What is an LMS? | How to Choose the Right Learning Management System
A learning management system (LMS)’s purpose is to empower Learning and Development (L&D) departments with training and development for their learners, so they can continue a company’s growth, success, and ultimately drive revenue. These are some pretty big learning goals.
To really achieve all of the above, a learning management system needs to be an intelligent and modern solution. This is because, for a platform to see high user adoption, people have to like using it. Audiences take most naturally to an LMS when it adopts modern solutions that people are used to working with. More traditional modes of employee training like paper tests and in-person instructor-led training just don’t hit the mark for modern learners these days.
To understand how LMS software improves all things enterprise learning, we’ll first cover what an LMS is, why it’s an essential tool, and how to get the most out of it. Now’s the time to get schooled – our complete guide to a learning management system is here to help. (Grab a notepad, you’ll want to write some of this down).
What does an LMS mean?
A learning management system is a software-based or SaaS platform that supports the administration, automation, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs. In short, it helps you deliver training materials to various audiences – think everything from to online courses, to real-time instruction sessions. What’s more, most systems nowadays can even be accessed via smartphone.
The powerhouse of a complete learning technology solution, an LMS operates best when it’s scalable and flexible to the various needs of your learners. It’s also a fundamental component of an effective learning strategy.
Learning management systems are used to deploy a variety of learning strategies across different formats, including (but not limited to ) formal, experiential, and social learning, to manage functions such as compliance training, certification management, and sales enablement.
The best LMS says “you want it, I got it” (well… actually, we’re still working on the genie functionality to give you the ultimate user-friendly experience).
E-learning and web shops overall have also evolved into larger-scale revenue generators for the extended by addressing training needs and strategically motivated learning outcomes (we mean business).