LMS software, or computer-based training software, helps educational institutions and businesses to deliver knowledge via online learning programs — which is vital in today’s fast-paced digital world.
All workflows are tracked online with set parameters ensuring students have access to and complete learning modules. LMS systems automate the entire process, from start to finish.
Built-in systems include:
- Developing curricula and learning courses to educate students/employees in specific areas to teach them relevant skills
- Tracking the results of such programs to ensure attendees are staying on schedule
- Allows students to demonstrate competencies and gain certifications that are relevant to their role
- Providing statistics and reporting to give more insight into the success of their learning programs
Features of Learning Management Systems
| Certification /compliance | Includes setting up, tracking and managing certification programs for industries that require employee certification. This also manages compliance training, which could be a need for any industry. |
| Learning | Helps users organize and simplify training or learning administration, which includes processes such as distributing content, managing user information, scheduling and overseeing course enrollment. |
| Virtual classroom | Platforms include video conferencing functionality, enabling instructors to lead live, remote classes and trainings through the platform. |
| Course library | Some vendors partner with training content creators to provide a pre-made library of training courses for generic training needs, such as those on sexual harassment policies or management techniques. |
| Extended enterprise | Allows organizations to train or teach external users, such as channel partners or customers. E-commerce functionality may be included here, as well, to allow training courses to be sold externally. |
| Proficiency testing /reporting | Allows users to administer tests to gauge employee/student knowledge or skill. Analytics and reporting functionality helps determine proficiency and identify learning gaps. |
| Content authoring | Gives users the ability to author their own content and design and deliver courses within a LMS. E-learning authoring tools are often part of an LMS; learning content management systems (LCMSs) that facilitate the creation and storage of course content can be integreated into an LMS package as well. |
| Mobile learning | Allows learners to access and complete courses on a phone or tablet. |
| Social learning | A set of features, including course ratings, course sharing and commenting, course discussions or individual learner blogs, that allow learners to interact with one another in the LMS. |
What Type of Buyer Are You?
Before jumping in a choosing a system, you should assess what kind of needs you may have. The majority of people fall into one of these categories:
Education-industry. The most obvious buyers of learning management platforms are schools and universities. Courses offer students access to assignments and testing information via online-based LMSs created specifically for the purpose of learning knowledge and testing this across quiz, submit and other related mechanisms.
Corporate training. LMSs are building a strong showing in the corporate training areas. This is true in regulated industries where employees need to maintain certifications or licenses to comply with industry or government standards. Often a creative approach is taken when developing this course work as it needs to be tailored to fit a specific outcome.
A good LMS to visit is Quitech Learning