Learning is a lifelong process and this applies to adults as much as children. Adults learn best by engaging with knowledge, exploring new subjects and skills in a structured way. They also tend to be more independent learners. Meaning that they are able to focus on learning on their own without the help of others. That being said, adults need to be more self-aware and get better at breaking down complex information into bite-sized chunks so they can take advantage of opportunities for personal growth throughout their lives. Enter learning management systems (LMSs). These tools give users easy access to digital content, training resources, assessment tools and other resources that support learning within an organization or school environment. They enable instructors to track student progress, assign homework assignments and track performance against specific learning objectives using software that’s compatible with specific operating systems and mobile devices.

What is an LMS?

An LMS is a software platform used for administrating online courses, delivering online and virtual training sessions, and managing assessment data. In addition to online courses, LMSs are popular tools for managing and delivering on-demand learning programs, including courses, e-books, and virtual workshops. LMSs can be used by institutions of all sizes, including public, private and non-profit schools, colleges, universities, and organizations of all types — including corporations, healthcare providers, and government agencies. LMSs are particularly valued among educators because they enable instructors to easily collect and assign homework assignments, track student progress and create effective educational programs.

How an LMS Works

An LMS is designed as a portal that connects educational institutions with various digital tools, including content management systems, learning management systems, and video delivery systems. Using an LMS, instructors can manage all of these resources through a centralized interface that lets them easily assign and collect assignments, track student progress, and create effective online educational programs. LMSs are often connected to an organization’s existing digital tools. This allows instructors to easily create new course materials and assign work using everything from an institution’s existing website to their digital library system.

Advantages of using an LMS

– Controlled Reading Environment – Reading is an important skill that can be enhanced with practice. Reading in a controlled environment can help an instructor keep students focused and on task. Reading in a controlled environment can also encourage students to explore new concepts by reading outside of their comfort zone. – Streamlined Communication – Communication is essential to the learning process. An LMS can help instructors manage the flow of communication by creating a central place to store documents, communicate with students and track assignments. – Standardized Curriculum – As learning standards become more standardized and national assessments become more prevalent, it can be beneficial to use an LMS to standardize curriculum across all courses. An LMS can serve as a centralized hub that connects all of an organization’s content and resources. – Customizable Course Design – Creating an effective online course can be challenging. An LMS can help instructors navigate these challenges by providing a centralized hub that connects all relevant tools and resources.

Disadvantages of using an LMS

– Inability to Integrate Different Tools – As learning management systems continue to grow in popularity, some instructors are beginning to notice that their old-school digital tools aren’t as easily integrated with new learning management systems. This can result in frustrating complications that inhibit learning. – Data Security Issues – When students take notes on laptops and smartphones, it’s important to protect the data with a secure password. Unfortunately, learning management systems often don’t include security features that let instructors set and enforce strong passwords. If a student forgets their password, their data is safe. But if their instructor forgets their password, their data is lost. – Difficulty Interfacing with Existing Systems – A common complaint among instructors is that they have to learn a new system to manage their existing digital resources. Learning a new system can be frustrating, especially when the new system is designed to replace an existing one. – Inconsistent Use of Digital Tools – Learning management systems have a tendency to standardize content and resources across courses, but they don’t always standardize how instructors use those resources. An instructor in one course might use a certain tool for a certain purpose, while an instructor in another course might use the same tool for a different purpose.

Using a hybrid learning management system

A hybrid learning management system is a combination of an LMS and a general-purpose tool. It provides an easy way for instructors to create online courses, collect and manage assignments, create quizzes, and create tests on any device. All of this is powered by a general-purpose tool that’s been custom-built to interface with the hybrid LMS. This approach to hybrid learning management systems allows instructors to take advantage of the advantages of an LMS while leveraging the advantages of a general-purpose tool.

Conclusion

Learning is a lifelong process, and adults need to be more self-aware and get better at breaking down complex information into bite-sized chunks so they can take advantage of opportunities for personal growth throughout their lives. An LMS is a software platform used for administrating online courses, delivering online and virtual training sessions, and managing assessment data. They enable instructors to track student progress, assign homework assignments and track performance against specific learning objectives using software that’s compatible with specific operating systems and mobile devices. More info: lms vs lxp