If you plan on teaching an online course or training, then you’ll most likely need an LMS. An LMS stands for Learning Management System. It’s a learning platform where you can launch everything you need to teach your course. This includes enrollment, text, video, audio, assessments, additional links, and more.
There are tons of LMS’s out there. So, how do you know which one to pick? And how do you know if it’s going to be effective or not? Well, depending on the needs of your course will change the LMS you select. But there are some basic “must-haves” that every LMS should have under its belt.
User-Friendly Interface
Have you ever used an LMS that is “glitchy”? Maybe you can’t seem to get to where you need to go or there’s too much lag between screens. Too often than not students, instructors, trainees, and other employees struggle with using their LMS’s.
Try to understand that not everyone will be an expert in using technology. The easier the LMS is to navigate and use, the better experience your learners will have.
Mobile Responsive Design
The year is 2020, people don’t complete their trainings on a desktop anymore. People are too busy for that and like to take things on the go. That’s why it's important to make sure your LMS is accessible on multiple devices. Your learners are more likely to engage in your content if they can access it wherever they want on their preferred devices.
Personalization and Future Potential
Everyone loves being able to customize their products. The same should go for your LMS. Having the flexibility to personalize your learner’s needs is always a bonus.
And when shopping for an LMS, don’t just look at what it can do for you now, but what it can accomplish for you later. Technology is always changing. Beyond personalization, can your LMS be continuously updated and adapt to the evolving world of tech?
Data and Analytics
Big data and analytics is a growing field. Major companies all over the world collect data to learn more about their consumers. It should be the same for your learners. You want your LMS to be able to collect and analyze data to show the progress and habits of your learners. This will help in the design and implementation of your future content.
Vendor Support
Let’s face it, LMS’s are expensive. It’s easy to see why companies and schools would purchase the one with the cheapest price tag. Just be careful because those vendors who offer the lowest price point are typically the “new kids on the block”.
Sometimes it’s worth spending the extra money if your vendor has been around for a while and is familiar to the eLearning industry. Unless your team are experts with the LMS you’re selecting, you’re going to want customer support from your vendors when you run into problems. Which you will.
Every organization’s LMS needs will vary. But these 5 “must-haves” are a good place to start. If your LMS can check off all of the above, then you and your team are in decent shape.
コメント