Find the perfect LMS
Learning Management Systems (LMS) are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every organization has a variety of needs, goals and priorities, and leaders should keep these considerations in mind when searching for LMS vendors. That being said, certain LMS functional organizations need to prioritize. These key features of LMS allow managers and employees to easily navigate the platform, do their jobs better, and access the information they need to make data-driven decisions. We will explain in detail the importance of each feature. But first, let’s explore how learning management systems can help your organization.
How does a learning management system benefit your organization?
Learning management systems go beyond enabling organizations to create and manage education and training programs. LMS also benefits businesses in four specific ways:
Promote employee development and growth
A learning management system provides a personalized learning experience, tracking and rewarding employee performance. This reduces the skill gap and accelerates skill acquisition. Improve employee satisfaction and retention
According to Bridge’s Future of Learning Technologies report, 29% of L&D experts cite increased employee engagement and satisfaction as the biggest advantage of using learning techniques. And if the employees are satisfied, they are more likely to stay in the organization. Streamline training and onboarding
LMS integrates training materials and automatically provides employees with the information they need for their roles. This standardization and automation saves businesses both time and money. Preservation of important institutional knowledge
In a Deloitte study, 75% of the organizations surveyed state that creating and preserving knowledge across the evolving workforce is central to success. Because LMS can document this knowledge, employees can apply it to improve performance and business outcomes.
Eight important features of LMS that your organization should look for
Leaders should keep these important features in mind when selecting an LMS vendor.
1) User-Friendly
A 2018 Axonify survey found that 93% of employees wanted training. This emphasizes the importance of LMS user-friendly and is easy to understand. An easy-to-use LMS allows employees to intuitively navigate the platform, preventing frustration and confusion, which improves employee use and engagement. Some additional characteristics of a user-friendly LMS include:
Simple startup
The LMS should be easy to download, set up and customize. Managers and employees should be able to use the platform right away without a robust understanding of advanced features. Intuitive User Interface (UI) Design
A simple navigation interface with minimalist layout and straightforward features ensures a seamless online learning experience. Accessibility
Accessibility includes responsive design, compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers and voice recognition software. Consistency
Employees and managers must obtain the same user experience (UX) regardless of when and how they log on to the platform or which devices they use. For example, an LMS should be compatible with both mobile and desktop users. 2) Integration
The integration allows organizations’ LMSs to share data with other software on their technology stack. This allows you to automate repetitive tasks and eliminate inefficiencies. For example, the insurance business could integrate LMS with human capital management software. In this way, when new employees are onboarded, the HR system automatically registers for the required training within the LMS. This streamlines the onboarding process and eliminates manual input. Below are four consolidations that organizations should consider:
Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration
These improve security and allow users to easily log in without having to remember multiple credentials. Content and content authoring integration
These help users create and manage training materials. CRM Integration
These integrations allow organizations to further personalize their learning based on CRM information. It also reduces manual data processing for better data security. Video conferencing integration
These promote one-to-one or group learning as well as tracking attendance and performance in the LMS. 3) Customization
Customizable LMS helps organizations provide customized training to their employees. Also, according to the aforementioned Axonify survey, 91% of employees want personalized training that is also relevant to their position. Personalized training helps create more enthusiastic learners and retain knowledge. Customizable LMS also means that organizations can align their platform’s UI design, learning paths and content delivery methods to match their company’s culture and business goals. Business leaders need to focus on these key elements for customization.
User Interface Design User Management and Access Themes and Branding Content Creation and Management Analysis and Reports 4) Mobile Compatibility
64% of learners believe that accessing training content from their mobile devices is essential. Therefore, organizations need to accommodate these learners by choosing mobile compatible LMSs. Mobile Friendly offers many benefits, including increased accessibility, increased flexibility, and improved learner engagement.
Key features of the mobile-friendly LMS include responsive design (learning content is automatically adjusted to fit various screen sizes), offline access (learning users can continue to connect course materials without internet access), and mobile integration (learning users can receive reminders and notifications about courses over the phone).
5) On-demand learning
For each axon, 89% of workers want training to be available anytime, anywhere. This is especially true for millennials and Gen Z workers who are pulled away by technology. The desire for on-demand learning also reflects the rise of remote work that was required by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Company leaders can promote on-demand learning through microlearning. Microlearning introduces information in bite-sized units. This means employees can learn at faster doses as they spend the day. Make sure the information is delivered in a variety of formats to maintain employee engagement. For example, traditional texts, instructional videos, quizzes, infographics.
Another option is blended learning, combining online and in-person instruction. For example, employees can work on lessons online before participating in face-to-face activities, simulations, and discussions. Those who are unable to participate in these sessions can simply watch the recorded video.
6) Reports and analysis
At the most basic level, learning analytics provides the information companies need to make better decisions. For example, whether to invest in better learning resources or to consider candidates for positions based on performance during training. However, this is only possible if your LMS contains four important reports. they are:
Learner progress report
A progress report lets managers know how employees carry on their learning journey. Managers can determine whether the learners are progressing well or if additional resources are needed to complete the training. Learner engagement reports
Data from these reports will help managers to notify users’ sign-on rates and whether learners are active or inactive, and to inform decisions regarding L&D activities’ structure and design. Course Analysis Report
Course completion rates, time spent on lessons and modules, course popularity, and other data show how employees are involved in e-learning content. Managers can use this information to improve the quality of their courses. Evaluation results
Many learning management systems provide reports on employees who have completed their assessments, including scores and grades. This will result in the manager with actual data on whether the learner is improving. 7) Security
LMS security is essential for several reasons. It protects sensitive data about employees, ensures compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and maintains trust between businesses and workers. With this in mind, company leaders must first and foremost choose an LMS to secure. Fortunately, there are certain features that managers can consider to assess whether LMS prioritizes security.
One feature is data encryption. Data encryption converts data into code that doesn’t understand, allowing only users with passwords to see it. This will make your information secure. Another important feature is user authentication. This validates the user’s identity before granting access to the system. Another is a user role that assigns or restricts access to a user’s specific LMS feature based on the user’s responsibility. Features like SSL certificates and regular security updates can help protect the privacy of employees and organizations.
8) Support Services
Even if a company has a world-class learning management system, problems will inevitably arise throughout the five or more years when an organization uses LMS. So it would be wise for businesses to invest in platforms that provide robust customer support. This includes 24/7 phone and chatbot support to help users quickly.
The LMS should also provide online FAQs to answer basic questions such as whether users can change their passwords or customize the LMS interface. Ideally, this section will direct users to more detailed resources if additional information is needed. For example, an interface question might link to a video showing users how to upload their logo.
A comprehensive knowledge base is another important customer support feature. This online library provides tutorials, video demos, and guides to help users improve tool functionality and troubleshoot issues.
Enhance your organization with the right LMS functions
Learning management systems are essential to an organization. These platforms integrate and preserve important institutional knowledge, allowing anyone to apply it to the enhanced outcome. It also streamlines training, improves employee satisfaction, and saves business time and money through automation and retention.
Although it is essential, not all learning management systems are built equally. Therefore, organizations must look for specific features before selecting a vendor. These include user-friendly, integration, reporting and analytics, security and support services. Leaders responsible for these key functions of LMS can improve training, support decision-making, improve employee performance, and ultimately increase organizational revenue.
Editor’s Note: Check out the directory to find, select and compare top LMS software in the e-learning industry.
