Creating and Using a Learning Management System
Purpose of a Learning Management System
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of electronic educational technology (also called e-learning) courses or training programs.
The key to understanding the difference between LMS and other computer education terms is to understand the systemic nature of LMS. LMS is the framework that handles all aspects of the learning process. An LMS is the infrastructure that delivers and manages instructional content, identifies and assesses individual and organizational learning or training goals, tracks the progress towards meeting those goals, and collects and presents data for supervising the learning process of the organization as a whole. A Learning Management System delivers content but also handles registering for courses, course administration, skills gap analysis, tracking, and reporting.
Most LMSs are web-based to facilitate access to learning content and administration. They are also used by educational institutions to enhance and support classroom teaching and offering courses to a larger population of learners. LMSs are used by regulated industries (e.g. financial services and biopharma) for compliance training. Student self-service (e.g., self-registration on instructor-led training), training workflow (e.g., user notification, manager approval, wait-list management), the provision of on-line learning (e.g.,computer-based training, read & understand), on-line assessment, management of continuous professional education (CPE), collaborative learning (e.g., application sharing, discussion threads), and training resource management (e.g., instructors, facilities, equipment), are all-important dimensions of learning management systems.
Some LMS providers include "performance management systems", which encompass employee appraisals, competency management, skills-gap analysis, succession planning, and multi-rater assessments (i.e., 360 degree reviews). Modern techniques now employcompetency-based learning to discover learning gaps and guide training material selection.
Merits of Using LMS
Benefit #1: Centralized Learning
The first benefit to using a learning management system is it offers a centralized source of learning. This means that the training, performance, and development content are offered at all times from the same source. Multiple users can access the information at any given time. These systems ensure consistency in the evaluation and delivery of the material, meaning every user sees the same content through the same manner. These systems let the user design customized training modules that can be used to introduce new equipment, update equipment, or modify operating procedures.
Benefit #2: Tracking and Reporting Features
The second benefit to using a learning management system is that you can enhance performance through tracking and reporting tools. Progress of new users can be tracked, records can be reviewed, and users can register for more than one course. Employers are able to offer the courses through web-based training, webinars, and other forms of instructor-led training. Management can then access the records of those who participated to analyze which areas need improvement. The learner can now put in additional efforts in the areas that are difficult for them, because learning management systems give users the ability to manipulate their learning pace.
Benefit #3: Evaluation Capabilities
The third benefit to using a learning management system is that it allows users to be evaluated before they take the course, while they are in the course, and when they finish the course. This means that employers can evaluate their retention levels through periodically scheduling assignments. They can then review the records to determine the levels of success. In educational settings, students can review their personal performance based on quizzes and tests that are administered by the professors.
Benefit #4: Easy Upgrades
The fourth benefit to using a learning management system is that the content and information in the course can be easily upgraded. Because the learning management system offers a centralized location for information, it is simple to make a change to the forms, requirements, product descriptions, or specifications. Users will get the same upgraded information at the same time.
Benefit #5: Simplified Learning Process
The fifth and final benefit to using a learning management system is that it simplifies the learning process. The systems are easy to use and new users can figure everything out easily. The systems accommodate multiple features including recording and tracking, documentation and administration, as well as classroom learning. These systems are affordable alternatives that offer scalable and personalized platforms for learning. They deliver integrated and enriched learning experiences for the users that expound upon virtual learning and collaboration modules.
Pitfalls of LMS
1. The LMS does not fully support key administrative processes.
This can be particularly true with the handling of continuing education credit. An organization may need to award different types of credit based on the type of learner, for example. Or, there may be reporting requirements for which the LMS does not easily provide the necessary data. Importing courses as well as authoring and managing assessments and evaluations are another area where you want to be sure an LMS supports what the organization really needs.
2. The LMS does not fully support the necessary sales/e-commerce models.
For example, organizations may need to provide discounts for bulk sales, or bundle various products together (books + courses, etc), or issue codes so that multiple employees at a member organization can enroll in a course.
3. The LMS does not integrate in an optimal way with other key systems.
Historically this has meant mainly the AMS system (and, as such, tends to go along with the two points above) and Webinar/Webcast systems, but increasingly it also means social media, event management systems, and various tools for managing knowledge and collaboration.
4. The LMS does not support marketing effectively.
At a minimum, having good ability to manage e-mail communication with learners – whether through native capabilities in the LMS or good integration with popular e-mail systems – is a must. Suggestive selling, recommendations and rating – basically “Amazon-like” stuff is also becoming increasingly desirable.
5. Content cannot be gotten out of (or into) the LMS easily.
Sometimes LMSes have proprietary authoring environments from which content cannot be exported or cannot be exported in a way that makes the content usable in another system. Even if the on-demand content in a LMS is SCORM-conformant, it may be difficult to export other content that is associated with the SCORM modules (discussions, documents, etc.) In some cases (thankfully fewer these days), LMSes are not SCORM-conformant, so you cannot easily track activity in the content you import into the system.
6. The LMS support for anything beyond on-demand training is limited or non-existent.
Most LMSes were developed originally as “launch and track” databases for self-paced training. Vendors vary widely in how well they have evolved to support more interactive forms of learning.
7. The LMS does not easily support usage by chapters, components, etc.
Most LMSes are not really designed to “cascade” access to the system in a way that makes it possible for chapters, components, and other key groups in the association ecosystem to have the ability to manage their own branded instance of the system.
8. In general, the usability is not what it could be.
Basically, the users find the system hard to use and/or the administrators find the system hard to use. Probably the most common complaint we encounter.
Learning Management System in Elementary
Components of LMS
There are close to 600 varieties of LMS available for purchase today. Each is unique, and possesses a feature set to meet the needs of a variety of trainers and educators. Some common components or features that can be found in many eLearning platforms include:
1. Rosters: A digital roll call sheet for tracking attendance and for sending invitations to class participants.
2. Registration Control: The ability to monitor and customize the registration processes of elearning curriculum.
3. Document Management: Upload and management of documents containing curricular content.
4. Multiple device access: Delivery of course content over web-based interfaces such as desktops, phones or tablets.
5. Distributed instructor and student base: Remote participation by the instructor or pupil allows courseware to feature multiple teachers or experts from across the globe.
6. Course calendars: Creation and publication of course schedules, deadlines and tests.
7. Student Engagement: Interaction between and among students, such as instant messaging, email, and discussion forums.
8. Assessment and testing: Creation of varied knowledge retention exercises such as short quizzes and comprehensive exams
9. Grading and Scoring: Advanced tracking and charting of student performance over time.
