While the foundation of an LMS, of course, remains the dissemination of information, the features that make it unique and of real value have changed. Here are 6 aspects to focus on as you plan to deploy a modernized learning management system for your organization.
Ease of Use
Every LMS must have a few basic features.The structure and UI of the system should be user-friendly and intuitive. Another useful feature, especially in a corporate learning setting, is Single Sign-On, which makes admins’ task of assigning and removing access, as well as user login, easier.
Mobile Support
Users expect to be able to quickly sign in from their personal mobile device, track progress, listen to lectures, take quizzes, check attendance, and in short, use all features of the LMS, even on the go. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your LMS functions well on mobile devices. A native mobile app for iOS, Android and Windows is a great way to achieve this. Offline support to ensure that learning continues even in the absence of a strong internet connection would be very useful too.
Analytics and Reports
Detailed analytics and reportage options – statistics on time spent, courses taken, correct and wrong answers, custom reports, and so much more – add tremendous value to learning outcomes. These stats can help you track everything from training gaps to the helpfulness quotient of each resource and discussion thread, to even the ROI of the learning process as a whole.
Personalized Learning
An LMS that supports multiple learning paths allows users to skip what they already know, return multiple times to difficult concepts, and take the course at their own pace. The system can also recommend courses based on interest and doesn’t force a one-size-fits-all approach to training; something that can dramatically improve learning outcomes.
Motivational Tools
Keeping learners motivated is arguably the most difficult part of eLearning. A modern LMS could use elements of gamification to increase engagement: points, levels, progress record on public leaderboards, badges, levels and awards, to name a few. A clear understanding of relative standing can be a wonderful motivator. Built-in social tools also allow users to share successes with each other for friendly competition and increased social capital.
Social and Collaborative Learning
Beyond gamification, another great way to keep learners active is through social tools such as chat and forums. By giving them the ability to interact with one another and with experts through posts, comments and queries, users are more involved in the learning process and more likely to engage with the course material. Community functions like discussion boards, content ratings and upvoting don’t just allow for collaboration – they also give you a better understanding of which elements of the course and the LMS are appreciated by your users, and which are not.
At CloudNow, LMS Modernization is an area of specialization that we take pride in. So if you are considering developing a user-friendly, reliable, robust and engaging LMS that suits the training needs of your organization, contact our experts today.
