LMS Companies
The eLearning industry hasn’t changed much since the turn of the Millennium when SCORM was invented. At this point it generally separated into course creators (using authoring tool software) and Learning Management System (LMS meaning) companies which distributed courseware and measured its performance. Globally, this represents the bulk of the 00bn spent on company training every year. Not surprisingly, the large companies who grab the largest share of that sum are not in a hurry to overhaul their business models and innovate… even though typical course completion rates lie under 20% and learning is not something that learners look forward to. So how do you install a love of learning with your company training? Here’s what to look for in an LMS company.
4 things an LMS company needs to offer
• Agile Authoring: Once a large organisation has invested heavily in training material, it’s loathed to do so again. Of course, training needs to constantly be updated and this is tricky if a third-party authoring company needs to be contacted, commissioned and paid to perform updates and this takes time and costs even more money.
However, an agile LMS will have an integrated authoring tool that allows anyone to update courseware. That means, instead of learners suffering with years-old case studies, it’s possible to quickly add in references to what appeared in the News. Thus, learning material is much more up-to-date, relevant and effective.
• Microlearning: With so few people engaging with and completing eLearning courses, it’s worth looking at the company training method that’s booming in popularity. Microlearning distils the core information of a topic into a short, easy-to-absorb microlesson that only teaches a learner a few, memorable things. It’s far more effective at embedding knowledge than a long, 40-minute course. It should be part of the any, decent LMS.
• Mobile learning: Workers view internal training and work computers with a view that is not conducive to learning new things. However, if your LMS company partner can send microlessons direct to learners’ own smartphones, they can perform training on a device they don’t resent, anywhere, anytime and at a pace that suits their natural learning.
• Gamification: When learning feels like a game it is far more effective. When an LMS enables the addition of prizes and leaderboards (for competition) it only improves engagement further.
• Spaced Repetition: This method of learning (also known as distributed practice) is highly effective. It involves revising content at increasing time intervals until it is embedded. Naturally, microlearning’s small course sizes makes this easier. A dedicated feature which remembers which questions a learner got right also boosts its effectiveness.
Free Learning Management System For Business – EdApp
If you want to work with an LMS company which can offer all of the above as a standalone training product or as a something to augment your existing system, get in touch at enquiries@edapp.com. You can use EdApp’s free learning management system for business by signing up here or read about free lms.
If you’re interested in free learning management systems, learn more here.