An LMS, also known as a Learning Management System, is the perfect software for all types of learning and training programs in your organization. The software can help you observe the progress of every employee, assess the statistics, check the results, and track the time, among other features.
An LMS makes life so much easier for your employee, especially if they are a newcomer knowing nothing about your business processes and products or services. The LMS market is increasing day by day. Organizations are using this software for providing effective learning solutions.
LMS systems are excellent tools to simplify training and build learning and development processes more efficiently. An LMS gives employees the information they require in a straight and ordered approach, thus, the employees do not have to waste time going through long and monotonous online training content. In its place, they can simply click on the required section and begin with the learning process.
A learning management system is a kind of digital teacher that is always available and geared up to assist.
We have collated some of the key LMS features that are beneficial in training your employees.
Mobile-Friendly
Whenever you pick a learning management system, ensure it is accessible on all kinds of devices, including mobile devices – smartphones, laptops, and tablets. The aim is to provide full access to LMS content, irrespective of the time of the day. Since most people use their mobile devices more often than desktops/laptops, having an LMS that works on mobile devices is very crucial. The mobile version gives the users flexibility to take courses whenever and wherever it is comfortable for them.
Easy Content Development & Management
Just the way content is necessary for an application or a website, in the same way, content is of high significance when it comes to online training. Boring, irrelevant, and long training content can make it difficult for employees to stay engaged. This is where the in-built authoring tool of a learning management system becomes a blessing in disguise.
When you develop your own online training content using a learning management system, you can create programs that are more relevant to your goals and objectives.
Skills Management, Testing, and Assessment
In addition to the content development, an LMS must have a tool to assess and manage the skills that the employees acquire during the training process. The skills assessment tool is essential to see whether training is enough to perform the job responsibilities. You can assess skills in the form of assignments and quizzes.
Security
Ensure your LMS is fully secured and the security should not be overlooked in any circumstances. It is imperative to make sure that only credited users can remove or edit the eLearning course content from your online learning portal. Security helps you prevent losing business data and exposing the private information of your employees.
Surveys, Statistics, and Achievements
A strong LMS will provide you with the facility to track the development of employees. This includes the number of assignments completed, how long it took to complete a quiz, and the number of quizzes taken. The LMS also lets you add motivational elements based on your employee’s achievements and scores to encourage using the LMS.
Social Learning Features
The employees using an LMS are more engaged and retain the knowledge for a longer period when they work together with their colleagues, all thanks to the collaborative learning that an LMS makes possible. Thus, you need to look for social and collaborative features in your LMS. This will help your employees absorb more knowledge as the employees will discuss and share it with their colleagues. This will also help in improving communication among employees and their managers. Smart training platforms like LMSs offer your employees the ability to see their activity feeds online, and give and receive feedback from their online instructors.
Notifications
Similar to most software platforms and applications, an LMS must provide synchronized updates on its lessons, particular programs, exams, and learners’ progress. The employees using the software should receive notifications. Some of the notifications could be like – “Hello, (name of the employee), The new course content on the topic ‘How to enhance your skills more effectively’ is live now. Check it out.”
An LMS sends notifications in the following forms – images, simple text, or action buttons.
Look For Video Learning Features
Video-based learning is essential in a new learning environment. Videos make learning easy and entertaining. Today’s modern learners do not rely on books, texts, or traditional training methods for gathering information. Instead, they are inclined towards videos and visuals to truly understand a concept or content. A lot of companies have started creating video marketing strategies looking at the spike in video-based learning. Video content and video-based learning is in and is widely used by the employees.
Learning Statistics and Reports
An LMS can help keep track of every employee’s learning process, thus helping you learn about who is lagging, who needs more attention, and who is performing well. Proper reporting and analytics let you focus on the areas where online learners need improvement and you can offer extra learning material to help employees.
LMS facilitates a high level of expertise for your employees
The more skilled your employees are, the faster and better they can communicate with your customers and perform their daily tasks more efficiently. Even those that may be lagging can be assisted so that they too can acquire new skills. You can also update modules to keep up with the latest trends so that learners will not be left behind.
Conclusion
There are multiple options that the market offers when it comes to LMS systems. Yet, very few LMSs have all the features you require your LMS software to have.
Furthermore, if you want to obtain a “one-stop-shop” solution, it’s better to develop your own LMS by working with a team of developers who are well aware of the platform. Most importantly, the LMS you develop must have gamification and real-time performance updates.
Moreover, an LMS reduces the cost of training your old and new employees because you do not have to print out hundreds of manuals or any other study materials and you do not need to rent space for training your staff.