The proliferation of eLearning and other corporate training initiatives hasn’t been limited to front-line workers adapting new skills. According to Elearning! magazine, 65 percent of content delivered through eLearning programs is compliance. A statistic such as this confirms how beneficial digital training strategies are for all employees, from the sales floor all the way up to the C level.
Companies considering adopting, replacing, or extending a learning management system (LMS) must carefully consider their options. The capabilities and potential of an LMS must match the capital outlay that will be put forth—if you discover in a year or two that the system chosen doesn’t suit your needs, your options so soon after spending so much will likely be limited. Therefore, an effective learning management system comparison is essential when deciding on a platform. Here’s why:
eLearning Is Booming
More and more organizations are turning to digital training initiatives to teach and enhance the skills of their workforces. The advantages are obvious: eLearning content costs less, can reach more employees, can better engage those employees, and is easily delivered and updated. This trend will only continue to grow, so an LMS must be capable of handling whatever scope your training approach demands. A learning management system comparison can determine what platform will meet your current and future needs.
Current, and Future, Technology Must Be Considered
The existing learning management systems of many organizations were developed and installed before many current technologies hit the scene. Smartphones, tablets, streaming video, and everywhere Wi-Fi are just a few advances that have changed the business world but also have strained the capabilities of many LMS platforms. When performing a learning management system comparison, consider how the solution incorporates the latest technological trends. Furthermore, you should also take into account how well an LMS is positioned to handle the next wave of devices and innovations.
Mobility and BYOD
Many LMS platforms are limited by how or where content can be consumed. Employees may be forced to watch eLearning materials on a computer in their boss’s office, away from the action—and away from where they will be actually applying the skills they are being taught. Thanks to the emergence of tablets such as iPads, training content can now be viewed just about anywhere, even sometimes without a Wi-Fi signal … if the LMS permits it. Furthermore, the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) craze provides even more corporate training opportunities that are convenient for employee and organization alike. Therefore, be sure to consider mobility when performing a learning management system comparison.
Communication Is Essential
An LMS should facilitate communication among all its users, from managers implementing training content to employees participating in it. The ability to ask questions, offer feedback, leave comments, and provide instructions will maximize the effects of eLearning. When conducting a learning management system comparison, investigate how streamlined a platform’s communication processes are, as well as how it adapts and incorporates various communication modes (e.g., texting, email, Snapchat, Skype, and so on).
What do you feel is the most critical consideration when conducting a learning management system comparison?
