Eddy’s HR Mavericks Encyclopedia
The world's largest free encyclopedia of HR, with 700+ HR articles and podcasts.
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Learning Management System (LMS)
Researching learning management systems can be overwhelming. There are so many options with a wide variety of capabilities and price ranges. Here are three tips to choose the best LMS for you.
What Is a Learning Management System (LMS)?
Training employees can be a demanding and challenging task, yet it remains monumentally important. From compliance training to leadership development, many employers have made the shift from long hours of in-person training to online training platforms. Learning management systems (LMS) serve as the software to make this possible. Through LMS programs, employers can train and educate employees, volunteers, clients and business partners across wide distances and time zones.
44% of corporations are using an LMS for training
Learning and Development Statistics4 Top Learning Management Systems
There are many learning management systems that provide for a variety of needs. Some of the most popular systems include Absorb, TalentLMS, 360Learning and Docebo.
Absorb
Absorb LMS is a flexible learning platform well known for its ability to support many users. It is considered one of the best systems for large businesses and allows users to build versatile training programs. Pricing for Absorb is difficult to determine as it is not disclosed and is quoted per customer.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is considered the “user-friendly” learning management system. It is built to support large organizations and nonprofits, as well as small and medium-sized organizations. It is also known as one of the best systems for small businesses. For teams smaller than five individuals, TalentLMS is free. Otherwise it can cost about $69 per month.
360Learning
This system is great for collaborative learning and is focused on turning employees into champions. According to eLearning Industry, this system is best for “high-growth companies that want to build a culture of collaborative learning.” 360Learning is priced at $8 per user per month for up to 100 users. For more users, prices vary.
Docebo
Docebo is well known for its integration capability, as it works well with over 400 integrations including Dropbox, Adobe Connect, Facebook, Google Analytics and so much more. Docebo is a great system for large corporations as it can support thousands of users. Docebo’s prices are also not very transparent.
How Is a Learning Management System (LMS) Beneficial for HR?
Learning management systems can be a life-saver for your HR department when it comes to training employees. They can:
- Increase employee engagement. It can be incredibly challenging for employers to engage employees in training programs. Learning management systems introduce opportunities to build engaging programs for learning. They provide unique tools to create content and organize material that is designed to engage employees.
- Save time. 33% of HR managers say that time is a barrier to offering training. It takes time to create well-developed training programs. Pre-developed curriculum and curriculum building tools make it much easier to create a well-rounded training program that fits all of your needs. Additionally, LMS programs make it much easier to organize employee training and progress.
- Offer educated training options. Most learning management systems offer pre-built courses to choose from. These courses are typically well-researched and easy to use. If you are creating your own training program, these types of courses can help you know where to start and be a great resource.
What Does a Learning Management System (LMS) Do?
Learning management systems have a wide variety of capabilities. From helping maintain compliance to making training easier, they can greatly improve the employee experience.
Offer Compliance Management
In nearly every organization, employees or volunteers undergo training for compliance purposes. LMS programs can make compliance management much easier by allowing employers to assign specific compliance courses to employees or volunteers and track their completion. This makes it much easier to ensure compliance in critical areas.
Organize Training Material
One of the greatest strengths of learning management systems is the ability to organize and administer training material. Most systems also allow employers to track employee progress. These capabilities allow employers to better understand where their employees are in the training process and determine what they need.
Offer Mobile Learning
One unique feature that not every learning management system offers is the link to a mobile app. Systems with a mobile learning option are a great way to allow employees to complete their training almost anywhere. This can also improve employee engagement, as they can have access to their training program on a mobile device.
Online learning takes 40-60% less time
Learning and Development StatisticsBest Practices for Effectively Using a Learning Management System (LMS)
Relying entirely on an LMS to run on its own is not enough. To effectively utilize a system for training, it is recommended to ask for feedback about the system, choose your system intentionally, find ways to make it fun and promote your system within your organization to build momentum.
Seek Out Feedback
Like any HR process, feedback can be a great tool to understand what is and isn’t working. Employee feedback can guide your decision-making for your LMS to make critical improvements. Additionally, you can better personalize your system to meet the needs of your organization by gathering and using feedback.
Choose Intentionally
Being intentional with your LMS decisions can greatly increase the impact of your system. Not only should you pay close attention when picking out a system, but also carefully consider the courses that you include in your training programs. It may also be beneficial to cater decisions to your audience. If your team responds well to competitions and games, finding an LMS that allows you to gamify training material would greatly increase engagement.
Make It Fun
Training programs can be tedious and take a lot of effort from employees. Making training material fun can relieve some of the burden and employee boredom, which will likely increase engagement. Many learning management systems offer options to add videos and games into your training material.
Promote Internally
Internal promotion is possibly the most important best practice for utilizing an LMS, as your LMS will not be as effective in engaging employees in their training material if they don’t know about it. By getting managers, leaders and frontline employees excited about using your LMS, it will be much easier to implement the training.
Tips for Choosing the Right Learning Management System (LMS)
It can be overwhelming to research the many options out there to find the right learning management system. Here are three tips for choosing the best LMS for you.
Tip 1: Identify Your Needs and Objectives
The first place to start when choosing the right learning management system is to determine what role the LMS will play. Consider what your needs are. Do you need to train for compliance, develop leaders, upskill your team, or something else? Do you have a price range? Then consider what your objective is. Do you want to improve employee training engagement? Do you need to develop more material? Do you want to organize your content in a better way? All of these questions can help guide you to the best LMS for you and your organization. If an LMS doesn’t meet all of your needs, keep looking. There are many learning management systems out there.
Tip 2: Determine Your Options
As we’ve discussed here, there are many LMS options available. Sites like eLearning Industry can help you compare options side by side. When determining the options available to you, remember that many systems don’t give out price options without either a consultation or filling out a form. Don’t let this discourage you from finding the best option.
Tip 3: Keep Your Audience in Mind
Because there are so many options out there, you have the opportunity to cater to your audience in the best way possible. Consider what engages your team. Are they driven by growth opportunities? Then maybe an LMS that offers leadership and upskilling courses would be best. Do they respond well to competition? Maybe an LMS that offers games and incentives would be better. Are your employees more analytically minded or are they more creative? You can find a medium for delivering material that can cater to your audience in a unique way.
70% of employees find online self-paced learning desirable, and 63% say the same for online instructor-led learning
Learning and Development StatisticsTopics
Raelynn Randall, MHR, MBA
Rae has acquired HR experience in team leadership, research, training, recruiting, project management, and mentoring upcoming HR professionals. She is fascinated by workplace culture and the many implications it has on the world of business, especially HR. When possible, she seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge and give back to her community.
Frequently asked questions
Other Related Terms
Eddy’s HR Mavericks Encyclopedia
Learning Management System (LMS)
Researching learning management systems can be overwhelming. There are so many options with a wide variety of capabilities and price ranges. Here are three tips to choose the best LMS for you.
What Is a Learning Management System (LMS)?
Training employees can be a demanding and challenging task, yet it remains monumentally important. From compliance training to leadership development, many employers have made the shift from long hours of in-person training to online training platforms. Learning management systems (LMS) serve as the software to make this possible. Through LMS programs, employers can train and educate employees, volunteers, clients and business partners across wide distances and time zones.
44% of corporations are using an LMS for training
Learning and Development Statistics4 Top Learning Management Systems
There are many learning management systems that provide for a variety of needs. Some of the most popular systems include Absorb, TalentLMS, 360Learning and Docebo.
Absorb
Absorb LMS is a flexible learning platform well known for its ability to support many users. It is considered one of the best systems for large businesses and allows users to build versatile training programs. Pricing for Absorb is difficult to determine as it is not disclosed and is quoted per customer.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is considered the “user-friendly” learning management system. It is built to support large organizations and nonprofits, as well as small and medium-sized organizations. It is also known as one of the best systems for small businesses. For teams smaller than five individuals, TalentLMS is free. Otherwise it can cost about $69 per month.
360Learning
This system is great for collaborative learning and is focused on turning employees into champions. According to eLearning Industry, this system is best for “high-growth companies that want to build a culture of collaborative learning.” 360Learning is priced at $8 per user per month for up to 100 users. For more users, prices vary.
Docebo
Docebo is well known for its integration capability, as it works well with over 400 integrations including Dropbox, Adobe Connect, Facebook, Google Analytics and so much more. Docebo is a great system for large corporations as it can support thousands of users. Docebo’s prices are also not very transparent.
How Is a Learning Management System (LMS) Beneficial for HR?
Learning management systems can be a life-saver for your HR department when it comes to training employees. They can:
- Increase employee engagement. It can be incredibly challenging for employers to engage employees in training programs. Learning management systems introduce opportunities to build engaging programs for learning. They provide unique tools to create content and organize material that is designed to engage employees.
- Save time. 33% of HR managers say that time is a barrier to offering training. It takes time to create well-developed training programs. Pre-developed curriculum and curriculum building tools make it much easier to create a well-rounded training program that fits all of your needs. Additionally, LMS programs make it much easier to organize employee training and progress.
- Offer educated training options. Most learning management systems offer pre-built courses to choose from. These courses are typically well-researched and easy to use. If you are creating your own training program, these types of courses can help you know where to start and be a great resource.
What Does a Learning Management System (LMS) Do?
Learning management systems have a wide variety of capabilities. From helping maintain compliance to making training easier, they can greatly improve the employee experience.
Offer Compliance Management
In nearly every organization, employees or volunteers undergo training for compliance purposes. LMS programs can make compliance management much easier by allowing employers to assign specific compliance courses to employees or volunteers and track their completion. This makes it much easier to ensure compliance in critical areas.
Organize Training Material
One of the greatest strengths of learning management systems is the ability to organize and administer training material. Most systems also allow employers to track employee progress. These capabilities allow employers to better understand where their employees are in the training process and determine what they need.
Offer Mobile Learning
One unique feature that not every learning management system offers is the link to a mobile app. Systems with a mobile learning option are a great way to allow employees to complete their training almost anywhere. This can also improve employee engagement, as they can have access to their training program on a mobile device.
Online learning takes 40-60% less time
Learning and Development StatisticsBest Practices for Effectively Using a Learning Management System (LMS)
Relying entirely on an LMS to run on its own is not enough. To effectively utilize a system for training, it is recommended to ask for feedback about the system, choose your system intentionally, find ways to make it fun and promote your system within your organization to build momentum.
Seek Out Feedback
Like any HR process, feedback can be a great tool to understand what is and isn’t working. Employee feedback can guide your decision-making for your LMS to make critical improvements. Additionally, you can better personalize your system to meet the needs of your organization by gathering and using feedback.
Choose Intentionally
Being intentional with your LMS decisions can greatly increase the impact of your system. Not only should you pay close attention when picking out a system, but also carefully consider the courses that you include in your training programs. It may also be beneficial to cater decisions to your audience. If your team responds well to competitions and games, finding an LMS that allows you to gamify training material would greatly increase engagement.
Make It Fun
Training programs can be tedious and take a lot of effort from employees. Making training material fun can relieve some of the burden and employee boredom, which will likely increase engagement. Many learning management systems offer options to add videos and games into your training material.
Promote Internally
Internal promotion is possibly the most important best practice for utilizing an LMS, as your LMS will not be as effective in engaging employees in their training material if they don’t know about it. By getting managers, leaders and frontline employees excited about using your LMS, it will be much easier to implement the training.
Tips for Choosing the Right Learning Management System (LMS)
It can be overwhelming to research the many options out there to find the right learning management system. Here are three tips for choosing the best LMS for you.
Tip 1: Identify Your Needs and Objectives
The first place to start when choosing the right learning management system is to determine what role the LMS will play. Consider what your needs are. Do you need to train for compliance, develop leaders, upskill your team, or something else? Do you have a price range? Then consider what your objective is. Do you want to improve employee training engagement? Do you need to develop more material? Do you want to organize your content in a better way? All of these questions can help guide you to the best LMS for you and your organization. If an LMS doesn’t meet all of your needs, keep looking. There are many learning management systems out there.
Tip 2: Determine Your Options
As we’ve discussed here, there are many LMS options available. Sites like eLearning Industry can help you compare options side by side. When determining the options available to you, remember that many systems don’t give out price options without either a consultation or filling out a form. Don’t let this discourage you from finding the best option.
Tip 3: Keep Your Audience in Mind
Because there are so many options out there, you have the opportunity to cater to your audience in the best way possible. Consider what engages your team. Are they driven by growth opportunities? Then maybe an LMS that offers leadership and upskilling courses would be best. Do they respond well to competition? Maybe an LMS that offers games and incentives would be better. Are your employees more analytically minded or are they more creative? You can find a medium for delivering material that can cater to your audience in a unique way.
70% of employees find online self-paced learning desirable, and 63% say the same for online instructor-led learning
Learning and Development StatisticsTopics
Raelynn Randall, MHR, MBA
Rae has acquired HR experience in team leadership, research, training, recruiting, project management, and mentoring upcoming HR professionals. She is fascinated by workplace culture and the many implications it has on the world of business, especially HR. When possible, she seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge and give back to her community.
Frequently asked questions
Other Related Terms
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