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Learning Management Systems: Basic Functions and Benefits
We have all heard concerning Learning Management Systems (LMSs), but some of us may not know what the fuss is all about. This article shares some important information on Learning Management Systems; their features, functions, benefits, and purpose.
Learning Management Systems
An LMS is an online software or system which is utilized in planning, executing, and assessing a specific learning process. In simple words, the software utilized in eLearning programs and which assists in administration, recording, tracking, and documentation. Learning Management Systems are utilized to maintain online collaboration over the internet. Companies and colleges use them to deliver online training; companies use them for training purposes and for maintaining employee records. Some use them to provide courses that offer learners access to education, and some others as an online system that staff use to support course delivery and provide online learning and blended learning opportunities for learners and employees.
Purpose
The major objective of Learning Management Systems is to improve the learning process. A Learning Management System delivers content and handles registering courses, reporting, tracking, skill gap analysis, and course administration. Most LMSs are web-based and are employed in various educational institutes and organizations to improve classroom learning methodology, teaching, as well as company records. They are used in different industries and scenarios such as in financial services, compliance training, online assessment, online assessment, computer-based training, x application sharing, and so on. Also, some LMSs include a performance management system that encompasses employee appraisal, competency management, and skill gap analysis.
Advantages of Learning Management Systems
Streamlined training process
Utilizing a Learning Management System makes things easier for you since it helps plan the training activities calendar that you can share with your learners, co-administrators, and trainers. By doing this, you can maintain and enhance your training process. Additionally, an LMS helps in getting trainer reports, which is a time-consuming process when done manually.
Ability to deliver motivating and engaging training
This is a fact that every person learns in a unique manner. In case you apply different learning approaches, they increase the rate of your success. LMSs assist in communication and balance the whole system.
Technology leverage
In this digital era, the working system has totally transformed. Today each employee is engaged with a desktop or laptop, and with the help of Learning Management Systems, you make the training future-ready; also, it becomes exciting and exciting for your target audience.
Centralized learning
It becomes easy to provide a centralized source of learning to many users, and the training, performance, as well as content can be accessed from the same source.
Tracking and reporting features
The other benefit of using an LMS is that you can improve performance through tracking and reporting tools. New users’ progress can be tracked, users can register for more than one course, and records can be reviewed. Learning can be done via web-based training. Management may access the records and calculate areas that require improvement. The students also become aware of the areas that require improvement and extra effort, as the weak performance areas can be identified easily.
Evaluation abilities
Users can evaluate courses before joining, and workers can keep track of the retention levels and real-time performance by periodically scheduling assignments.
Easy upgrades
Information and content can be easily upgraded, as Learning Management Systems provide a centralized location for information, which makes it easy to implement changes; additionally, all users get the same upgraded information at the same time.
Simplified learning process
A Learning Management System refines the learning process. The systems are simple to use, and a new user can figure out everything very quickly because help is built into the system.
Time saved and reduced cost
The right Learning Management System can reduce the training costs in many ways as the trainer does not need to travel now; thus, there are no boarding and lodging charges involved. The teaching expenses reduce to a great extent. LMS saves instructors’ and organizations’ valuable money and time through web-based training.
Interactive environment
Through new online tools, the communication and interaction part improve. Students get the answers in real-time, and the engagement is more geared toward being interactive.
Factors to Consider When Selecting an LMS
The time has come when you need to find out what type of Learning Management System would be the best choice for your business and make a decision. That’s a difficult one. We have all been there, so it is totally understandable. Is your budget adequate to get your own Learning Management System? Should you opt for a cloud-based Learning Management System solution? What if, money-wise, your limit is low and you require to consider attempting an open-source LMS solution? No worries, here are the top things you should consider when choosing an LMS for your business.
What is the Reason You Require an LMS?
First things first, this is the basic clue that will determine what type of LMS can help you attain your goals. There are several ways an LMS can assist a business to grow. For instance, you might need an LMS for employee onboarding. Essentially, this is one of the most common use cases. Several organizations decide to use an LMS to support their new workers through their onboarding process. It can help newcomers learn more regarding your business culture, become informed about your products and services, understand standard business procedures, and acquire certain skills so that they are able to deliver when they really get their first projects.
What are the Major LMS Features That Fit Your Online Training Requirements?
When looking for the ideal LMS for your organization, there are numerous things you have to consider. You require to identify the factors that will make or break the deal for you when selecting the right Learning Management System. Focus on your unique online training needs. The way you assess those parameters is what will assist you reach a decision with a good ROI. Pay attention to your online training requirements and goals so as choose the right LMS solution without regrets.
Data-Driven Results
Many organizations love data-driven results. In case you belong to this category, then obviously, you will want your LMS to have tracking and reporting features. The reports will assist you in getting the right results to evaluate and understand the ROI of your LMS. Also, they will help you evaluate and assess your online training efforts. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how long the lessons took, if your employees had to revisit some topics, or if they want more information about a subject. Reporting will reveal everything you want in order to make your online training courses more effective and engaging.
Tools for Testing and Assessment
The other great feature is the assessment and testing tools that your LMS requires to have. Such a feature is crucial to your Learning and Development team, mostly because it helps your trainers learn how they have performed. By employing such tools, they’ll know if the workers managed to retain the information after their training. That is, it will help assess the success of your online training program.
Mobile Application/Responsive Learning
Learning on various devices has become a trend in the last few years, so it might be one more feature to consider. Due to this, compatibility and multiple-device support should be of top priority to you. Particularly if you expect your employees to do this work on the go. Additionally, have in mind that Learning Management Systems with such features are the most user-friendly.
Customization Choice
A big company might also consider choosing an LMS that provides branding and customization. Customization options will definitely make your online learning project more appealing to your students. Other choices could be gamification elements, content delivery options, multiple languages, online training certificates, enrollment/welcome screens, role assignments, dashboards, etc.
Program Catalog Feature
Some organizations opt for a catalog feature when they implement their worker training. You will get endless possibilities, depending on the Learning Management Systems that you pick. Besides, you can create your own directory of online courses and search within the catalog by utilizing keywords, lecturers, categories, location, dates, or even exploring custom taxonomies. With this feature, you can showcase the number of lessons you are planning to provide in your LMS. You will also be able to decide which user will get to see certain programs and who will not.