November 25, 2021

Choosing the right learning management system for you

Learning management systems are not all made equal. While some learning management systems are appropriate for specific organizations and schools, they might not be the best fit for your online learning needs. Before you begin evaluating examples of learning management systems for schools, it's important to understand the criteria for selecting the best LMS.

Why do you need a LMS?

Educational platforms and LMS are digital tools that assist in the creation, adoption, administration, distribution, and management of e-learning training activities. They serve as a supplement to classroom learning.

Because 21st-century educational approaches have evolved and are now more personalized and interactive, when schools invest in a LMS, they elevate the classroom experience. Learning management systems allow students to get an overview of their work, organize their tasks and have access to virtual classrooms and multimedia content.

How does a learning management system work?

A LMS not only improves teacher efficiency, but it also broadens the scope of what they can achieve. A teacher can chat with students using a LMS while viewing the same data (e.g., assignments), allowing for more effective student learning and development. A LMS can measure student time on projects, notify educators regarding impending concerns, and provide real-time information related to student performance.

A learning management system emphasizes the personalization of learning for students by teachers. While diversified learning is a wonderful concept, educators in traditional classrooms rapidly feel weary planning specific, nuanced courses for each topic. A learning management system (LMS) makes customized learning possible.

Why is a LMS beneficial for education and schools?

Many secondary and higher education institutions have been experimenting with learning management systems (LMS) in recent years, which have undergone major structural, functional, and efficiency modifications. This technology supports schools in developing, implementing, administering, disseminating, and controlling all aspects of online education.

Due to the prolonged school closures caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, traditional teaching methods have been limited, pushing schools to adapt and leverage technological tools. Here are key benefits schools can get from online LMS learning:

Easy Implementation

A learning management system is a technological tool that is simple to set up in schools and institutions. It connects all academic programs, study guides, and training modules in one place. Instead of being spread over multiple hard drives and devices, all of your eLearning resources are kept in one place. It reduces the risk of data loss and simplifies content management.

Easy Access to eLearning Content

Learners have unrestricted access to data once it has been added to a LMS. Students can readily access the information from any internet-connected device. Classroom schedules are not constrained by traditional school hours. Extra lessons can be organized after school, making it convenient for both teachers and students.

Track Student Learning

A cloud LMS can help you keep track of your students' progress on an online course. By viewing a learner's report, a LMS can make necessary modifications to the eLearning content, and it can even create a customized learning path for individual students based on their performance.

Curate Learning Modules

A LMS allows you to update an eLearning course with new modules that work with your learning environment. The learning materials can also be linked to individualized learning pathways (a learning path is a set of steps that a student must follow in order to pass a course), allowing a teacher to tailor the content feed for specific students based on their progress or create a setting where blended learning can thrive.

Save Time and Money

Printing study materials, buying books, using online video conferencing platforms like Zoom, and renting other online training sites are not necessary when using a LMS. A learning management system aids in the comprehensive management of teaching schedules and materials, saving schools both time and money.

Reliability

Many people were concerned about the security weaknesses of the Zoom video conferencing software after information was released. Because you have more access to the system and can integrate functionalities, a learning management system software is far more secure; antivirus, antimalware, and IP blockers bolster these assertions.

Less Training Required

Learning technology is created with students and teachers in mind. As a result, the user Interface is straightforward. A brief demonstration or online training course with the developers can assist the teacher in navigating the system, creating courses, and managing them.

Portability

The LMS can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, including a computer, smartphone, or tablet. If a teacher needs to deliver a revision class, they can use a virtual classroom to connect with all of the students, or if a student is on vacation or traveling, they may access the class content and exercises from anywhere.

Improves Learning Experience

This is the ultimate goal of any virtual campus. LMSs provide more than just a virtual learning environment, they make learning a more holistic experience.

What are the factors to consider when comparing learning management systems?

You may be wondering, what factors contribute to making the best LMS for schools? When searching for the right LMS, keep these factors in mind:

Pricing

What is the pricing system? Is it compatible with how you intend to utilize the LMS? Is it adaptable? How successfully will the LMS scale to meet the needs of your curriculum?

Usability

Perhaps you are searching for a LMS for younger students, if so then you need to find a user interface that is simple and can be understood by younger users. This could be through simplified language, bright colors, or a non-complex interface.

Social Learning

Do you want your students to be able to form bonds with one another? Do you use features like badges and leaderboards in your learning strategy? If that's the case, look into the LMS gamification and social learning capabilities.

Customer Service

Is customer service an add-on or does it come standard with the LMS? How much help do you think you'll require? Is there a service level agreement (SLA) in place with the vendor for reacting to outages or downtime? If that's the case, what are the different levels and how much do they cost?

What defines an ideal Learning Management System?

The LMS market is growing, and by 2021, it is expected to be worth $15.72 billion. By 2020, online-only students are estimated to account for 25% of all students, not including those who participate in mixed learning. Now is an excellent time to look over the many eLearning options to see which ones would provide the best outcomes for your school. H3:

Learning Paths with Progress Tracking

Learning routes are a common LMS feature. However, they are implemented differently in each package. This technology is necessary since it allows educators to organize their materials in a logical manner. They can lay out a clear path for their students to follow in order to cover each topic in the most efficient manner possible, resulting in a better overall experience. Some LMSs also have branching options, which allow students to take a specialized path by selecting two or more courses from a list.

Schools should seek out learning paths that include progress monitoring. This feature will highlight the student's progress in their educational journey as well as particular details on various areas of the process. Educators should, for example, be able to see class participation, quiz and test results, and other details to see how a student is doing and whether or not they are keeping up.

Interactive Discussions

Through debates and activities, interactivity gives extra learning opportunities. A school-friendly LMS should have the tools necessary for students to interact with one another and with staff. Learners can improve their grasp of the content and help their classmates by participating in classroom discussions. While the educator should still supervise interactions as needed, this will allow them to devote more time to developing curriculum and assisting students who require one-on-one assistance.

More than just text discussion is beneficial in some courses. More options to participate in a less rigorous format will be available with a learning management system that includes interactive whiteboards. Another fantastic option is interactive video, which allows you to pause the program and ask the class a question or lead them through an activity.

Personalized Learning

One of the most important lessons that instructors have learned throughout the years is that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to education. Some kids require a different approach or work at a different speed. A school-friendly LMS enables educators to customize the course to the student's needs. Content should be adaptable, with the ability to target specific students or groups of students.

As a result, teachers are able to deal with each student on their own level. Students who are more advanced can be given more difficult issues or access to more complicated learning materials, while those who are struggling can be offered simpler concepts. Each student can stay in the same class without hindering or complicating the procedure for the others.

Parent Involvement Features

For younger kids, especially elementary and high school students, parental participation is critical. Letters or phone calls were once the only means of communication with parents. The LMS at your school should have options that keep parents up to date on a daily basis.

Many schools provide parents with access to a student profile that contains attendance data, test and assignment scores, and other information. The ideal LMS should also allow parents, students, and teachers to communicate with one another. Because online messaging is quick and simple, problems, inquiries, and updates can be shared easily.

What's the best learning management system?

A learning management system ensures that students gain a better comprehension and are more confident on their educational path. Studyo's learning management system encourages users to self-manage, take initiative, and solve problems both in and out of the classroom. In order to complete their project on time, Studyo also helps students develop a mobile learning strategy for the next steps. The user can now stay on track and plan thanks to the integration with Google Classroom.

Students are more likely to succeed when they are given clear instructions to follow. Our school planner features progress tracking, customizable templates, and step-by-step assignment breakdowns, making it simple to stay organized and plan for classes. Studyo prepares you for academic and personal success. Our dashboard helps you identify flagging issues and trends that may impede your success.Studyo assists students with developing good study habits, learning more effectively, and gaining confidence when faced with difficult projects. If you want to get your students to enjoy learning, book a demo of our LMS or contact us if you have any questions.