Posted by Editor’s Note: This blog post has been updated in November 2021.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) are becoming quite common as organizations are accepting the need for continuous learning. However, there are still a lot of organizations that are reluctant to shed their traditional training programs and overhaul their employee development strategies. The primary reason for this could be the lack of awareness about the advantages of LMS, how it works, unfamiliarity with blended learning systems, or hesitation to embrace something new. If you are one such organization that has not taken the plunge, you might be losing out on good business. Sounds too far-fetched? Well, it has already been established that the rate of employee learning affects the growth of the business, and this blog will shed light on the merits of deploying an LMS to accelerate productivity, success, and stability.
Learning platforms have evolved significantly over the years. The training possibilities, capabilities, features, and more have certainly revolutionized the way organizations think about L&D at the workplace. Deploying a learning platform is now a critical necessity for organizations. There are numerous advantages of LMS, and this blog will highlight the key ones.
Here is what an LMS can do for your training, learning and development needs at the workplace:
Table of Contents
1. Blended Learning
An LMS makes blended learning possible; one that combines multiple forms of learning like eLearning, mobile learning, simulation-based learning, and even the traditional classroom training program. This is because the LMS acts as a central repository of all learning material and makes information available to employees which is suitable to the medium they are using to learn. For example, short quizzes and videos for mobile learning or detailed courseware through online learning. Moreover, exposing your employees to the same information albeit in different forms and through different media helps them retain learning better.
2. Engaged Learning
How many times can you effectively measure how interested your classroom learners are? Well, at times you can judge their lack of interest from their expressions and body language. But then the question arises – why does that happen? Simply because learners do not feel involved or invested in the learning process. An LMS puts the learners in active control of their learning, thus keeping them engaged in the process rather than limiting them to be passive receivers of information. Learners can view, organize, and schedule their learning activities based on their preferences – something that is of great interest to them.
3. Leverages Technology
Technology is driving our preferences in every sphere and is becoming increasingly challenging to fathom any aspect of our daily life sans technology. Deploying dependable technology at the workplace can propel success in the mission to impart training and learning experiences to employees. Technology covers many aspects, from a Learning Experience Platform (LXP) to using cutting-edge technological tools and resources to build your learning content, the options are yours to choose from.
Are you aware of the impact of Mixed Reality solutions in corporate training content? This video sheds light on this emerging trend in the creation of custom training content. When such progressive technologies are used in content creation, organizations must deploy the content on a robust learning platform. Technology also contributes to increased learner engagement, as emphasized in the previous paragraph.
4. Geographically Independent Learning
When you no longer must rely solely on classroom-based learning, your employees can have access to their accounts on the LMS from anywhere and anytime. A valuable training strategy for employees scattered across the globe. Remove barriers associated with training effectively. Pave the way for a self-paced and sustainable learning environment at the workplace. Modern LXPs today are cloud-enabled, and with dynamic access across devices make learning accessible.
5. Increased Social Learning
An LMS also makes it possible to integrate social learning elements. To conceptualize this, think of Facebook or Twitter as a learning platform, where your employees share updates, blogs, pictures, infographics, videos, and more related to the business; and participate in online discussions by commenting on one another’s posts. This makes collaborative learning possible and is a powerful motivator to increase learning time. Certain features on a learning platform are built to foster such meaningful learning conversations. Learners benefit from the social paradigm, and organizations too can rely on the wealth of user-generated content and feedback.
6. Flexibility to Learners
It is time we stop treating employees like college graduates expected to show up for classes. True, classroom-based learning has its own benefits, but it should be limited only when key skills or knowledge need to be delivered. Employees must be allowed the flexibility to pursue training when and where they want it – at home, during their daily commute, or at the office, day, or night. Enable flexibility and motivate learners to learn.
7. Performance Support
An LMS makes it possible to deliver a robust performance support system for employees by giving them ready-at-hand access to just-in-time learning. For example, on-the-job guides that direct employees on what to do when they encounter any issue. Or, how about a sales forecasting or prospecting tool for the team members? Simulation platform for the engineering or product team is another opportunity. Capitalize on the possibilities and provide employees with a platform to excel.
8. Extended Learning
How many traditional training programs acknowledge the learning of employees who are self-motivated to learn outside the office? None. If an employee watches a YouTube video or reads an article in the newspaper that positively affects his performance and knowledge at work, isn’t the employee getting trained out of self-interest? An LMS allows such extended learning activities to be monitored, recorded, and added to the account of individuals. Something that is sure to encourage self-motivated learning. xAPI is a powerful modern tool that is available on learning platforms today. Learn more about xAPI here.
These are just eight of the numerous advantages of LMS. Organizations using such platforms are increasing by the minute. Improved training, analytics, and overall performance and growth are the key takeaways for such organizations.
In the next section, let us look at a couple of frequently asked questions:
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What are the benefits of LMS?
While we have illustrated in detail some of the top advantages of LMS, organizations have reported remarkable success in their operations. Enterprises have deployed LMSs to support and improve performances across departments. Whether it is to deliver training for the sales staff to assist them in conversions and sales or improve time-to-productivity during onboarding employees or improve time-to-proficiency with employees’ skilling strategy, the merits are one too many. Do read this article on what defines an ideal LMS, to draw the best out of the learning platform. Another good read is this article “Five things to look out for while choosing an LMS”
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How does an LMS assist in corporate training?
A learning management platform, when deployed accurately, can become a one-stop-shop for all the organization’s learning and development needs. An LMS can be the platform to deploy custom content in a variety of media and formats using any of the time-tested learning strategies. A custom learning path on the platform can aid in delivering personalized training and fix skill gaps effectively. One of the important advantages of LMS is the ability to gather data and statistics. Organizations can very easily find courses that resonate most with the audience, the format preferred, and time spent on the platform, and use these actionable insights to refine and improve their offerings to employees. The ways an LMS can assist in corporate training are expansive and exhaustive. Would you like to explore custom content creation and/or deployment of a learning platform in your organization? Write to info@originlearning.com for more information.
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Are there any limitations with an LMS?
While there have been no reported limitations with an LMS, there are however certain barriers to overcome to derive the best use from a learning platform. Topping the chart is content. While an LMS aggregates and delivers training content, it can become pointless if suitable investments are not made in the creation of quality content. Only when this is achieved, can it be deployed on an LMS for learners to benefit from the experience. An LMS is as good as the content available. Every training area or topic needs to be addressed with relevant content in an array of media and formats, to appeal to the learner.
Another key aspect is the staff. Yes, you would need a team to manage the working and functionality of the deployed learning platform. Coding, security, maintenance, and other aspects are to be managed and governed by an exclusive team at the organization. However, if the organization deploys a Learning Experience Platform or LXP, the maintenance is handled entirely by the partner company along with white labeling and customization. As featured earlier in the blog too, an LXP is a sophisticated, learner-centric experience platform that is built on the foundation of accessibility, flexibility, and enhanced learning experiences. This video illustrates the key differences. Organizations must also be wary of the threats involved in the deployment of an open-source LMS. This article here explores the threats and vulnerabilities in detail. Do not miss the handy infographic published in the article.
We trust this blog has given you an insight into the many advantages of LMS for organizations at the workplace. Is there any specific area that needs clarity? Do write to us at info@originlearning.com