What is a learning management system?
A learning management system (LMS) is software for developing, managing and providing specific educational courses and training programs. By applying a learning management system, it is much easier to communicate studying materials to different audiences during online classes or offline instruction sessions.
Learners can contact their instructors in person, watch recorded tutorials, or use various training materials like asynchronous online discussions, quizzes, self-assessments, simulations, problem-solving, and videos. The latest learning management systems are mobile-friendly, which accounts for their growing popularity.
What can you use an LMS for?
An LMS is an ideal tool for undertaking different learning activities. That is why more and more companies of all sizes are implementing learning management systems for several purposes:
Train the staff
Companies in various industries encounter the necessity of teaching their staff new skills or providing them with professional training to upgrade their knowledge. A corporate LMS allows your workers to study all necessary materials online when they have time.
Onboard new staff
All business LMSs are very effective for automated enrolling of new personnel as newcomers can study the history of the company and compliance policies whenever they want. The system educates new employees on the company’s behavior code, privacy regulations, responsibilities, and career growth opportunities.
Accumulate and preserve knowledge
By utilizing an LMS, businesses can store very significant skills, data, and techniques obtained by workers during the previous years when they decide to leave or retire. The platform embraces a knowledge base that can be deployed by new hires or personnel from a different department.
Coach company customers and partners
An LMS is often applied to teach outside partners and attract new customers by informing them about the company’s products. If you provide services of mastering soft skills for workers, a training program can be tailored in an LMS and allocated among the clients.
Educate remotely
Modern LMSs help multinational companies overcome geographical barriers and get their workers involved in education practices. Online courses allow trainees to get access to the studying materials and join webinars from any corner of the world.
Encourage general education
This can be a school providing online tutorials, a regular educational institution offering in-person training, a company educating its customers, or even a public agency assisting with public education.
Benefits of a learning management system
Both businesses and learners can benefit from LMSs and the outcomes can be far-reaching.
Advantages of a learning management system for businesses:
- shorten learning costs,
- minimize training and onboarding time,
- educate regardless of the distance,
- monitor learners’ progress,
- estimate how learning affects performance,
- update training content fast,
- enhance knowledge retention,
- motivate employees to grow professionally, and
- cultivate the tradition of continuous learning.
Advantages of a learning management system for learners:
- free of charge skill development,
- learning activities that really work,
- self-paced learning process,
- obtaining new skills from anywhere, and
- unrestricted access to training materials.
Key features of the learning management system
A successful LMS is expected to have the following characteristics:
- AI technologies for the personalization of learning practices,
- different formats of content,
- automation of administration tasks,
- eLearning assessment tools,
- mobile-friendly design,
- easy to navigate interface,
- gamification of the training course,
- creating and managing a course catalog,
- integration with third-parties, and
- customer support services.
LMS examples
iSpring Learn
This modern LMS is a perfect solution for businesses prioritizing a smooth and comprehensive studying experience for the staff or customers. iSpring Learn boasts its abundant features and user-friendliness.
Moodle
As a free LMS Moodle, it is the top choice among universities. This platform is a bright example of applying an LMS for education purposes. It puts a strong emphasis on the social issues of studying, ensuring effective interaction of students with their lecturers, instructors, and tutors.
SAP Litmos
This robust software is a striking example of enterprise learning management systems. Many leading companies worldwide utilize this all-in-one training platform to reinforce their educating programs, onboard new workers, and develop new skills.