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LMS Tools: Four Ways to Improve E-Learning Delivery

Synchronous e-learning (the virtual classroom) seems similar to instruction face-to-face; however, the similarity can be deceptive. Both the designer and the instructor must be aware of the information they lose when teaching online and they must have strategies for offsetting the loss.

Many organizations are incorporating the use of a learning management system (LMS) into their training portfolio. An LMS software package enables the management and delivery of instructor-led training content online. Most LMS tools on the market are Web-based to facilitate a 24 hour access to learning new business or training content and full e-learning administration.

In this article, let’s explore four ways e-learning using an LMS tool can help improve your bottom line.

Method Number One: Provide Multi-Sensory Learning Research has proven that people learn in different ways. Therefore, instructors must recognize that they need to present students with multiple teaching mediums for the student to be successful. These mediums should incorporate visual, auditory and kinesthetic sensory inputs to optimize content absorption by the student. Each learner then uses one of these inputs as their primary method of learning while the additional inputs are used as reinforcements.

The benefit of multi-sensory learning is that there is a significant reduction in the learner’s total study time by accelerating retention and improving recall of the program material. Some examples of multi-sensory learning applications in the online environment include, mentoring with technical advisers, online and off-line books, lecture notes, interactive simulations and collaborative exercises.

Method Number Two: Make Learning Interactive Another way to ensure your organization is utilizing the LMS to its fullest potential and that you are delivering education and training opportunities that will stick with the participants is to make the learning interactive.

Course designers need to design content to be as engaging as possible. Based on your budget and bandwidth, choose among video, audio, digital photos, animations, drawings and clip art to capture the learner’s attention. Involve the learner through thought provoking questions, case studies, surveys, analogies, quizzes and tests.

Another important factor in keeping the learning interactive is to include real world examples, photos, sample documents, charts, and interviews to make the educational content relevant to the student’s job.

Finally, you need to build in practice time as each new concept is presented. Include a few assessment questions after each major concept to test for understanding throughout, not just at the end. One successful tool is to create case studies or scenarios in which learners are asked to apply the knowledge and skills learned rather than just demonstrating recall.

Method Number Three: Support The Learners Many organizations fail to use their LMS to its fullest capacity. Typically, the LMS has loads of functionality that can help an organization support the learners in their quest to gain relevant education for their career.

For example, your LMS can send immediate confirmation when a learner enrolls in a course and the e-mail can include any technical details needed to get started, in addition to information about the required timeframe for course completion.

Another way to support the learner is to identify who they should call or e-mail regarding technical problems, course questions and feedback.

Many organizations will support the learner by assigning a mentor who follows up and is available to assist with questions or problems. The mentor could be a previous graduate of the course, a subject matter expert or a super-user within the department who has mastered the task, skills or knowledge presented in the course. Create a database of mentors within your LMS for use in future courses.

Method Number Four: Monitor and Report The Results One of the greatest advantages of your LMS is the ability to review training statistics daily or weekly to see if your projections are being met. For example, you can use your LMS to compare the number of course registrations to completions.

If you are recognizing negative trends during your analysis, you could survey learners via phone or e-mail to identify obstacles that prevented them from starting or completing a course. You may discover problems with the software, scheduling issues, work demands, course not meeting needs and so forth. You can then use this information to make immediate course changes or change the schedule.

Continually evaluating your training and online learning is essential for success. To help you ensure your organization is living up to its potential, contact Learn.com, the world leader in on-demand workforce development and productivity. Join some of the world’s most successful organizations who use Learn.com’s tools to produce more effective, efficient and organized learning systems. Contact Learn.com today to help get on track with your LMS and e-learning initiatives!