In today’s world, learning management systems are an integral part of every person’s life. You may not know what it is, not know how it works, but be an active user of such a system. If you understand this topic, then change your view of learning and you can benefit from it. This article was written to address learning management systems needs.
Contents
What is a Learning Management System?
LMS is an abbreviation of the English phrase learning management systems, which translates as Learning Management System.
On the territory of the CIS, there is still an abbreviation LMS – Distance Learning System.
For its users, this is a convenient and fast way to gain new skills and knowledge. For its owner, it is a great way to reduce the cost of employee compliance training, increase their professionalism, monitor and control their results, or make money on online training software on the Internet.
An LMS platform can be compared to a school that fits in the pocket of both the student and the teacher. At school, as we all remember, education is based on the transfer of theory, its consolidation, and then – verification of assimilation through tests and tests. eLeaP learning management systems allow you to do the same but in a modern, easy, and convenient way.
A good LMS platform makes learning goals easier for both the student and the course owner.
The student can access educational materials wherever it is convenient for him. Students can learn while driving to work while resting, eating, or just finding a free moment.
After mastering the material, he passes the control – writes a test, answers questions in an expanded form, or otherwise shows his level of knowledge. Upon successful completion of this work, the training is considered completed.
The course administrator gets the opportunity to automate training and keep abreast of student success. Instead of constantly reading the same material, he simply downloads the desired content and forms a lesson. Students pass tests and tests with minimal involvement from the course administrator. He can monitor the statistics of students, receive feedback and change his teaching system.
To better understand learning management systems, you need to immerse yourself in history
The idea of distance learning was first embodied in the 18th century when an American scholar organized a correspondence course in shorthand by publishing material in a newspaper. Another hundred years later, this system improved when feedback became possible. Then the teacher sent the theory and tasks by mail to the student, and the student, having studied it, sent the completed task back.
The next step in the development of learning management systems was the possibility of audio and video recording. But the most powerful and decisive breakthrough made it possible to make progress in the field of information technology.
After the invention of the computer, local networks began to appear – the forefather of the Internet – networks of several connected machines. Initially, they were used in universities, where they helped teachers automate learning. The global web has made it easier for people to access information. In response to this, learning management systems were invented, which made it possible to train many people remotely and independently from each other at the same time.
Types of learning management systems
There are two main types of such systems:
- Server LMS
Such a system is installed on the owner’s server, and he can give access to training to those who are associated with this server. This is the very first type of LMS feature that arose in universities and is still used by them.
- Cloud LMS
The content is uploaded to the server of the LMS platform, and the owner and users get access to it via the Internet. This is the most common type of platform for distance learning and LMS. Because of its simplicity and ease of use, it is the choice of both private online courses for school owners and business executives to enhance corporate learning.
5 steps to work with the LMS platform
Learning management systems are designed to make it easier for the person who teaches others. That is why their leading advantage is simplicity. There are five steps you need to take to get started teaching with the LMS platform.
Step #1. Create course
This step is easy if you already have the curriculum and materials ready. If not, then you need to consistently create a course yourself or hire a specialist for this.
Step #2. Upload materials and set up the platform
To do this, you just need to upload training materials to the platform, create test papers, and form lessons. Optionally arrange a student’s account in the style of your company.
Step #3. Give users access to lessons
If you are engaged in corporate training, then simply open access for employee training or appoint an administrator who will deal with this. If you teach via the Internet for money, then before that you set up a payment system.
Step number 4. Track the learning process
For the quality of education not to fall, it must be controlled. Typically, learning management systems provide tools for tracking student statistics both in general and individually. You can observe the results and user aspirations in a separate tab.
Step number 5. Improve course
If you are not satisfied with the performance of students, you can always tweak the course content to make it better. For example, introduce an element of the game into training, conduct live webinars, and encourage good results. In addition, you can work on the material, finalizing it, simplifying difficult points, and making relevant edits.
Feedback from students is also rich ground for improving the online school on the LMS vendors platform.
How do learning management systems compare favorably with other types of distance learning?
When working with learning management systems, the owner and user receive several advantages that are not available when blended learning via the Internet without it.
Ease of Access to Courses
Learning management systems work around the clock, so users can choose when it is convenient for them to study. There is no binding to the teacher’s schedule, there is no rigid class schedule that you need to fit into. Only the Internet is needed to access the course, so the student can study anywhere in the world.
Unlimited space for learning materials
Learning content platforms own their servers that store your content. They don’t need to look for third-party services to publish your lessons.
Knowledge control
It takes a lot of time to assess a student without a distance learning system. Either conduct tests that you need to create before that, or take exams personally. Learning management systems LMS have built-in tools to monitor student learning.
Calculation and analysis of statistics
Without a distance learning system, it is almost impossible to keep statistics on the progress of students. But eLeaP learning management systems provide the course leader with detailed statistics and analysis, based on which he can track the progress of students and adjust the training program.
Possibility of quick feedback Modern LMS platforms allow users not only to ask an expert a question but also to communicate with other students. It does not require switching to another application to participate in group chats and to consult with individuals individually.
Reduced training costs
For users of courses hosted on the LMS platform, such training content is cheaper than face-to-face training: the time and money spent on the road disappear. For the owner of an online school, learning management systems also bring benefits, because the salaries of teachers and other specialists are more expensive than the salaries of even a very good training manager. On average, the transfer of corporate training to the LMS platform reduces its cost by 5 times.
Ease of maintenance
Good learning management systems are intuitive, so anyone can figure out how to use them and launch their first course. Course creation, management, statistics, and other tools are in one window. You can do it yourself, train your employee to use the platform, or hire a professional.
As a conclusion
Learning management systems simply tie conventional online learning methods into a system that an administrator can easily manage. With their application, training requires fewer resources, reaches a new level of quality, and gets the opportunity to improve.
In addition to offering services to a special circle of specialists, learning management systems streamline the process of transferring information. It fits wherever you need to train someone and opens up new perspectives for its users.
Now that you know this, you can choose the best learning management system for your eLeaP LMS, using, for example, the rating of learning management systems and taking training in your company to a new level.