DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES

A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs. The learning management system concept emerged directly from e-Learning.

Learning management systems (LMS) provide a centralized platform for educators and administrators to manage and organize educational materials and track student progress. They are also used for designing content and courses, and facilitating online learning.

Some basic LMS, or limited versions of broader LMS products, are available for without any cost. Paid versions’ pricing can vary dramatically based on number of users, features offered, and level of customer support. Pay-Per-Use can range from less than $1 up to $10 per learner per course. Pay-Per-User/Learner a flat fee per learner that cost around $5 per month or even less if there are many company enrollees. License Fee one-time fee to access the LMS for a set period of time (ex. per month or for a whole year)

A good LMS interface is intuitive and user-friendly whoever the user. It should be quick to learn. After all, a series of courses on how to take a course is hardly how individuals and organizations want to spend their time, energy and resources. Ease of use is a must-have LMS feature for everyone.

The LMS market is expected to be worth over $15.72 billion in 2021. The highest proportion of revenue contribution is expected to be generated in North America. 41.7% of global Fortune 500 companies now use some form of educational technology to instruct employees during formal learning hours. Roughly half of all college classes will be eLearning-based. It is more than obvious that eLearning has revolutionized and changed the way we look at knowledge and skill acquisition. Thereby, there is an increasing demand for LMSs to systematically implement and manage eLearning. With 1000+ LMS vendors and too many LMS features to choose from, we can definitely say that Learning Management Systems are here to stay!

Types of learning management systems

The different types of LMS deployment options are:

Cloud-based

Self-hosted

Desktop application

Mobile application

Cloud-based LMS vendors take care of maintaining the system and performing any technical updates or upgrades. Online users can access the system from anywhere, at any time, using a username and password.

Self-hosted LMSes require software to be downloaded by the user. The self-hosted platform provides greater creative control and customization, but users must maintain the system themselves and often must pay for updates.

Desktop application LMSes are installed on the user’s PC. However, the application may still be accessible on multiple devices.

Mobile application LMSes support mobile learning and are accessible wherever and whenever through mobile devices. This platform deployment type allows users to engage with and track their online learning initiatives on the go.

The various pricing models used for learning management systems include:

Freemium – This pricing model allows users to access the basic features of some LMS platforms. Once users start engaging with the more advanced functionalities of the system, then a fee is added.

Subscription – Users pay a recurring fee at regular intervals in order to access the LMS. The subscription may grant an organization total access to all LMS features, or it may require the organization to pay for each system user.

Licensing – This is either an annual fee that companies must renew or an upfront fee that provides users with unlimited lifetime access.

Benefits of a learning management system

Learning management systems provide users with a variety of benefits, regardless of the type of organization using it. For example, an LMS can save an organization time and money. Instead of making learners take time out of their day to travel and sit through lessons or training, LMSes allow users to complete the coursework at a time that is best for them. Additionally, costs can be cut by eliminating the need for instructors, training days, training materials, travel expenses and location hiring.

Other benefits of learning management systems include:

the ability to monitor user progress and performance;

increased eLearning accessibility without geographic limitations;

the ability to personalize the online training and learning experience;

the ability to easily and efficiently update eLearning modules and activities;

the ability to easily ensure online training and learning materials are being distributed effectively; and

the use of automation that allows users to forget about tedious, repetitive tasks — such as user enrollment and certification distribution — and focus on more important activities.

Finally, centralized learning is another major benefit provided by LMSes. It allows an organization to safely organize and store all information in one location. This allows instructors and admins to more easily update and maintain learning materials. It also helps produce effective training that is consistent across the organization. Furthermore, most LMSes include advanced features that help guarantee the data and content remain secure.

Examples of learning management systems

As mentioned before, employee training and onboarding are some of the most common uses for LMSes. When using an LMS for these purposes, instructors can create immersive learning experiences that allow users to develop new skills and problem-solving capabilities. For example, an LMS could be used to create tutorials that incorporate AR, virtual reality (VR) and even AI training. This will likely have the effect of improving creativity and innovation throughout the workforce.