Learning Management System: The Fundamentals

Digital and online learning have paved the way for modernized training and L&D initiatives. Right from K-12 students to corporate individuals, a lot of people are accessing digital learning methods to gain new skills.

In fact, reports show that about 40% of Fortune 500 companies use learning software training platforms to remain competitive. Additionally, 72% of the organizations have begun to adopt LMS systems to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Learning management systems help students and employees gain access to learning content on their terms. These systems have made learning flexible, which is what drives the adoption of LMSs across various spheres of training and learning.

The Conception of LMS

In 1924, Sidney Pressey invented a “teaching machine,” which laid the foundation of the learning management systems in existence today. The first LMS consisted of a typewriter with two windows – one that displayed a question to the participant and the second where they were required to input an answer.

Then in 1929, there came the Problem Cylinder invented by M.E. Lazerte. The cylinder worked by presenting a problem statement to the participant, and then proceeded to assess whether the steps they took to arrive at a solution were correct.

The first adaptive teaching system was invented in 1956 by Gordon Park and Robin McKinnon-Wood. This system would adapt to the difficulty and skill level of the participants in real-time.

However, it wasn’t until the invention of the first desktop computer in 1970 by Hewlett Packard that the modern LMS took on an entirely new form. This was followed by the invention of TCP/IP internet that allowed increased access to online learning.

In 1990, SoftArc published the first-ever LMS for the MacIntosh platform, followed by the invention of Moodle in 2002 by Martin Dougiamas. From then on, LMS systems have only been improving and developing into further, extended functionalities to serve the needs of the current users.

Who Requires an LMS?

LMS systems are used by a wide range of users. Because learning management systems help create an ecosystem of education that is centralized and democratized, users from across all industries find such platforms beneficial for growth.

It is the education industry, though, that has benefitted the most from learning management systems because of the nature of learning and delivery. In addition to educational institutions, the following types of entities leverage the power of LMS systems today:

• Corporations use LMS systems extensively to provide training to their workforce.
• Businesses also leverage LMS systems to help their employees gain the necessary skills and knowledge for working in systematic workplaces, following the necessary policies and procedures that their workplace requires.
• Independent educators frequently make use of LMS systems to distribute their learning content efficiently to their candidates. Modern LMS systems also allow educators to create learning content on the platform itself, streamlining the entire process even further.
• Individuals seeking to gain new skills or students who need supplemental or an assistive push to learn the curriculum make use of LMS access to acquire new learning materials for their educational progress.

The Must-Have Features of LMS Systems

To be effective, the best learning management systems provide the following key features to the users:

Easy Integrability

For organizations or institutions with existing digital solutions, it is important for the learning management system to have an easy integration facility. For example, if you need to integrate LMS with CRM for sales training, the software should have an arrangement for it. Consider selecting platforms that allow for services like Zapier to easily use third-party plugin integrations.

Additionally, you can consider getting LMS platforms that provide APIs or SDKs to create a customized integration.

Data Tracking

Learning management systems help learners learn. However, for educators or trainers, it is important to gain visibility into the learning process to assess whether the content is relevant and effective.

For this, it is important for the LMS systems to have data tracking and analytics features that enable educators to evaluate the learning and progress of participants.

Automation

Sometimes, it is necessary to give the learners a little nudge or reminders to continue their journey when a disengagement from a course is detected. Automated reminders, alerts, and course updates help educators keep learners engaged in a course through personalized notifications, email reminders, and more.

It also helps to remind the participants of the impending deadlines of a course.

Assessments

Assessments are an excellent way of evaluating learning effectiveness. The best learning management systems have automated assessment features that educators can specify for timing and performance benchmarks.

The assessment data can then be collated into analytical reports that help educators see how well the learners have performed – as a class and as individuals.

Select the Best Learning Management System

Did you know that 49% of learners prefer to access learning at their point of need? This is one of the many things that LMS systems help provision for the modern learner. GyrusAim LMS caters to modern needs through its state-of-the-art features like unified learning, enabling effective management of the classroom with virtual and remote-friendly tools.

GyrusAim provides real-time data visualization that helps educators gauge learning effectiveness as it happens. Additionally, the LMS system enables educators to provide social learning through features that enable sharing and discussion on social channels.

All the modernized learning needs of your organization can be effectively fulfilled with GyrusAim LMS. Learn more about the LMS platform here.