A LMS or Learning Management System is a software-based
online learning platform which helps in managing and measuring the
organization’s e-learning programs. The LMS has increasingly turned out to be a
powerful tool that helps the organizations improve their performance and reduce
attrition rate.
LMS deploy a wide variety of learning strategies such as
experimental, social learning, compliance training, formal training,
certification management etc. Such new advancements in online learning
platforms have helped modern learners to a greater extent.
Types of LMS Users
There are basically two types of LMS users:
Learners
They are the ones for whom all the training programs are
indented. The learners will be able to see their assigned courses, course
catalog, evaluations and they can even track their performance through the LMS.
The learners are assigned training as per their job function or role in the
organization or on an individual basis by the administrators.
Administrators
Administrators are responsible for the back end operations
of the LMS. The task of an administrator is a combination of multiple tasks
such as creating courses, learning plans, assigning the training to the learner
or learner group, tracking the learner’s performance etc.
Teachers
Teachers deploy the use of LMS in order to provide the
enhanced learning experience to students and keep track of the progress being
made by the students.
LMS Deployment Options
Cloud Based or SaaS
Here the learning Management Systems are hosted on the
cloud. All the technical updates and system maintenance is carried out by the
LMS vendor. All the users of the LMS are given a username and a password
for logging. This is the first choice of the corporate as no additional
software or infrastructure is needed. In fact, the organizations can get
started as soon as possible. The only drawback of this deployment
option is that the LMS cannot be customized.
2. Self-Hosted
Here the LMS requires the downloading of the software. The
user can directly download the site from the vendor’s site or can avail
physical software discs from the vendor. These self-hosted LMS
platforms allow greater customization and control. Here the user needs to pay
for the updates.
3. Desktop/ Mobile Application
The Learning Management System is installed on the desktop
or the LMS app can be installed on the mobile phones. This makes it accessible
anytime and anywhere which helps in collaborating all the skill development
courses.
LMS Customer Types
Large Enterprises
By deploying global online training initiatives over LMS,
the large organizations can track their hundreds or thousands of employees.
Sometimes, these large enterprises may even customize the LMS so as to keep the
sales channels and franchisees in the loop.
2. Small and Medium Businesses
LMS helps the small and medium businesses to effectively
utilize their human resources. The LMS scale along with the company/ business
so as to adapt the ever changing training needs of the organization.
3. Freelancers
LMS platforms are perfect for freelancers who work for
multiple clients. As the freelancers need to deliver a diverse range of
deliverables, the built-in features help them to work more efficiently. These LMS
support asynchronous self-paced, asynchronous instructor-led, blended as well
as mobile learning.
4. Teachers
An LMS helps the teachers to create engaging sessions and
lessons by combining videos, texts, practice questions, visuals and other real
tests. An LMS boosts the learning experience of students as it offers
distraction-free and focused learning. The teachers can gain an insight into
the effectiveness of the learning material as well as track and monitor the
progress of the learners.
Benefits for Businesses
Let’s have a look at the advantages which an LMS offers to an organization
- It reduces learning and developmental costs.
- LMS drastically cuts down the training and on-boarding time for customers, employees and partners.
- LMSs help in accommodating multiple learning audiences simultaneously by centralizing all the e-learning recourses.
- LMS maintains total compliance and tracks the learner’s progress.
- LMS organizes and stores the data safely.
- Improves resource allocation.
- Improves e-learning accessibility.
Benefits for Learners
LMS helps the learners in various ways:
- LMS increase the knowledge retention power of learners.
- It helps them to stay engaged with formal as well as informal learning practices.
- LMS helps the learners to opt for better career choices and gain the desired skills and knowledge for their career advancement.
- The learner can monitor his/her progress and track performance.
Winding Up
An LMS is must-have for any organization irrespective of its
business size. Learning Management Systems allow the organizations to deploy
the online courses and track the learner’s performance without any geographical
limitations. This gives the corporate learners an opportunity to hone their
skills by expanding their knowledge.
Comments
Post a Comment