. You should focus on your unique virtual learning needs. The manner in which you assess those factors is what would assist you in reaching a good learning platform. Consider your virtual learning requirements and goals so as to select the appropriate learning management system platform without regrets.

Data-Driven Results

Most schools want data-driven outcomes. In case you are in this class, then apparently, you will require your learning management system to have reporting and tracking features. Additionally, reports will assist you in getting the correct results. Also, they will assist in evaluating and assessing your virtual teaching hard work. Also, you will have the opportunity to determine how long the classes took, if some of the students had to revisit some topics, or if they require additional information regarding a subject. Moreover, reporting can reveal everything that you require so as to make virtual learning programs more effective and engaging.

Assessment and Testing Tools

The other key feature is the testing and assessment tools that a learning management system requires to have. These tools are essential in online learning since they assist teachers in determining the performance and progress of learners. By utilizing these tools, teachers will be able to know whether students managed to retain information after the course. That’s, it will assist in evaluating the success of your virtual learning course.

Mobile Application/ Responsive Learning

Studying on numerous devices has been a trend over the last years; hence it may be one of the factors to take into consideration. Here, multiple-device support and compatibility ought to be your top consideration, particularly if you want your learners to start learning instantly. Note that learning management systems with these features are user-friendly.

Customization Options

Learning institutions should also consider selecting a learning management system that provides customization. Tailoring choices will certainly make online learning more appealing to students and teachers. Other options might include dashboards, content delivery options, role assignments, enrollment screens, multiple languages, online learning certificates, and gamification elements.

xAPI or SCORM Compliance

You may be in a learning organization or industry which sticks to the content that utilizes these technical standards. Notably, these online learning standards offer you the capability to trace and track the results of your students in your learning management system. xAPI compliance is a perfect tool if you want to share training between multiple systems and applications. xAPI is an important component of online learning, particularly if you have interests in mobile and informal learning. It assists in tracking the progress of your students and because online learning current is all about data as well as personalized education paths. On the other hand, SCORM compliance is crucial as it enables you to create your virtual programs in any authoring setting and then run them in a SCORM-compliant learning management system.

Course Catalog Features

Some learning institutions prefer a catalog feature as they implement online learning. The course catalog feature has endless benefits based on the LMS that you select. Additionally, it enables users to create their own directory of virtual courses, explore within the catalog utilizing categories, dates, lectures, location, keywords, and even search for custom taxonomies. With the course catalog future, you can show the number of lessons that you intend to provide in your LMS platform. Also, you might decide which user will have access to some specific courses and those who won’t.

Audience

You should consider your audience or students. Learning management systems ought to be accessible through many platforms such as laptops, desktops, tablets, or smartphones. With the continuous growth of mobile devices utilized in schools and work, consider a learning management system such as CourseMill LMS since it has the ability to track and deliver courses on mobile devices. You should analyze the base of your learners and establish browsers and devices that you require.

Learning Management System Comparison: Open Source LMS Vs. Cloud-Based

Many learning institutions wonder which learning management system can best meet their learning needs. These learning management systems have a long history. Over the years, with the advancement of technology, other features have been added, hence resulting in differences.

Advantages of a Cloud-Based Learning Management System

If you choose a cloud-based learning management system, one key advantage you get is that it does not require installation, hence faster deployment. In regard to budget, expenses depend on the needs of the client, which makes it affordable and more efficient in some instances. Actually, a cloud-based learning management system has significantly low start-up costs. This learning management system is hosted in the server of the provider; hence the provider offers maintenance and data security. Also, this learning management system is user-friendly.

Additionally, it has automatic software updates, providing you with additional free features. A cloud-based LMS is mobile-friendly because it’s optimized for responsive design. It is a better choice for those who want to deliver virtual learning to numerous locations. Experts of the provider offer 24/7 support; hence you do not worry concerning data security and maintenance. A cloud-based LMS provides subscription plan scalability, which makes it to be less costly. The providers of this LMS also give customers a free trial.

Advantages of an Open-Source LMS

An open-source LMS needs a setup and installation. One major benefit of this learning management system is that it has free solutions and it is cost-effective. Most learning management system tools have a price-setting model that may exceed the budget of the shopper. An open-source learning management system is a better option for learning institutions that need an affordable learning management system. This kind of learning management system is installed on the server of the organization; hence the data and maintenance care is left to the user.

Nevertheless, if you choose this learning management system, you will have to handle updates manually. Additionally, you can get support from user communities and forums. Utilizing a free learning management system typically provides you with limited courses and features. You may not have many users. Nevertheless, you will still have a good synopsis of the software, hence making it the best online platform. Because an open-source learning management system is an open tool, it has choices for enhancements and modification for the users.

Resources and References:

• Why You Need a Learning Management System
• Advantages of a Cloud-based LMS
• Benefits of an Open-Source Learning Management System
• What is xAPI and SCORM Compliance