Is your current learning management system adequate for your course requirements?
Will it be able to grow with your online course business?
It’s not just a matter of whether it can take on all of your learners and courses; you also need to consider whether your LMS has the level of functionality you require to deliver the best possible learning experience.
Many LMS’s make it easy for online course creators to get started, but they won’t give you many opportunities to scale up. You’re especially likely to face this challenge on hosted platforms like Udemy or Coursera. These are highly recognizable, highly marketed eLearning brands which attract both educators and learners. However, if you plan to grow your audience and offer a more engaging and rich learning experience, they aren’t enough!
So, whether you’re replacing your existing LMS or getting one for the first time, it’s essential to take a good look into the market and carefully pick the right platform for your business needs right now and down the road.
Believe it or not, in 2019, there are now more than 600 options out there. This isn’t surprising since the LMS market is projected to grow by almost 25 percent between 2017 and 2022.
But, before recommending some helpful resources, I’m going to mention the key elements that you should be looking for to enhance your customer’s experience.
I’ve noticed that what stops most online course creators from choosing the best learning platform is not knowing the top features to focus on. Here are my top LMS functions to focus on:
Now, here are some of the best resources on the web to help you choose the best LMS for your online course business:
Resource #1: 10 Things You Need To Know When Choosing A Learning Management System
This article explores some of the things you should consider when choosing a Learning Management System. For example, you need to understand the learning needs – this means thinking about what is your student expecting to achieve at the end of the learning session.
Will you need to have functionalities like user registration, quizzes, and certifications? Or will you need a platform where interaction between the student and the coach is easily done?
This article also discusses other important factors:
- Ease of integration
- Mobile-friendliness
- Pricing
- Content compatibility
- Customer support
- Analysis and reporting features
- Security
- Future scope
Resource #2: How to Get the Best LMS for Your Organization
This article will help you to understand your needs from a different angle – by asking the right questions!
It helps you to determine exactly what you need from an LMS so you can properly focus your search. The information here will assist you in quickly eliminating options which are unsuitable for your business. This guide even includes a handy infographic.
Resource #3: 5 Useful Tips to Choose the Right Learning Management System (LMS)
One of the unique things about this blog post is that it encourages you to think about the tracking and reporting capabilities you will need. This may not be the first thing you consider when you think about launching a course but it’s critical for your online course business.
Do you need your LMS to keep track of the number of attempts your students make at each assignment? Or do you want to export reports in specific formats? This post highlights these and other features you may need.
Resource #4: The Ultimate List of Learning Management Systems
This isn’t just an extensive list of learning management systems (although it discusses numerous options). This resource also includes helpful tips to increase the likelihood of student success. It encourages you to look for features which promote engagement and course completion which are key elements of a successful online course.
Resource #5: Choosing a Learning Management System: 5 Key Steps
It may seem really complicated to choose an LMS, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. The five simple steps detailed in this article will demystify the process and help you to find what you need with minimal fuss. If you want a straightforward guide, this is it!
Resource #6: LMS Comparison: What LMS suits your needs best?
This is a comprehensive comparison post based on the author’s research into more than 300 options. You’ll find a wealth of information and insightful graphics which will assist you in finding the best learning management system for your needs. The post even lists the top three open-source LMS vendors!
Resource #7: 7 Tips to Select A User-Friendly LMS That Aligns with The Skills And Expertise Of Your Team
If you currently have an LMS, you may want to evaluate whether it is working well for your entire team. Maybe there are some students who struggle with the interface or some of the features. This article will help you to choose a system which is appropriate for everyone’s skills and expertise.
Once you’ve read the tips, download the guide to get started.
Resource #8: Creating Your LMS Requirements Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re not entirely sure what you need from a learning management system, this step-by-step buyers guide is ideal for you. It shows you how to identify your particular requirements and choose an LMS without going through a complicated process.
And if you need a proven, fool-proof method for determining your company’s training needs, this step-by-step guide is ideal.
Choosing among hundreds of learning management systems can be overwhelming. However, if you use these resources you’ll find it a lot easier. Once you have identified exactly what you need, you should ensure you get:
- Technology which will meet your needs both now and in the future
- Support which ensures the technology will perform in the way it is designed to
- The best price and a satisfactory return on investment
{{cta(‘f117a954-887a-4df7-a7b2-6478c42e810d’)}}
Recent Comments