Employees are the lifeblood of any company. It’s essential to provide them with the best training and development opportunities possible in order to help them succeed. A learning management system (LMS) can be a great tool for employee training, but it’s important to use it effectively.
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A learning management system, or LMS, is an online platform that allows businesses to manage and track employee training. It can also be used to deliver courses and track learner progress.
As businesses become more and more reliant on learning management systems (LMS) to train their employees, it’s vital to be aware of the do’s and don’ts of using these platforms.
There are a lot of learning management system (LMS) options on the market these days. How do you know which one is right for your business? And once you’ve chosen an LMS, how do you make sure that you’re getting the most out of it?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss 12 do’s and don’ts of learning management systems. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to maximizing the effectiveness of your LMS!
Learning Management System: Everything You Need to Know
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that businesses use to manage employee training.
An LMS typically includes the following features:
- A learning platform: where employees can access course content, take quizzes and receive feedback
- A learning administration tool: where managers can create courses, assign learners to courses, and track progress
- A learning analytics tool: where businesses can measure the impact of their training programs on employee performance
There are many different types of learning management systems on the market. Some are more comprehensive than others, while some are geared towards specific industries or business needs. It’s important to choose an LMS that’s right for your business.
Benefits of LMS
There are many benefits of using learning management systems. Here are a few:
- Improved employee productivity:
A study by the American Society for Training and Development found that businesses that use learning management systems see a 24% increase in employee productivity.
- Increased engagement:
LMS platforms can help to increase employee engagement by making learning more interactive and engaging.
- Better training data:
With an LMS, businesses can collect data on employee learning progress and performance. This data can be used to improve future training programs.
- Cost savings:
An LMS can save businesses money by reducing the need for travel and accommodation costs associated with traditional face-to-face training programs.
- Better results through gamification:
LMS platforms can make learning more fun and engaging by incorporating elements of gamification, such as badges, leaderboards and points.
- Create engaging courses:
With an LMS, businesses can create courses that are more engaging and interactive than traditional learning methods. For example, businesses can use video, audio, and quizzes to make learning more engaging.
- Access learning content anytime, anywhere:
An LMS gives employees the flexibility to access learning content anytime, anywhere. This is especially beneficial for employees who are located in different time zones or who have different schedules.
- Increased retention:
Studies have shown that using an LMS can help increase employee retention rates. This is because employees who have access to an LMS are more likely to be engaged in their learning and development.
- Easy tracking & reporting:
An LMS makes it easy for businesses to track and report on employee learning progress. This data can be used to improve future training programs.
- Consistency of learning:
An LMS can help to ensure that all employees receive the same learning content. This is especially important for businesses with multiple locations or employees in different time zones.
- Keep your course up-to-date:
With an LMS, businesses can easily update their courses to keep them up-to-date with the latest industry trends. Suppose you’re using an LMS to train employees on the latest software. In that case, you can easily update the course content when a new software version is released.
- Easy distribution:
An LMS makes it easy to distribute learning content to employees. For example, businesses can use an LMS to send learning content to employees via email or push notifications.
- Improved compliance:
With an LMS, businesses can ensure that employees comply with their training requirements. This is especially important for businesses that are regulated by the government.
Types of Learning Management System
A learning management system can be classified based on the industry and the deployment method. That is, an LMS can be deployed on-premise or hosted on a cloud. The most common type of learning management system is the enterprise learning management system, which is used by businesses to train employees. Here is what you need to know:
Based on Deployment
There are five main types of learning management systems based on deployment:
- On-Premise:
An on-premise learning management system is installed and hosted on the company’s own servers. The advantage of an on-premise learning management system is that the company has complete control over the data and security. The disadvantage of an on-premise learning management system is that it requires a higher upfront cost and more IT resources to maintain.
- Cloud-Based:
A cloud-based learning management system is hosted on the provider’s servers. The advantage of a cloud-based learning management system is that it is easier to set up and requires fewer IT resources to maintain. The disadvantage of a cloud-based learning management system is that the company does not have complete control over the data and security.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) LMS:
A learning management system that is delivered as a software as a service (SaaS) is a cloud-based learning management system. This allows you to choose your service provider, opt for a free trial, and pick a plan based on your business requirements. That is, you only have to pay for the features that you use and can scale up or down as your needs change. Moreover, the service provider will look after the security aspect and software bugs.
- Private Cloud LMS:
A learning management system that is hosted on a private cloud is basically an on-premise learning management system. Here, the company has its own servers and IT infrastructure to host the learning management system. That is, you get a learning management system environment that is both private and secure. You don’t have to share code or resources with anyone else. This gives you the best security and performance possible.
- Open-source LMS:
A learning management system that is open source is one where the code is freely available to everyone. That is, anyone can download, modify, and distribute the code. The advantage of an open-source learning management system is that it is usually free and has a large community of developers who contribute to the development of the software. The disadvantage of an open-source learning management system is that it requires more technical expertise to set up and maintain.
Based on Industry
There are four main types of learning management systems based on industry:
- Academic LMS:
An academic learning management system is used by educational institutions to manage and deliver online courses. They are designed for use by students, teachers, and administrators.
For example, a university can use an academic learning management system like Thinkific to deliver online courses to students. Teachers can use it to create and deliver lesson plans, assignments, and quizzes.
Administrators can use an academic learning management system to track student progress and manage the institution’s learning resources. Moreover, parents and students can use an academic learning management system to communicate with each other.
- Corporate LMS:
A corporate learning management system is used by businesses to train employees. They are designed for use by employees, managers, and trainers.
For example, an employee can use a corporate learning management system like Podia to access training materials and courses. Managers can use it to create and assign training programs to employees.
Trainers can use a corporate learning management system to deliver training courses and track employee progress. Moreover, businesses can use a corporate learning management system to comply with industry regulations.
- Government LMS:
A government learning management system is used by government agencies to manage and deliver online services. They are designed for use by government employees, contractors, and citizens.
For example, a government employee can use a government learning management system like TalentLMS to access government services and information. Contractors can use it to submit bids for government contracts.
Citizens can use a government learning management system to apply for benefits and services. Moreover, government agencies can use a learning management system to comply with laws and regulations.
- Healthcare LMS:
A healthcare learning management system is used by healthcare organizations to manage and deliver online courses. They are designed for use by healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers.
For example, a healthcare professional can use a healthcare learning management system like LearnWorlds to access training materials and courses. Patients can use it to access health information and resources.
Caregivers can use a healthcare learning management system to access caregiving resources and information.
At SaaSGenius, we have reviewed and listed the best learning management system software available in 2022. You can go through each and every LMS software and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Do’s and Don’ts When Using Learning Management System
Now that you have a learning management system up and running, it’s time to start using it! Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when using your learning management system:
Dos
When it comes to using LMS software, there are a few things you should keep in mind to get the most out of it.
- Do create learning objectives:
Learning objectives are essential for any training program. They help you determine what employees need to learn and how they will be able to transfer that knowledge to their work.
Without learning objectives, it will be difficult to measure the success of your training program.
For example, if your learning objective is to increase employee productivity, you can measure this by tracking the number of tasks employees complete before and after training.
On the other hand, if your learning objective is to improve customer satisfaction, you can measure this by tracking the number of complaints before and after training.
- Do develop a learning plan:
A learning plan is a road map for your employee training program. It outlines the steps that need to be taken in order for employees to achieve the learning objectives.
A learning plan also helps you stay organized and on track while delivering employee training.
For example, if your learning objective is to increase employee productivity, your learning plan might include steps such as developing training materials, delivering training courses, and measuring employee progress.
On the other hand, if your learning objective is to improve customer satisfaction, your learning plan might include steps such as developing customer service training materials, delivering customer service training courses, and measuring customer satisfaction levels.
- Do use social media platforms:
Social media platforms can be used to deliver employee training in a variety of ways. For example, you can use social media to share learning resources, create discussion forums, and deliver training courses.
For example, if you’re using Facebook to deliver employee training, you can create a learning group where employees can share resources and ask questions.
You can also use Twitter to share links to learning resources and articles. Moreover, you can use LinkedIn to deliver online courses and training programs.
- Do use gamification:
Gamification is a great way to engage employees in learning. It can make learning fun and motivate employees to achieve their learning objectives.
Suppose you’re delivering a training course on customer service. You can gamify the learning experience by incorporating elements of game design into the course.
For example, you can give employees points for completing tasks, set up leaderboards, and offer rewards for progress made. Moreover, you can use gamification to deliver training courses on a variety of topics, such as sales, marketing, and human resources.
- Do track employee progress:
Tracking employee progress is essential for determining the success of your employee training program. There are a variety of ways to track employee progress, such as quizzes, exams, and evaluations.
For instance, you can use quizzes to assess employee knowledge before and after training. You can also use exams to measure employee skills and abilities.
In addition, you can use evaluations to provide feedback on the effectiveness of your employee training program. Please note that it’s important to track employee progress on a regular basis in order to make sure that employees are learning and progressing.
- Do include everyone you need to:
When developing and delivering employee training, it is important to include everyone who needs to be involved. This includes employees, managers, trainers, and learning & development professionals. Suppose you’re delivering a training course on customer service.
In this case, you would need to include employees who work in customer-facing positions, such as sales and support. You would also need to include managers who oversee customer-facing employees.
In addition, you would need to include trainers who will deliver the customer service training courses. Finally, you would need to include learning & development professionals who can help design and develop the training courses.
- Do set a clear timeline:
A clear timeline will help you stay on track and ensure that your employee training program is delivered on time.
For example, if you’re delivering a training course on customer service, you might want to set a timeline for developing the training materials, delivering the training courses, and measuring employee progress.
- Do use learning management system features:
Learning management system software is packed with features that can make delivering employee training easier.
For example, you can use the learning content management system to create and deliver courses, the learning assessment tool to measure employee progress, and the learning reporting tool to generate reports.
- Do consider the costs:
There are a variety of costs associated with employee training, such as learning management system software, learning content, and employee time.
For instance, learning management system software can cost a few hundred dollars per year.
Learning content can cost a few thousand dollars, depending on the type of content you’re using.
Finally, employee time is the most significant cost associated with employee training. This includes the time employees spend learning new skills and the time they spend away from their work tasks.
- Do decide on the best delivery method:
There are a variety of ways to deliver employee training. The best delivery method will depend on the learning objectives, the employees, and the resources available.
For instance, you can deliver employee training online, in person, or through a combination of both. You can also use a variety of learning tools, such as e-learning courses, instructor-led training, and on-the-job training.
- Do fully commit to your new LMS:
Once you’ve decided to implement a learning management system, it’s important to fully commit to it. This means using all of the features and functionality that your learning management system has to offer.
That is, don’t just use your learning management system to deliver courses. Use it to track employee progress, generate reports, and create learning paths.
- Do your homework on the provider:
Not all learning management system providers are created equal. It’s important to do your homework and choose a provider that offers the features and functionality that you need.
To do this, you can read learning management system reviews, compare features, and request demos. Moreover, you can talk to other businesses that use learning management systems and get their feedback.
Don’ts
While there are many things you should do when using a learning management system, there are also a few things you shouldn’t do. Here are a few learning management system dos and don’ts:
- Don’t forget to assign tasks:
One of the most common mistakes businesses make is forgetting to assign tasks to employees. If you’re using a learning management system, it’s important to assign learning tasks to employees, such as taking courses or completing quizzes.
This will ensure that your employees are actually using the learning management system and benefiting from it.
Suppose you have an employee who’s taking a course on customer service. In that case, you might want to assign them a task to complete the course within a certain timeframe.
- Don’t neglect to give feedback:
Feedback is essential for employee learning and development. When using a learning management system, be sure to give employees feedback on their progress.
For instance, you can use the learning assessment tool to grade quizzes and exams. You can also use the learning reporting tool to generate reports that show employee progress over time.
- Don’t neglect mobile learning:
Mobile learning is an important part of any employee training program. With mobile learning, employees can access learning content on their smartphones and tablets.
This is important because it allows employees to learn new skills while they’re on the go. To make sure your employees are benefiting from mobile learning, be sure to use a learning management system that’s optimized for mobile devices.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions:
If you’re not sure how to use a learning management system, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are many learning management system experts who can help you get the most out of your learning management system.
You can also find a wealth of information on learning management systems by reading online forums and blog posts. Some common questions that learning management system users have include:
 How do I create learning paths? How do I assign tasks to employees? How do I give feedback on employee progress? How do I generate reports? |
- Don’t forget to keep your team informed:
When you’re using a learning management system, it’s important to keep your team informed. This means sending out regular updates on employee progress and learning activities. You can use the learning management system to send out these updates.
For instance, you can use the learning reporting tool to generate reports that show employee progress over time. Alternatively, you can use the learning assessment tool to grade quizzes and exams.
- Don’t assume an LMS can only be used for traditional “learning” management:
A learning management system can be used for much more than just managing employee learning.
For instance, you can use a learning management system to manage employee performance. You can use the learning assessment tool to grade employees on their performance.
Alternatively, you can use the learning reporting tool to generate reports that show employee progress over time. Moreover, you can use the learning management system to create and manage employee development plans.
- Don’t be intimidated:
Learning management systems can be complex, but they don’t have to be. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start by learning the basics.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more advanced features. There are many learning management system experts who can help you get the most out of your learning management system.
You can also find a wealth of information on learning management systems by reading online forums and blog posts.’
- Don’t be afraid to take your time:
As a business that is implementing LMS, you might be feeling pressure to get up and running as quickly as possible. However, it is important to take your time when learning how to use a learning management system.
This is because a learning management system can be complex, and you don’t want to make any mistakes. When in doubt, consult with a learning management system expert. This will help in ensuring a smooth and successful learning management system implementation.
- Don’t cut off contact:
Just because you’re using a learning management system doesn’t mean you should cut off contact with your employees. In fact, it’s important to keep in touch with your employees when they’re learning new skills. This is because you can provide them with feedback and support.
To keep in touch with your employees, be sure to use the learning management system’s messaging feature. This will allow you to send messages to individual employees or groups of employees.
Ask about their progress, inquire about the challenges, give feedback, and provide support as needed. Keeping an open communication channel will motivate your employees and help them succeed.
- Don’t create an unrealistic LMS budget:
A learning management system can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
When creating your LMS budget, be sure to consider all of the costs associated with learning management systems. These costs include the cost of the learning management system itself, the cost of employee training, and the cost of social media platforms.
Additionally, you should factor in the time it will take to implement and maintain a learning management system.
By taking all of these costs into consideration, you can create a realistic budget for your learning management system.
- Don’t overlook analytics and reporting features:
Many learning management systems come with powerful analytics and reporting features in the user interface.
These features can be used to track employee progress, identify areas of improvement, and measure the success of your learning management system. Make sure you take advantage of these features by using them to generate reports and analyzing the data.
- Don’t forget integrations:
A learning management system can be even more powerful when it’s integrated with other software.
For example, you can integrate your learning management system with your HR software to manage employee learning and performance in one place.
Additionally, you can integrate your learning management system with social media platforms to create a more collaborative learning environment and user experience.
Signs that Your Business Needs an LMS
If your business is growing, then it might be time to start using a learning management system. Here are some signs that indicate your business is ready for an LMS:
- You’re spending too much time on employee training:
If you’re spending more than 20% of your time on employee training, then it’s time to start using a learning management system. A learning management system can automate employee training and make it more efficient.
- You have a lot of employees:
If you have more than 50 employees, then a learning management system can help you keep track of employee learning. Additionally, a learning management system can help you deliver consistent training to all of your employees.
- You’re using multiple software programs:
If you’re using multiple software programs to manage employee learning, then an LMS can help you consolidate these programs into one platform. This will save you time and money in the long run.
- You need to improve employee productivity:
If you need to improve employee productivity, then a learning management system can help. A learning management system can provide employees with the resources they need to be successful.
Additionally, a learning management system can track employee progress and identify areas for improvement.
- You want to save time and money:
If you want to save time and money, then a learning management system is a good investment. A learning management system can automate employee training and deliver consistent results.
Additionally, a learning management system can be integrated with other software programs to save you time and money.
- You’re not sure if employees are retaining the information they’re learning:
If you’re not sure if employees are retaining the information they’re learning, then a learning management system can help. A learning management system can track employee progress and identify areas of improvement.
Additionally, a learning management system can provide employees with the resources they need to be successful.
If you can relate to any of the above points, then it’s time to start looking into learning management systems. Learning management systems can save you time, money, and resources while providing a wealth of features and benefits. Do your research and find the learning management system that’s right for your business.
Conclusion
A learning management system can be a powerful tool for businesses, helping them with the onboarding process to employee training and more.
Learning management systems come with a variety of features and benefits that can help businesses save time, money, and resources. If you’re thinking about using a learning management system, then consider the above points.