LMS (Learning Management System) or LMS software is an online teaching management system via the Internet that provides important tools for teachers, learners and administrators such as course management system, lesson information management system, Course content creation management system Learning Measurement Tool Management System Learner Information Management System System tools to help manage communication and interaction and organize the learning process, including communication, Chat, E-mail, Web board, as well as backup. and reporting results, etc.
How can LMS Software be used?
- Create your own training course. It can be shot professionally in a studio, or recorded on a front camera in a laptop.
- Organize periodic training on selected materials.
- Check knowledge through a testing system;
- Store regulations, instructions and other materials in a single space;
- Analyze results.
What are the types of LMS
Today you can find completely ready-made programs, as well as systems with the ability to add functions, taking into account the tasks and features of the educational process. For example, eLeaP LMS is an lms software, where in a convenient constructor you can create courses according to regulations and set up regular automatic testing of staff knowledge.
Ready-made services
There are solutions for small and medium businesses, as well as for large educational projects. There are:
Boxed – the customer buys a ready-made solution and uses it in his work
Cloud – Common LMS software that provides only access to the system. It is provided as a service where there is a payment for a subscription. All content is stored in the cloud. They are easy to use and can be used by online schools and corporate training.
Server – installed separately on the customer’s servers and works through a browser. They are used by universities, training centers, and large companies, as they provide maximum data storage security. But there are costs for the purchase of a server, software and administration.
Advantages of LMS software:
- everything is developed, it remains to think about the content;
- there is technical support
- the interface is translated into Russian;
- there are instructions (how to work, how to upload content, how to view statistics);
- no need for a development team, just figure it out yourself.
Minuses:
- averaged universal functionality, which may not be suitable for universal tasks;
- it is impossible or difficult to customize for the specifics of training;
- the need to adapt to existing opportunities and follow standards;
- regular subscription.
Building your own LMS software
Develop terms of reference, understand what interface is needed, register as a personal data operator. This is a rather long and expensive process. The system will need to be constantly maintained and developed.
But it can be perfect. If it is built incorrectly, then the customer cannot update the version of the system, get technical support for the customized system, since it is unique. Customization should not require the involvement of expensive developers. Therefore, the right software product should allow the customer to update even with customization and solve their own problems.
Open Source solution
This is open source software that can be customized, add an add-on, translate into another language, and build in additional functionality. These flexible systems can be customized and are easier to deal with than building an LMS from scratch. But developers are still needed.
How to choose an LMS software and what to look for
If you decide to use a ready-made platform, pay attention to the following points:
1. Goals and objectives of training. Paid or free, corporate or client, mass, group or individual.
3. Administrator functionality.
2. Types of tasks and type of content.
4. Functionality of the student.
5. Functionality of the teacher – whether it is necessary to train teachers how to use the LMS system.
6. Localization:
- Interface language;
- multilingualism;
- availability of fonts;
- regional subtleties;
- the ability to translate programs into different languages.
7. Analytics to analyze student performance and performance and draw conclusions about course improvement.
8. E-commerce – is there a built-in payment option.
9. Possibility of archiving. This will be hosted by an LMS or your own content storage service. Video hosting is important.
10. User experience:
- – simplicity and ease of use, primarily for customers;
- – intuitive interface;
- – adaptation under design;
- – creation of internal pages of the course;
11. Availability of a mobile version or mobile application.
12. Possibility of integration with CRM/ERP, website.
13. Ability to login online 24/7 or only use within the corporate network.
Pay attention not only to functions, but also the use case of the system is a combination of functions in a business process. For example, a program may have 10 functions, but if the system cannot put these functions in the order you need, which form a single process, then the platform is useless.
There should be customization – setting up the system for the customer’s requests. For example, logo, interface, various reports, design. Good customization implies convenient use of the system by the customer.
Use LMS systems to organize staff training. They are easy to use, save valuable management time, and automate the learning process.
Opportunities.
Like any other software, LMS have differences in functionality. Some systems are simpler, some are more complex. The complexity of the platform implies the presence of additional functionality. Any LMS as a basic functionality should be able to work with users, provide educational content and have reports on course completion. The rest of the features are optional. These include an automated system for the selection and evaluation of personnel, a built-in system for conducting webinars, the ability to automate other HR processes, the ability to provide paid access to content, etc.
The advantages of complex systems are obvious: you get a whole range of tools for working with personnel; there is no need to think about integrating different systems.
At the same time, multifunctional platforms have a number of limitations.
It should be understood that the more complex the system, the more expensive it is, the more difficult it is to administer. In addition, complex systems are often complex not only for administrators and developers, but also for the end user. In this regard, there are problems with the convenience of students, which negatively affects the desire to learn.