LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

WHAT IS LMS

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or Web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process. Typically, a learning management system provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance. A learning management system may also provide students with the ability to use interactive features such as threaded discussions, video conferncing, and discussion forums. The Advanced Distance Learning group, sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, has created a set of specifications called Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) to encourage the standardization of learning management systems. The LMS software performs a variety of functions related to online and in-person training administration and provides additional tools which support career development, competency and talent management. The systems are web-based to facilitate "anytime, any place, any pace" access to training content and administration.

COMPONENTS OF LMS

There is no standard industry definition or published standard defining the components of an LMS, but several features are common:

• Creation of class rosters, control over registration processes, and the ability to create waiting lists.
• Upload and management of documents containing curricular content.
• Delivery of course content over web-based interfaces, most often allowing remote participation by the instructor or pupil.
• Creation and publication of course calendars.
• Interaction between and among students, such as instant messaging, email, and discussion forums.
• Methods of assessment and testing (like creating pop quizzes).

LMS systems used in corporate training environments often have additional features that satisfy goals relating to knowledge management and performance evaluation, such as:

• Automatic enrollment and reminders for mandatory courses.
• Options for manager access, such as to approve materials or participation.
• Integration with human resource systems for tracking employment eligibility, performance goals, and similar corporate priorities.
• Control over access and class groupings according to a number of metrics, such as geography, involvement in a particular project, or levels of security clearance.

ADVANTAGES OF AN LMS

Like many information technology innovations from the past few decades, LMS software is able to add a level of efficiency to companies’ learning systems, with a number of other benefits emerging as well, such as:

• Easily adapting and reusing materials over time.
• More choices for creators of curriculum, such as method of delivery, design of materials, and techniques for evaluation.
• Creating economies of scale that make it less costly for organizations to develop and maintain content for which they used to rely on third parties.
• Improvements in professional development and evaluation, allowing companies to get more value from human resources while empowering individuals with additional tools for self-improvement.

E-LEARNING ANIMATION

E-LEARNING CONSIDERATIONS

Equipment – How many of your staff already have the tools required to undertake eLearning? If you will need to provide a number of devices for your staff than it may well increase the cost per delegate beyond the other methods. However if the amount of devices you need to supply is minimal, than it could be the option for you.

Staff Computer Skills – How many of the learners are skilled with computers? eLearning can be daunting for those that are at beginners levels and as mentioned before, can demotivate them to use it. Therefore make sure that your learners are happy to learn this way before making that final decision.

Organisation – It may seem tempting to dedicate less time to the organisation of eLearning due to the fact staff don’t need time off, there is no set time or location and no equipment and trainer to get there but do not underestimate how much needs to be done. Deadlines need to be routinely organised for each individual employee, progress regularly monitored, queries always catered for and targets made. If not, the lack of control will lead to learners in a wide spectrum of abilities and progress within the course and ultimately money being wasted gauging at what point staff are.

Variance – Just like with the other 2 methods, it is important to mix it up. Do not just choose one method and always discount the others when doing more training – each method will suit different situations better. e-Learning in particular was identified in the CIPD Learning and Talent Development 2013 report as being most effective when supplemented by the other training choices. So make sure you mix it up to enjoy the benefits of all the styles.

E-LEARNING TRAINING (ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES)

The Advantages of E-Learning training includes:

More Flexible – E-Learning can be done in short chunks of time that can fit around your daily schedule. Unlike public scheduled and in-house training, you don’t have to dedicate an entire day to the training that has been organised by your company. Instead, you will have a set amount of learning, normally divided into modules, with a deadline in which to do them in. This way, if you want to do all of the learning in one day as you work better this way, you can. However if your schedule doesn't allow you an entire day off your everyday tasks – then you can easily spend an hour or 2 here and there at times that suit you.

Mobile – As e-Learning can be done on laptops, tablets and phones – it is a very mobile method. Learning can be done on the train, on a plane or any other time that could normally be wasted. Whilst you used to be confined to the classroom, the whole world can now be your classroom.

No Travel– As just mentioned, e-Learning can be done wherever you have a device capable of doing so. Therefore again you can fit it in to your schedule, but also save money on the costs of travel. As mentioned before on the public scheduled blog, external courses can sometimes only be sourced in locations far away from your company so you then have to pay the costs of travel as well potentially accommodation. e-Learning takes these costs away completely.

Lower cost – As you aren't using a trainer’s time or any room or equipment, e-Learning tends to be the much cheaper option. If you already have a device capable of carrying out the training on, then the savings can be considerable. Therefore if you and your company are on a budget, this can be the ideal option for you.  Equally for companies that have thousands of employees then it can reduce the cost per head especially on areas such as Money Laundering, Compliance and Microsoft Office training.

Tailor it to you – e-Learning courses aren't confined to be fixed to try and suit the needs of the majority. If you feel you already know a particular area well and don’t need to spend an hour on it again, then you can skim over it and concentrate that time on something you feel you need to work more at. Everyone is able to learn at their own pace – a massive factor that only e-Learning can provide for.

Technological Possibilities – e-Learning is fast becoming a more and more popular method and with it, so has the investment into how to improve it further. The computer based nature of training means new technology is being introduced all the time to help with the learning. Different apps are helping to further reinforce the learning whilst forums can be used to greatly increase the amount of interaction and engagement between learners. This is only going to improve as time goes on as well.

Global – With very few restrictions companies can be confident that their staff can receive the same content regardless of their location, and in many cases, their nationality.  Therefore if you wish to provide the same training or have your staff understand and use common methodology, e-Learning is a useful way of ensuring this happens with ease and reduced cost. 

The Disadvantages of e-Learning Training includes:

Lack of Control– Learners with low motivation tend to fall behind when using e-Learning as there are no set times to be doing it and they are responsible for the organisation themselves. A lack of routine or fixed schedule can mean eLearning becomes complicated with various deadlines often given to different people at different stages of their learning.

Learning Approach – It doesn't appeal to all learning styles so some learners will not enjoy the experience – especially strong activists and pragmatists.  It is still a challenge to make e-Learning appeal fully to these groups as different people learn better or worse using different styles. Some may prefer images, some prefer just reading words and some prefer to talk about or actually do a task in order to learn.

Isolated – A lot of questions are a lot easily answered when face to face with someone when you can guarantee an instant answer. e-Learning often doesn't allow that with trainers often having to answer numerous questions all of the time and only doing it within working hours – where a lot of learners may prefer to do their learning out of working hours. This feeling of isolation can often demotivate individuals as they feel they don’t have the support and reassurance that the physical presence of a trainer provides.

Technology Issues – With heavy reliance on computers that e-Learning brings, comes the potential risks that comes with it. Firstly, you need to ensure that all learners have a device that is able to support the training modules. Some e-Learning tools require software such as Flash that devices like iPads don’t support. So all requirements need to be set out at the beginning. Poor internet connection and unavoidable general random faults also can interrupt learning

and so need to be planned around.  This is especially true if it is a global roll out as Internet connections and power reliability changes dramatically between countries.

Computer Competency – Some employees might not be too comfortable using computers, especially if their jobs don’t require them to. Therefore even if the software is user friendly, the very idea of using the software can be daunting and demotivating for some. Therefore these employees are likely to learn a lot less than they would from a physical course.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING

Advantages of online or computer-based learning

• Class work can be scheduled around work and family
• Reduces travel time and travel costs for off-campus students
• Students may have the option to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest
• Students can study anywhere they have access to a computer and Internet connection
• Self-paced learning modules allow students to work at their own pace
• Flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin board threaded discussion areas at any hour, or visit with classmates and instructors remotely in chat rooms
• Instructors and students both report eLearning fosters more interaction among students and instructors than in large lecture courses
• eLearning can accommodate different learning styles and facilitate learning through a variety of activities
• Develops knowledge of the Internet and computers skills that will help learners throughout their lives and careers
• Successfully completing online or computer-based courses builds self-knowledge and self-confidence and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning
• Learners can test out of or skim over materials already mastered and concentrate efforts in mastering areas containing new information and/or skills

Disadvantages of online or computer-based learning

• Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind
• Without the routine structures of a traditional class, students may get lost or confused about course activities and deadlines
• Students may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates
• Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help
• Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course materials frustrating
• Managing computer files and online learning software can sometimes seem complex for students with beginner-level computer skills
• Hands-on or lab work is difficult to simulate in a virtual classroom

BLENDED E-LEARNING

          

          Blended E-Learning, also known as Hybrid Courses, combine E-Learning with more traditional learning traditions. They still largely teach in a classroom environment, amount of time spent in a class is largely dependant on course content, with student group work and discussions but also maintain a large amount of student and classroom activities electronically.

           Assignments are given in class but accessed on the web allowing them to be done anywhere with a computer and internet connection while still having a deadline and schedule. Discussion boards are available for students to discuss the days lessons and collaborate on ideas.

          This approach can also be beneficial to institutions with limited class space as only the lessons that require face to face with teachers are conducted within a classroom. Students can do the majority of the work in a place that is more comfortable or convenient and at a time that is more suited to their individual needs. 

SYNCHRONOUS VS ASYNCHRONOUS

     

          

Synchronous VS Asynchronous

Synchronous

          Synchronous learning is multiple students learning at the same time but not necesarilly in the same physical location. This learning places all students in the same Virtual location with a teacher such as Skype chat rooms and virtual classrooms. This approach can be helpful in that as discussions and teaching is progressing in “virtual person” questions and confusion may arise with explanations and solutions much closer than the average wait time of email communications. Students and teachers are also able to keep a much detailed record of the lesson, topics and discussion presented in these virtual lessons which can be much more accurate and detailed than notes taken in a classroom.

          This approach to E-Learning is perhaps the closest full technology type of E-Learning to a traditional classroom but has the drawback of greater interruption to service. If a power loss or internet connectivity dropout occurs a student (or, should this happen to a teacher, the entire class) may miss out on important information for their studies and will not have the option to read through what they missed without the assistance of another classmate or teacher (unlike the discussion board approach which will be connected in one of the next few blogs).

Asynchronous

          The second type of E-Learning, the one we are going to visit today is Asynchronous E-Learning. This type of E-Learning is particularly best for students who have specific time concerns and chaotic timetables/schedules in life. This type is what i like to refer to as the stop and go learning. It mainly uses technologies such as email and forum/discussion boards for collaboration and website based exercises that can be paused and resumed when time permits.

          This approach can be very useful to those learning while on travelling as it allows for the possibility of network and technical problems without fear of missing out on lessons and information. It also allows for students to study when they feel most comfortable and relaxed which can lead to better results than in an environment that may cause stress or anxiety such as a classroom. Lessons can be delivered in multiple formats and offered in as many as can be created as these lessons are not in “virtual person” which also allows them to be gone over as many times as the students needs to assimilate and understand the information provided.

          The use of discussion boards as opposed to class gatherings can be beneficial in that discussions can be picked up long after they have started and are open to all with ideas to contribute. However this approach does not promote the same student relationship building as other methods. On an alternate note however it does remove some of the fear that may come from meeting new people in person that some students may feel.

          In short Asynchronous E-Learning is a much longer time framed learning with regards to student questions and confusion with the use of “Time lagged” question and answer(email and discussion boards) where the response could take anywhere between 5 minutes and 2 days depend on the recipients time table.

TYPES OF E-LEARNING

          For years, many people thought that creating an e-learning course was just the matter of taking an old PowerPoint presentation and publishing it in a fancy player. Over time though, e-learning began to evolve into something far more effective.

Truth is, different contexts drive different requirements for e-learning. Some situations may just need a basic course, while others need nothing less than an advanced, interactive module presenting the content in a variety of ways.

While e-learning varies across a large spectrum, in general your e-learning course is likely to fall into one of the following three types:

1. Text Driven

In this level, the content is simple and includes text, graphics, some audio, and simple test questions. Compliance courses are a good example of text driven e-learning that usually has one purpose or goal: present the learning and quickly test on the content.

The text driven course rarely has any interactive components, no gamification, and images used sparingly. PowerPoint files converted to e-learning often fall into this category.

2. Interactive

An interactive e-learning course is very similar to a text driven one, with the exception that there has been more consideration placed on interactive components to enhance the learning. There is also a greater use of visuals in general (graphics, charts, diagrams), all of which are likely to have an interactive aspect.

Unlike the text driven course, interactive courses also take advantage of additional media types, include videos.

3. Simulation

Simulation e-learning is highly interactive and relies heavily upon graphics, video, audio and some level of gamification. Importantly, there are often custom simulations to aid in learning acquisition, which could very well include 3D components. New software training is an example of a course that often includes a high degree of interactivity and simulations. It isn't uncommon for these simulations to also be accompanied with some sort of controlled “test” environment.

E-learning that is simulation heavy puts an emphasis on portraying concepts through various mediums, usually starting with text and graphics, with audio, and video examples. Afterwards, there is often a “try-it” mode where users can practice the new skills, potentially earning achievements or points along the way.

DEFINITION OF E-LEARNING

       

       E-learning is a new education concept by using the Internet technology, it deliveries the digital content, provides a learner-orient environment for the teachers and students. The e-learning promotes the construction of life-long learning opinions and learning society. It means:

1. E-learning is a new education concept; it may different from the old educational concept. We should provide a new explanation to this new concept.

2. Delivery of the digital content is the main characters of e-learning. We can tell what is e-learning and what is not.

3. This definition extends the environment on the Internet. We mean that the Internet provides a learning environment for the students and teachers. This environment is learner-oriented, so we can throw out the thoughts of traditionally teacher-center's instruction in classroom.

4. As a new concept of education, e-learning gives a condition for us to realize the life-long learning principle and help us to build a more real learning society.

       As a new education system, it has been developed fast in china, But I think the development progress is different form the western countries. The e-learning plays more in high education for the reason of fast need of high education. 

E-LEARNING GADGETS

      

       In this era it has been shown that student is more interested in using technology as a medium of education. This will affect students' approaches to learning and the quality of the learning outcomes. In order to achieve the main aims of modern education, powerful learning environments are designed. 

       Flashnotes, Lore and LEAP Motion is the example of latest gadgets and gizmos in new technology education. It is the platform where effective teaching and learning can be promoted. The learning environment is shifting away from the traditional classroom and paper-based correspondence learning to synchronous and asynchronous virtual classrooms that may or may not use the face-to-face environment as a place of learning. 

Top 5 Gadgets for E-Learning

1. Smart Phones. No matter how you slice it, smart phones are here to stay. These little devices are both a blessing and a curse for teachers and the parents the world over. Some decry their existence, saying that they are cutting kids off from each other and the social structure and skills that they need in order to grow into productive, strong, and confident adults. However, smart phones also connect students to e-textbooks, online groups, videos that teachers can have them view for educational purposes, and much more. Smart phones are compact and are usually taken everywhere the kids are, so they are one of the best gadgets for e-learning.
2. Flash Drives. Those small thumb drives (or flash drives, if you will) come in a variety of designs and styles and can actually look like anything, but they can store a wealth of information. Students can go over a lesson in the classroom, download their notes and other information onto the thumb drive, and then head home where they can open it up on their own laptop or desktop, never missing a beat. Unless they lose the flash drive, they have no excuse for ‘forgetting’ their homework at school.
3. Speech Recognition Software. Programs like LiveScribe and DragonSpeak have revolutionized the way adults and even students alike can make notes and have them transferred to a word processor. When used in a classroom (with teacher permission, of course), the student can focus on the lesson, rather than trying to take notes, and then go home and have those notes transcribed for them from the audio recording. This allows a new way for students to focus on the material, rather than just trying to keep up.
4. Reading Pens. Using a reading pen can be a great tool for students who have trouble learning how to pronounce certain words or simply don’t know the definition. Of course, going to the bookshelf and grabbing a dictionary isn’t a very tough process, but when reading with a reading pen, the student can simply pass the pen over the word or words that he or she doesn’t understand and can hear what the word is and find the definition easily.
5. Tablets. Similar to smart phones, tablets differ in a number of ways. One of the most important ways is their size and speed. Tablets are ideal for reading and watching videos that won’t create eye strain for the student. Another benefit to tablets is that most of them feature an in-board camera that allows the user to connect through a video conference option. This can allow students to be engaged with a classroom while not actually being there, as long as there is an accommodation in the classroom.