17 Jan Learning Management: Not Just for Schools

With the global rise of the internet, traditional forms of learning have given way to new and modern learning methods. Organisations around the world have likewise shifted to contemporary methods for educating and training employees. This is especially true in the world right now, as working from home and remote training become necessities for businesses.

Learning management isn’t just for schools. Businesses of all industries and sizes can benefit from a reliable learning management system, or LMS! An LMS helps businesses, learning institutions and other organisations deliver virtual course content and training materials to employees or students.

To get the most out of your learning management system for your business, you’ll need to understand how an LMS works, the benefits it can bring and how to choose the right one for your needs. Let’s get started!

What Are Learning Management Systems, and What Are They Used For?

You may still be wondering, “What is a learning management system?” To be more precise than our brief introduction, an LMS is a software or web-based application designed for planning, executing and evaluating specific learning processes, often used as part of e-learning. Learning management systems operate with a server for function and a user interface for navigation. They give course instructors features to create and deliver course content, as well as track participant progress and performance. For learners, an LMS can include many features for learning and collaboration.

Who can use an LMS? Any business or organization, local and national government agencies, schools and learning institutions, and more! The standardization of learning management systems is spearheaded by the Advance Distance Learning Initiative, sponsored by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The ADL has developed a collection of specifications known as the Shareable Content Objective Reference Model (SCORM) in order to assist the standardization of learning management systems. 

Learning management systems are commonly used for knowledge management, which is the collection, organization, sharing and analyzing of any organization’s knowledge (such as documents, resources and people skills). An LMS is also frequently used in corporate settings for onboarding processes, training new employees or providing continued education and training courses. 

Finally, you can also use an LMS as part of extended enterprise training to help your customers and other business partners learn how to navigate a new software application or product.

Benefits of a Learning Management System

The versatility of an LMS is clear, but what are the benefits of a learning management system? 

Here are five primary benefits for all users:

1. Storage and Organization — Learning management systems are designed to store and sort large amounts of data. This makes it easier to keep all of your course and user information in one securely encrypted yet still easily accessible place.
2. Customizable Experiences — An LMS provides many tools and features for instructors to customize their courses and for learners to grow at their own pace. It’s easy to create multiple courses for different jobs, training topics and skill levels. Students and employees can also be given the opportunity to chart their own learning path with the provided course content.
3. Progress Tracking — Learning management systems offer administrators and instructors the ability to track the progress of learners throughout a course, as well as monitor assessments and engagements. This can help you develop better and more effective online course content over time.
4. Improved Access — An LMS is the perfect solution to the remote working and training environment. Users are able to access their e-learning content from anywhere, whether that be on a desktop computer, laptop or mobile phone. With tight security protections in place, you can be assured that users can learn safely anywhere at any time.
5. Distribution of Resources — With everything tracked in a learning management system, you can easily identify which aspects of your learning or training courses need development and which usability features users may be struggling with. An LMS helps pinpoint areas for growth so that you don’t waste time and resources.

 

Choosing Your LMS

The final step for your business will be choosing a learning management system, particularly one that can meet your specific needs. 

Keep these features and capabilities in mind when shopping for your LMS:

• Assessing Learner’s Needs — You should have an idea of what you will be using your LMS for and what your learners will be needing to gain from it. This will affect the features you look for in an LMS. Training courses can be expected to feature basic navigation and content delivery, whereas interactive programs can be expected to feature discussion boards, drawing features, etc.
• Mobile Focus — In today’s remote work and remote learning environment, mobile phones are becoming more frequent devices than laptops or desktop computers to get work and learning done. Make sure your LMS is mobile responsive, meaning it can easily adapt to all device screens.
• Seamless Integration — If you plan to use your LMS in coordination with other programs, then integration is a must. Look for features such as single-sign-on (SSO) or webhooks for easy customization. Some LMS platforms can also connect directly with social media platforms!
• Licensing and Pricing Structures — Pricing structures vary from platform to platform, and how you plan to use your LMS will affect how you decide on the best payment plan. Common options include lifetime licensing, monthly or annual subscriptions, per-user pricing, upper threshold limits on users or content, and batch discounts. Always thoroughly research pricing options, as well as other aspects such as hidden charges and cancellation policies.
• Eliminating Unnecessary Features — If you aren’t going to use a feature for your LMS, then you likely don’t need it. Plus, an overly complex LMS can be difficult for both your instructors and learners to navigate. Instead, focus on the features that are your top priorities when searching for an LMS in order to save costs and save others from a frustrating experience.
• Content Delivery — Learning content is the core of your LMS. To make your learning and training courses effective, delivering the best content is crucial. Be sure to look for a learning management system that is compatible with the types of content you will implement, such as video, audio, text-based documents, images and more. Consider also features such as certificates, surveys and quizzes.
• Reporting and Analysis — Some of the most important benefits of learning management systems are reporting and analysis functions for continued growth. It’s important to figure out which types of reports will be the most useful to you as you track your LMS performances. Reports can focus on courses, users and organization, or they can be fully customized.
• Customer Support Availability — When it comes to technology, there will inevitably be a time that you’ll need support. Your LMS provider should hopefully be available 24/7. Better yet, look for a provider that offers customer support through the phone, email or even live chat.
• Security and Dependability — Security should be a high priority for every business. Choose a secure LMS that relies on modern encryption methods, including firewalls and SSL to keep your content and user data protected. The dependability of the LMS provider and the LMS technology itself is also essential to investigate before making a final decision.
• Future Proofing — Your LMS isn’t only going to serve your needs in the present moment. It’s also going to serve you in the future! Find out how often your provider upgrades their LMS services and how they plan to support customers during upgrades. You can also look for an LMS that offers customizable features to grow as your business and learning management needs grow together.

 

LMS Services You Can Count On

Looking for a secure, reliable and flexible learning management system for your business or organization? Look no further than eZnet LMS from Virtual Stacks Systems UK! Our LMS is user-friendly, easy to set up, compatible with many file types, offers reporting features and is protected with the latest security measures. We also offer 24/7 customer support! Contact us today to get started.