Last week, we learned how distance learning evolved from snail mail to high-speed Internet over a 250-year time period. We are no longer learning shorthand through writing letters to far-away friends or listening to radio broadcasts for college credit. The world of online learning is huge, and now anyone who wants to teach anything can do so! People can create courses in order to help others and share their expert knowledge. However, in order to ensure your learners understand what you are trying to convey, your course needs to include several important elements:
- Appropriate pacing
- Multimedia integration
- Quality content
- Self-directed learning
- A class community
- Clear navigation
- Reliable technology
Using an LMS, or Learning Management System, can help you achieve several of these elements. But what is an LMS? Who uses one? And why is it important?
LMS Defined
As we previously stated, LMS stands for Learning Management System. The “learning” portion refers to the delivery of content to class participants. The “management” portion entails the organization of class participants and their results. Finally, “system” is just another word for “software”!
Who’s It For?
While anyone can use an LMS, it is most commonly used by businesses for training purposes, or schools for their students. However, a growing number of entrepreneurs are using LMS platforms to share their knowledge with others. For a fee, anyone can learn the sales methods and systems of people who have made a considerable amount of money doing what they do best!
Why LMS?
Learning Management System platforms have many different features that benefit both the learner and the instructor. These features can include:
- Course creation
- Writing exams
- Exporting results
- Tracking progress
- Inviting users
- Integrating third-party tools
There are many different options for LMS systems out there, so next week, we will begin to take a look at what type of LMS platform is right for your purposes!