
Maximize the use of the features of a learning management system (LMS) by considering the best practices indicated in the following guidelines on using an LMS.
LMS Best Practices: When Looking for a Provider
When looking for an LMS provider, follow these best practices for evaluation.
- Consider the time to deploy and train.
- Look at flexibility, ability to customize, and reporting capabilities.
- Keep in mind ease of use.
- Realize a cloud-based system can lessen your IT’s department burden.
- Demo the system.
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LMS Best Practices: When Instructors Use the LMS
Instructors should follow these best practices for using an LMS.
- Organize well and direct students to key documents.
- Keep the course space clear so students can easily find the syllabus and course schedule.
- Clearly name documents.
- Use announcements effectively.
- Use tools such as discussion boards to build community.
- Complete the training.
LMS Best Practices: For Continuous Improvement
Best practices for continuous improvement include evaluating:
- ease of registration and navigation
- training and help
- resolution of technical issues
- completion rate of online courses
- overall user satisfaction
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LMS Best Practices: For Project Management
Classic project management techniques can add to the success of your LMS and include:
- Start with the project sponsor and approved project charter
- Identify critical elements to the project charter
- Remember to manage by objective
- Use a project plan
- Remember inclusion and the perspective of others
- Understand the project process that includes initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close
Follow these best practices in project management:
- Know the role of the sponsor, advocates, project manager, change manager, and vendors.
- Keep up good communication to all parties involved including the end users.
- Involve all parties early to help with buy-in and implementation.
- Evaluate your product and implement improvements.
LMS Best Practices: For Administrators
Keep these practices in mind to address administrator issues.
- Track and report on training activity
- Provide online testing
- Associate required training modules with annual certifications
- Create pre-requisite training
- Capture on-line and instructor-based training
- Provide managers with access to training activity for their direct reports
- Link to training records in an HR system
Read More: Best Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Some LMS system providers to consider
Some of the open-source systems include Moodle and WebWork. Some of the commercial LMS providers include JoomlaLMS, ProProfs, Saba Software, SAP, SharePointLMS, and Blackboard – the biggest provider. As an example of what is available, consider that ProProfs is a provider that offers the Training Maker product. This type of product can:
- include the benefits of a cloud-based SaaS (software as a service) system that can work for a group that has a smaller IT department
- provide online learning software to companies such as Cisco and Dell and educators in schools that include Harvard, Yale, and the University of Phoenix
- give you a chance to try a free demo
- let you add media, quizzes, and certificates
- allow for reporting and analytics
- help you create online courses
- provide a list of client recommendations
- allow for anywhere and anytime access
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