{"id":1784,"date":"2015-02-18T10:09:17","date_gmt":"2015-02-18T10:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.efrontlearning.net\/?p=1784"},"modified":"2015-02-18T16:12:15","modified_gmt":"2015-02-18T16:12:15","slug":"lms-essential-online-learning-tool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html","title":{"rendered":"LMS: The Essential Online Learning Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-classic-wrap\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.efrontlearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2033\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.efrontlearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning.jpg\" alt=\"mlearning\" width=\"700\" height=\"726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning.jpg 666w, https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning-289x300.jpg 289w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There isn&#8217;t any doubt that we are living in a technological age. Each day, people utilize their computers and mobile devices to stay connected and expand their knowledge. As such, elearning has been on the rise in recent years, and an increasing number of students are beginning to see the benefits that this convenient and invaluable educational resource can offer. However, elearning would probably not be possible without one key tool:\u00a0the LMS. <b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>Why\u00a0are learning management systems\u00a0so important to education?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An LMS (or Learning Management System) is a package that enables students to receive learning content and educational resources to continue their educational endeavors online. In essence, the LMS is the system that establishments can use to offer their online virtual courses. It typically boasts a wide range of essential features, such as the capability to enroll new students, deliver elearning courses and educational content, and manage the tests that are provided to the student.<\/p>\n<p>Learning Management Systems also enable students to learn anywhere, at any time. Therefore, even those who may not have time for traditional learning can benefit from these\u00a0courses. Students can complete and deliver coursework and track\u00a0their progress. Also, it enables the elearning provider the ability to manage class rosters and interact directly with their virtual pupils.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h1><b>What are the benefits of an LMS? <\/b><\/h1>\n<p>There are a wide range of advantages that are commonly associated with a Learning Management System, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enables\u00a0documents, such as course materials and tests to be uploaded and reused\u00a0over an infinite period of time.<\/li>\n<li>Allows\u00a0teachers and curriculum designers to deliver content to students\u00a0almost instantaneously and evaluate the completed work based upon their\u00a0preferred grading techniques.<\/li>\n<li>Gives\u00a0students the power to track their work, as well as keep an up-to-date\u00a0calendar of assignments and tests.<\/li>\n<li>Enables\u00a0students to have access to courses whenever they like rather than based\u00a0upon a set schedule. Therefore learners are able to learn at their own pace and get the most out of their education.<\/li>\n<li>Allows companies to maximize their human resources by using an LMS to\u00a0track employees&#8217; development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>LMS can lower the cost and increase the productivity of companies offering training, since it streamlines the content delivery process and serves as a foundation upon which they can build their virtual learning institution. Ultimately, an LMS is the software that will enable students and teachers or subject matter experts (SME) from all walks of life to create a brighter educational future.<\/p>\n<h1><b>Types of learning management systems <\/b><\/h1>\n<p>There are quite a few online learning management systems to choose from. While each has its own set of advantages (for example <a href=\"http:\/\/www.efrontlearning.net\" target=\"_blank\">eFront<\/a> being most suited towards enterprises), elearning providers will often find that one particular LMS is better suited to their needs. Here are the three main types of learning management systems:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Proprietary<\/strong><b>&#8211; <\/b>though still in use, this type is slowly being phased out,\u00a0given that is centered around computer based training systems alone. Also, it doesn&#8217;t allow users to easily import or export curriculum components or\u00a0coursework.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Standard based<\/strong><b>&#8211; <\/b>this is the most popular form today. It\u00a0allows for easy distribution of content and incorporates many new\u00a0technologies that the proprietary ones cannot. It relies heavily on SCORM\u00a0(sharable content objects), which means that students and instructors\u00a0alike have quick and convenient access to coursework, curriculum and\u00a0research documents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Open Architecture<\/strong><b>&#8211; <\/b>this type allows for easy sharing of\u00a0contents and curriculum between other LMS systems. An open architecture also involves a more lengthy set up and design process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are also other considerations to take into account when choosing your LMS. Commercially\u00a0based or free. If you opt for commercially\u00a0based, then there are two primary options: installed and\u00a0cloud based. Though commercially based ones\u00a0cost more, you are provided with access to support staff and generally are offered more enhanced features and no\u00a0bugs. <b><\/b><\/p>\n<h1><strong>What are the key features of an LMS? <\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>While the industry standard for each of the Learning Management Systems that have been mentioned can greatly vary, there are a few key elements which virtually all systems\u00a0include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ability\u00a0to create class rosters and waiting lists<\/li>\n<li>Facilitates the online class registration process<\/li>\n<li>Stores\u00a0and delivers documents that are essential to the core curriculum<\/li>\n<li>Offers\u00a0a web interface, in which the instructor and student can interact, via\u00a0email and discussion forums<\/li>\n<li>Creates course calendars and class reminders<\/li>\n<li>Allows for simple and straightforward assessments\u00a0and testing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>LMS is\u00a0the future of education and offers both students and elearning providers alike the ability to deliver or receive content that can further educate them.<\/p>\n<p>With each type of these\u00a0systems, students can\u00a0simply log in to an easy\u00a0to use web interface and begin expanding their knowledge, as well as\u00a0interact with instructors who may very well be located half a world away.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There isn&#8217;t any doubt that we are living in a technological age. Each day, people utilize their computers and mobile devices to stay connected and expand their knowledge. As such, elearning has been on the rise in recent years, and an increasing number of students are beginning to see the benefits that this convenient and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33872,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[44],"class_list":["post-1784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-elearning","tag-lms"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.2 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>LMS: The Essential Online Learning Tool - eFront Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the benefits of an LMS, what to look for in an LMS, their types and their key features, along with how important these systems are to education.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LMS: The Essential Online Learning Tool\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn the benefits of an LMS, what to look for in an LMS, their types and their key features, along with how important these systems are to education.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"eFront Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-02-18T10:09:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2015-02-18T16:12:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.efrontlearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nikos Andriotis\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nikos Andriotis\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nikos Andriotis\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ad73fe0df3ce823020fd1b37d39b1490\"},\"headline\":\"LMS: The Essential Online Learning Tool\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-02-18T10:09:17+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2015-02-18T16:12:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\"},\"wordCount\":813,\"commentCount\":6,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/blog.efrontlearning.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/mlearning.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"LMS\"],\"articleSection\":[\"eLearning\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.efrontlearning.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/lms-essential-online-learning-tool.html\",\"name\":\"LMS: The Essential Online Learning Tool - 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