February 25th, 2010 by Learning Systems

When shopping around for a learning management system that perfectly fits the needs of your organization, you might consider seeking the help of an LMS consultant. Consultants can help you sort out all the nitty gritty in your decision-making process, bringing years of experience in the LMS industry to your aid.

They are able to determine your company’s requirements for the system and review proposals and demonstrations of each vendor. Consultants can cut down on the amount of effort you’ll need to spend and can show you how each vendor meets or doesn’t meet your LMS requirements. They are able to highlight concerns and issues that might otherwise go unidentified.

Of course, whether or not you choose to hire a learning management system consultant, your first step to securing the perfect LMS is to decide on your organization’s needs. Consider a few different issues. First, determine the scale. How many students and other users will you be catering to? Consider the number of learners, courses, trainers, sessions, and administrators involved.

Second, what do you need your LMS to do? What do you need to track? These might be courses, grades, attendance and so on. Find out whether or not you need your LMS to be standards compliant (SCORM, IMS, etc.).

Third, consider your distribution plan. Will you be using your LMS only internally, or will you want it to have e-commerve capabilities? Will you need automatic billing?

Get straight on all the details before choosing an LMS. Learning management systems come in all sizes and meet a variety of requirements, so ensure that you have one in mind that covers all the bases you see fit.

A fourth consideration: should your LMS be connected to other systems within your company? Should it be able to export data to other systems?

The fifth issue is a critical one. What kind of support will you need? Does your organization have a strong IT department which will be able to meet any tech-related issues that may arise while using the LMS? And finally, does LMS you are considering provide reliable and 24-hour support to users?

Sixth, take into account your organizational needs in respect to organizing the training. LMSs have evolved to provide not only online education and training, but also to meet organizations’ planning and procedural needs. Ensure that these functions will be sustainable throughout the development of your organization.

Oftentimes, choosing an LMS forces companies to take a hard look at their approach to corporate training. For example, you may discover that you need to redefine some of your business processes, or even redesign your course delivery methods.

A learning management system should be both flexible and scalable. Too often organizations implement a LMS that works for a while, but as the organization grows, the LMS no longer meets its needs. LMSs should help you grow, so be sure to select an LMS that will grow with you.

Having a handle on what each LMS offers is a clear first step in deciding on which one you would like to employ. A consultant can help you answer the questions, “Does this LMS provide all the features we need?” Different LMSs offer a wide variety of functions including video, text, audio, assessment and quiz, gaming, podcast, and other tools to make your online training effective and interactive.

However, beyond making sure that your chosen LMS has everything you need, you should also consider any function the system provides that you actually won’t need. In many cases, you’re paying for all those extra features in addition to the actually useful ones. Of course, neat extra features might seem cool to have, but do you really need them? In order to prevent paying more for your LMS than you need to, it’s wise not to choose on an LMS with lots of bells and whistles that you will never actually employ.

But do check out the unique tools and functionalities offered by each LMS, and contact a few vendors to ask them to demo their LMS. Be sure that the learning management system has everything you need, and that the demo is able to illustrate your company’s requirements.

February 4th, 2010 by Learning Systems

It may be an understatement to say that for distance learning and online training, a big hefty tool like a learning management system (LMS) is the most efficient and cost-effective means of delivery. In fact, online tools may be the only method to deliver training for companies with distance learning requirements. As extended networks of employees become the norm, with employees working in Singapore, London or New York, an LMS becomes vital to manage online training.  It not only delivers learning content, but companies can use an LMS to keep track of employee achievements and ensure that the training delivered is really effective.

Of course, managing a distance learning classroom or training program is simply too much for one person or even a group of people to handle.  An LMS takes care of content management, collaboration techniques, agendas and announcements, assignment and coursework management, and learning path development, among other things. It allows for online classrooms to be organized internationally, linking a company LMS to its various human resources departments and ERP systems, to perform long distance, cost-effective, and efficient training.

Collaboration is the newest wave of our increasingly service-oriented business world, and therefore a must in training. Oftentimes, both in training and product development, collaborative groups are composed of a loose group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal. These may be a group of individuals with different backgrounds, cultures, education and languages. For collaborative learning, an LMS serves a crucial role in its ability to track members’ individual and collective progress in an online course.

One way that collaboration may be utilized to benefit a company is in introducing a new product or service. For example, if the employees in training are in customer service or sales, a company could introduce the new product, delivering training on the product through the LMS, and prompt trainees to work together to develop strategies and solutions to given situations when dealing with customers, etc.

For this, companies that have been experimenting with virtual worlds like Second Life to provide trainees with a 3D meeting space and collaborative educational space have experienced mixed results. Educational software like Second Life still has many challenges to face in offering an efficient and robust learning experience.

Training for a role in a service team is something easily charged to an LMS, with video tools, simulations, and audio tools like those used by Coggno, to create situations where an employee must deal with a customer. Some systems are even multi-lingual, providing a number of built-in languages to personalize each employee’s training.

Distance learning collaboration isn’t always easy, of course. We’ve all experienced the frustration of technical problems with the very same tools intended to facilitate group collaboration. Inevitably, a conference call is interrupted by technical problems, or one or two team members aren’t familiar with how to use a new technology. Web 2.0 tools like conferencing may sidetrack members and draw them into a distracting cycle of tool experimentation. Some tools may take hours for users to get the hang of, and ultimately may not even function efficiently.

Although some tools like virtual worlds can help virtual teams achieve goals, introducing these technologies can also impose distractions which waste valuable time. A slick new piece of technology is only as effective as the effects it produces.

An LMS is able to automate many training processes that would otherwise cost organizations a great deal of time and money. Learners all over the world are able to access online training via an LMS any time, without complicated plug-in software. Learning management systems take care of staff orientation and induction programs, reaching out to employees from all around the world.

January 29th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Using a learning management system provides organizations with an end-to-end approach to develop talent and guarantees visible priorities of individuals, activities and events. We are aware that a LMS can perform a number of functions, administrative requests from scheduling trainings, to strategic requests like training gap analysis, aligning training modules with business goals etc.

In a classroom environment, we lose out on a number of features that can provide a lot of flexibility to the learner and trainer. Organizations are aware that they can leverage the use of a learning management system to improve productivity, reduce costs and achieve business goals efficiently. Once training modules are deployed on a LMS, trainers and learners can benefit by getting access to a variety of e-learning modules.

Activities are much easier to update and these can include tasks like assigning budgets, enrollments, managing assessments, generating report, classroom logistics etc. It is easier to measure the ROI on training. An LMS allows you employees to develop career paths, and managers to identify the development paths based on employee goals. In fact, assessments to measure competency that can be linked with performance appraisals can be managed via a learning management system for employees and managers

A learning management system allows clients to examine the workforce and provide skill management and analysis. It also provides automated certification for safety programs and supervisory roles. For employees that need to take mandatory training - training requests and progress tracking to achieve competencies for a particular position is available.

After completing a module, employees are requested to provide feedback about the effectiveness of the training module. This enables management to review the training results and measure improvements in employee performance.

For organizations that have a workforce which is spread over a number of regions, a learning management system allows overall tracking of skills sets and identifying development needs. It empowers managers to approve training requests, monitor employee progress, generate reports to understand employee readiness and relate job performance to identify employee development needs.

In a classroom environment or without a learning management system, organizations incur additional costs to manage training requirements. They do not have the flexibility of generating detailed reports and the data accumulated can be inaccurate. As employees undertake training courses that are available on a LMS, managers can assess employee strengths; compare skills of an employee with their performance objectives.

In summary, a learning management system implements state of the art training modules that allow self service requests for employee training, managing content, support for learning, updating courses to sync with positions or employee competencies. Instructor availability, training effectiveness, scheduling classes, hours spent training etc can be managed with ease with the help of LMS. For management, tracking employees and maintaining a history of their training, identifying the budget for training and other bottom line figures necessary to business can be easily acquired with a LMS.

With these advantages, using a learning management system can ensure compliance with business goals and quality training to improve employee performance.

January 25th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Many people are upgrading their skills these days by using a learning management system (LMS). With a fast paced work environment, most organizations are implementing blended learning solutions that enable learners to experience the benefits of a classroom in a virtual environment. These learning systems can be invaluable and keep you updated about the various training courses. Using a LMS for a blended learning solution involves using different training mediums, events and activities to create a robust course for different audiences.

If you’re not really sure what a learning management system is, it’s basically a type of software application that uses various types of e-programs and other training content programs and methods to educate people. The systems usually look after all aspects of learning, including administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting. There are various types available which range in their capabilities.

While many employees are initiating their own involvement in a learning management system you will find there are just as many companies that are asking employees to utilize them. The employers see these systems as excellent ways to teach numerous people the same job skills simultaneously.

While some companies prefer to have their trainees learn at their own pace in an individual setting, many firms still believe there are advantages to training people in a virtual classroom environment.

Some of the benefits of a virtual classroom using a learning management system include:

• If training takes place in a virtual class the employees will begin to feel and act like a team instead of individuals and it’s usually teamwork that leads to success these days. The class will realize everybody is on the same page when it comes to achieving business goals.

• It also allows the employees to take courses according to their schedules and also experience the benefits of a classroom. This guarantees that students interact and network with each other while learning at the own pace. It does not need them to worry that somebody is too far ahead or behind the rest of the group.

• For trainers, a learning management system provides a forum for students to exchange ideas, queries and promotes a healthy discussion which supports knowledge retention. If there are any important messages or changes in the course outline, everybody will hear about it instantly.

• A virtual classroom learning management system will also allow students to help each other out when needed and can help them bond.

• Everything that is learned in the classroom will eventually create a common experience for all students to share and discuss.

• The costs for running a virtual classroom using a learning management system is less than having all the learners in a classroom.

• Students can work in team, but the employer still has the option of having them work individually when necessary.

Because each learning management system may vary greatly from the next, some of them will be more suited to classroom settings while others may be more appropriate for people to learn on their own.

January 15th, 2010 by Learning Systems

A learning management system or LMS is a database system that allows you to customize and track a training program or training system.  For an organization this can be extremely convenient.  You can create your course work for employees or students and track all aspects of the curriculum.  This is especially useful when it comes to updating the course work.  Instead of needing to republish printed materials continually which may delay important changes, they can be accomplished immediately and as needed in a learning management system.

The Need to Update Training Materials
Fluidity is essential when it comes to all aspects of business.  In order to be successful a company needs to be able to recognize when there are issues that need to be addressed and how to address them when it occurs.  This sometimes means changing processes in order to address potential customer service issues or to adopt emerging technology for e.g., implementing a learning management system to facilitate better efficiency.  If training materials address the outdated processes it defeats the purpose of training in the first place.

Therefore, it is imperative that training materials be updated regularly and as needed to address any changes in processes.  This way anyone taking the course will get the most up to date information and it will avoid having to retrain in person or possible errors that may happen with an employee.  Training employees by leveraging a learning management system begin with is more efficient, will save time and is less confusing.

Uses for an LMS
An LMS is useful for two basic purposes:  internal training courses within a corporation and learning institutions that specialize in training materials for outside training.  A learning management system is most useful in a corporation that has multiple departments with specific training needs for each position.  This is an ideal vehicle for housing all the training needs for each position.  It can accomplish the tasks of:

• Training new hires in the policies and procedures of the position for which they were hired;

• Being available as reference materials for those who are currently in a position and need to know the way to accomplish a particular job; and

• Allowing others outside the department to learn about the position in order to be proactive and prepared for possible advancement opportunities internally.

For learning institutions that provide continuing education, the learning management system can provide many functions that will help administer all aspects of the training courses.  An LMS can:

• Administer the course calendar;

• Track registrations, changes and drops;

• Conduct the online training work;

• Gather assignments, administer tests or homework; and

• Report grades

A learning management system is a highly valuable system that will help administer all aspects of coursework for organizational training.  It can be used within a company for internal training as well as in learning institutions specializing in outside training courses.  It is especially useful as an easy way to facilitate necessary changes within the training materials.  Training processes will change occasionally due to advancements in technology or because of altered policies.  It is important that training coursework also be updated as needed in order to remain current.  A learning management system can administer such changes quickly and easily for maximum efficiency.

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January 6th, 2010 by Learning Systems

Using a Learning Management System has many advantages when you have a global audience. It provides trainers, learners and moderators with a variety of features from administration of courses, documentation, tracking, scheduling courses, reporting, etc. Your LMS can provide your organization with a gamut of customized services that can increase efficiency and reduce training costs.

If you are considering implementation of a Learning Management System in your organization, you will have a scalable learning solution, with the capability of supporting multiple languages. A LMS will provide you with Competency Management, the ability to track and manage workforce competencies to ensure alignment with business goals. Identifying skill gaps, learning paths to fix skill gaps are some of the features of competency management in a learning management system.

Not all organizations have converted their classroom training to e-learning, most of them use a blend of e-learning and instructor led training. When you have a global workforce, a learning management solution can be a valuable solution to manage ILT and e-learning. It is a centralized tracking system that saves time and improves training efficiency.

When you need to manage student reports, or require customized reports, using a LMS can offer you such flexibility. A learning management system is capable of providing you with user history, test scores, summary of test by user groups, pass and fail statistics. Each of these reports are provided with ease and can be accessed with the click of a button.

Learning management systems are known to be successful for the administration of training within an organization. It facilitates completion of enrollments, both for individual users and batch registrations, ensuring users meet course pre-requisites, auto sending event notifications etc.

When you have a shortage of skilled workforce, using a learning management system can ensure that your employees have consistent training. Even if they are geographically spread, you will be capable of delivering the training across all operations, 24×7 and in multiple languages. Most organizations that have implemented a LMS have a collaborative learning community, with a variety of learning solutions that depend on the organizations training needs.

With a fast paced business environment, to have stand-alone training for each function and then deploying the training at intervals is not a feasible option. With corporate accountability, using a learning management system can help achieve an all inclusive approach for education. With each region or country, the training needs to align with local regulations. A LMS can give you the flexibility of managing content and updating this to meet each user groups training needs.

As you can see, a learning management system is an effective solution for global education. In addition to this, there are other features that a LMS supports that as a result add to the user-friendliness of the solutions such as;  advanced search functionality, easy integration with existing CRM, ERP and HR systems, etc.

The learning management system also has security features to protect user data, privacy, and prevent unauthorized access. This ensures that your organizations e-learning experience is not only effective and scalable but safe as well.

December 24th, 2009 by Learning Systems

As you look back throughout the years of education history it is amazing to see where we started, who would have ever thought learning would be conducted online, or that someone would think up of a learning management system where online courses could be hosted and delivered? However, this is not the end of progression. Technology seems to always be ever changing as they strive to break through new realms. We even see signs of new advances as the learning management systems and online learning modules are becoming more and more advanced. They are bringing new features to the system that will facilitate easier use.

I am sure everyone has seen movies that date back to the 1700’s where the classroom consisted of 4 or 5 grade levels, students used abacuses for calculators, and classes were conducted in an overcrowded one room school house. Education quickly progressed, as schools developed, education was opened up to all children of every gender, age, ethnicity, and social class. For the first time age groups were segmented to create a more age appropriate and focused subject matter for the classroom.  Specific lesson plans were created based on the grade level that the student was in and determined what the students would be learning during that time. Now skip ahead a few Centuries to when computers were first introduced into the classroom. Sure the first computers were the size of an entire room, however, they became “streamlined” for the classroom and students were able to learn how to used the DOS system and even participate in typing classes.

From the time computers were integrated into the schools and computer classes became a mandatory subject matter in the curriculum, it was taken another step further. Now wireless internet is offered on nearly every school campus and is widely available in cafes, apartment complexes, and in the workplaces. Even in the High Schools, students no longer hand in paper assignments as all of their work is done and submitted online, the lesson plans are posted on line for each student’s course schedule along with their electronic report card that enable parents to keep tabs on their children’s progress in school . College Students are participating in higher education online with the help of the Learning Management System platform that facilitates course distribution allowing them to receive their education via distant learning programs.

It does not stop there. As education is progressively evolving and moving to the web, technology continues to advance by creating a more effective and efficient learning management system with interactive courses, virtual webinars and live instructors, as well as advanced assessment tools that are used to measure how successful the online training or online courses are. Various learning methodologies that appeal to the visual, auditory, and kinetic learners are implemented into the courses or modules to provide the students with the option to pick which method that best enables them to fully comprehend the material.  The world of technology has opened up so many opportunities that enable to further education with the state of the art learning management systems and resources. It is truly a feat to look back and see where we have started to where we are now and even looking to the future as we as see signs of the next stage where technology is taking us.

December 23rd, 2009 by Learning Systems

While living and working in the industrial world has its benefits, there are also some environmental downfall, but can a Learning Management System allow you to train your workforce and increase awareness of these problems? The main problem these days is the pollution, specifically carbon and other gas emissions.  We’ve all heard of the problems being created around the world when it comes to climate change and global warming. Because of the drastic affect it is having on the environment, many corporations are now deciding to do something about it. They are implementing measures such as recycling and sustainability plans to combat carbon emissions.

However, many companies can’t afford to hire fulltime sustainability experts and are turning to online training programs and Learning Management Systems instead.  These systems will assess each company individually and calculate how much carbon emissions it’s generating. A reduction strategy will then be planned out and implemented to help reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

These assessments will conduct a full energy audit and investigate many aspects of the business including water, waste, electricity, travel, paper, and fuels and paper. These elements are then converted into the tons of carbon emissions created and the best way to cut them down. The plan is presented to the business and the carbon management company will work hand in hand with them to help achieve their goals, monitoring their progress all the way.

While implementing a Learning Management System may sound like a pretty complicated process. With
the help of the right training, it’s usually surprising to every company how easily their carbon emissions can be reduced. Studies have shown that up to 15 per cent of total gas emissions are produced by improperly trained staff.  So the first thing on the agenda is to make sure all employees are educated properly. This is usually done by holding workshops with interactive audio and video presentations, handing out educational reading material, posting signs, and engaging in various competitions, etc.

A good learning management system will allow you to train a large number of people at the same time. This can be accomplished at a relatively low cost per person as most systems charge a flat fee instead of a per-user rate.  The company’s administrators are able to create content, upload it, and assign it to employees in training at whatever pace they choose. If each employee is aware how their actions can reduce the company’s overall carbon emissions, you should see a reduction pretty quickly.

There are some very simple solutions to cutting down on emissions and reducing your carbon footprint. It can be done as easily as recycling various day- to-day items such as newspapers, cans, bottles, aluminum foil, plastics, used equipment, furniture and other materials. However, people need to be properly educated when it comes to all aspects of emissions reduction as there are many other ways to help accomplish it.

It’s not too hard to reuse and recycle things when trying to lower your company’s carbon footprint. But to be successful, it’s essential that everybody is well trained by a learning management system and does their part to chip in.