What is an LMS?

If you're new to the Human Resources or Learning and Development department, you might be encountering an acronym that keeps popping up - LMS. Or, if you've recently joined a medium or large business, you might have received an email from the HR representative, asking you to log onto the company's LMS for some mandatory training.

If you're quickly searching the internet right now to find out "what does LMS mean” we can help you! This guide is here to clear all your doubts and answer your questions.

In this article, we'll explore Learning Management Systems (LMS) in an easy-to-understand way. We'll look at what an LMS is, what it can do, and the advantages it offers for education and training. Plus, we'll give you tips on how to choose the right LMS wisely.

What is a Learning Management System?

An LMS is a digital platform that facilitates the hosting, sharing and tracking of various training programs online. It’s a versatile solution that bridges the gap between traditional and modern learning practices and serves as the educational backbone for a range of institutions from academic to corporate. 

How does an LMS work?

There are two sides to explore in an LMS: the admin view and the learner view. 

Admin View: The admin view grants LMS managers access to a range of features. They can efficiently handle learner records, manage training courses, and track and report on learner progress. At the heart of every LMS lies a database of employee records, allowing managers to assign and monitor training for everyone. The LMS also hosts digital training courses, usually in the form of SCORM files, and may even enable scheduling live training events. By using the admin view, LMS managers can track employee progress, including assessment results, and run reports to demonstrate compliance and enhance training quality.

Learner View: On the other side, the learner view is what employees see when logging into their LMS portal. A dashboard displays the courses assigned to them, and they may have the option to view and request access to additional training. When learning is assigned, employees often receive email notifications with important information, including due dates. Learners can log in, launch, and complete their assigned training, with the flexibility to save, exit, and resume later. They can also track their course progress and receive email reminders if training is not completed by the due date.

Who manages the LMS?

In a company, the responsibility for managing an LMS can vary based on its size. In very small companies, an LMS might not be present due to the cost involved.  Medium-sized businesses often assign the task of LMS management to a general HR representative, as it falls within the scope of Human Resources. Large companies typically divide their HR department into sub-departments to better handle diverse HR responsibilities. In such cases, a specialised learning and development (L&D) professional usually takes charge of the LMS. For very large enterprises, a dedicated LMS specialist often becomes part of the L&D team, solely responsible for managing the LMS.

What are the advantages of a Learning Management System?

• Providing a personalised learning experience by tailoring the pace of education to each individual.
• Ensures consistency through an online central repository of training material that delivers a uniform learning experience, irrespective of the day or venue.
• Centralised learning material means learners no longer need to navigate multiple resources - all course content is available on a single platform. 
• Tracking and reporting capabilities ensure learners receive real-time feedback, enhancing the learning process. 
• Digitalising the learning by implementing an LMSs can be a more cost-effective solution to training by reducing the cost of a trainer, time away from the workplace for staff being trained and the expense of a classroom and travel costs.
• Offering scalability with the capability of an LMS to effortlessly adapt to growth scenarios, like the addition of seasonal workers or the inauguration of a new venue.

LMSs may also be integrated with other software, with the primary aim of such to streamline processes, reduce manual data entry, and provide a more comprehensive, efficient learning experience.

How do you choose a Learning Management System?

When considering an LMS, prioritise functionality over flashy features that may be unnecessary distractions. Look for core features like hosting, distribution, tracking, and reporting, along with any additional ones crucial to your business.

Seek an LMS with a clean and user-friendly interface, as both LMS managers and learners will be spending significant time on it, making an enjoyable user experience vital.

Choose an LMS that is within the right budget for your organisation. Keep in mind that LMSs can vary in prices, with implementation fees and yearly subscriptions based on the number of learners and features.

As you embark on your LMS selection journey, remember the insights from this guide, and make the most of the potential that an LMS, like Allara Global LMS, offers. 

Embrace the power of digital education today and shape a promising learning future.