Learning Management System: How eLearning Platforms Revolutionized The Learning Industry

Introduction

In today’s technologically advanced world, it is no surprise that anything that is leveraged by technology is much more convenient and quite literally an upgraded version of its conventional state. Even if we are to talk about learning in general, it is better with the addition of technology, and the difference is not just big, it is revolutionary as the convenience and ease of access offered by eLearning platforms has shifted the way people approach and view education.

With the introduction of digital systems that have been developed to aid people in learning, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, as long as you have access to the internet, you will be able to learn absolutely anything, which is exactly the purpose of Learning Management Systems.

Let’s dive in and get to understand Learning Management Systems (LMS) in depth and capture its contributive importance in order to come to a conclusion of how the presence of eLearning platforms really affects the world and where it is most likely headed.

What is LMS?

Defining its Importance

The importance of Learning Management Systems (LMS) or eLearning platforms is unparalleled as the impact it has on a global scale is awe spiring. It has completely transformed the idea of learning and has brought about a brand new way to access exclusive educational materials with simply a click of a button, which would not have been possible otherwise.

The most important aspect is that learning platforms can be accessed anywhere, at any time of the day, making it utmostly convenient for users to learn at their own pace. The flexibility of learning is through the roof, and users are encouraged to learn via the platform as it is designed to keep them engaged with the help of features which allow learners to track their progress and learn effectively.

On top of that, users are provided with personalized learning experiences by the platform, making sure that learners receive content and support that fits their unique learning needs, objectives and preferences.

eLearning platforms have been developed for the sole purpose of eliminating the need of having to attend physical classrooms for the sake of learning, which opens up more opportunities for people to learn, not to mention how cost-effective this method of learning is, which makes it all the more accessible. 

To put it into perspective, LMS platforms make it possible for educational institutions or individual teachers to publish educational materials based on a certain subject in order to teach the people who are willing to learn it in the most convenient, efficient and cost-effective manner. With the help of this amazing technology, people are now capable of learning just about anything without the absolute necessity to attend schools or universities.

Key Functions of eLearning Software

The major and vital functions of a robust LMS are the aspects which essentially make the task of both teachers and students much more simplified. Teaching and learning are made easy with the help of these key features as it amplifies productivity by great margins for both parties through the convenience provided by the system. Below are some of the primary features usually present in a reliable LMS platform.

Course Management

The Course Management feature allows instructors to create and manage courses, modules, and lessons without any hassle. This feature is paramount as it makes uploading course content such as documents, videos, quizzes, and assignments possible, making it convenient for both teachers to publish educational content on the platform and for students to access it accordingly.

Assessment and Evaluation

With the existence of the assessment and evaluation aspect for LMS platforms, teachers are capable of grading students on their assignments, quizzes and overall performance throughout a specific course. This feature is fundamental, as without it, teachers will be unable to give feedback on the students’ performance, limiting the scope of improvement for students. 

Content Management

The Content Management feature is critical for effective delivery, tracking, organizing, and storing of educational content. This feature guarantees that educational material is accessible and can be interacted with by learners on the platform. A series of tasks and functionalities have to be involved in order for relevant content to be accessed and successfully managed, and this aspect allows instructors to provide high-quality and interactive content to learners, maximizing the learning experience within the LMS platform. 

Progress Tracking

Students are capable of keeping track of their progress on the platform for self-development purposes, as well as the instructors, who then utilize this information to provide constructive feedback in the form of quiz grades, assignment grades, and overall engagement reports to the students to help them grow and improve. Progress tracking is essential for effective learning within the platform for the steady improvement of students and for instructors to accurately assess learning progress.

Communication and Collaboration

Establishing a feature which allows for seamless communication to take place within the system is integral in order for the platform to keep users engaged and well-informed. This feature nourishes the platform by keeping it active as well as birthing a sense of community via social interactions. Learners can communicate with instructors through discussion forums, while also participating in group projects and team-based learning activities, all of which keep learners informed and increase engagement. 

Mobile Compatibility

In the modern day and age, software with mobile compatibility is absolutely mandatory in order to achieve optimum user experience and platform engagement. As we all know, mobile devices are ubiquitous; everyone uses mobile devices. An LMS platform having mobile compatibility effectively translates to users being able to access the system anytime and anywhere. Having a responsive design for seamless user experience on smartphones and tablets can prove to be a real winner and focally important, especially for eLearning platforms.