5 Best Practices For LMS Implementation

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