The Use of LMS in Electronic Learning
An LMS is a computer software that enables facilitation and administration of training programs by electronic learning mode. Both storage and training functions can be done using the LMS software which allows for storage of documents, administration of the documents and facilitation of training. Web-based LMS’s are the most common in the modern world, since they allow for easy access of learning materials from wherever the consumer might be situated.
There are two main types of LMS’s namely, Educational LMS’s and Corporate LMS’s. Educational LMS’s are used by educational institutions to simplify teaching and enable these institutions offer trainings to a wider range of students. On the other hand, corporate LMS’s are used by corporate institutions in assisting their staff members to access more information in their fields of expertise hence enhancing performance appraisal.
The main purpose of an LMS depends on the type of LMS in question. Offering students a wide variety of content that would not have been easily accessible in a manual system of learning is the main purpose of an educational LMS. Additionally, it allows students to carry out personal studies thereby facilitating easy learning and reducing teachers’ fatigue due to continuous classroom teaching of all content.
Most corporate institutions employ the use of LMS’s during training of members of staff according to specific job requirements of their portfolios. Corporate companies also use this continuous training using LMS’s in managing their employees’ development, build appraisal platforms and carry out succession planning.
The use of LMS’s in today’s world has been made easy by the use of computers. First of all, the institution that needs electronic learning should create a computer software that suits their e-learning needs. The institution must ensure that the created software has an interface that captures issues of registration, limited access of information and storage of information.
Limited access of information on the LMS interface is important so as to allow only the intended target population to access the learning materials. Once the LMS software is ready, the next phase involves uploading of training materials in the LMS portal in line with training needs. Both text and graphics may be uploaded in the LMS provided that they fit in the database.
The next phase in the use of the LMS involves the uploading of the LMS software in the internet. Web-based applications have a major advantage since they allow for easy access of their content from anywhere in the world, bearing in mind that internet can be accessed from anywhere. Accessibility codes and passwords are then given to the targeted population to access learning materials form the LMS that is now web-based.
The nature of materials uploaded on the database of the LMS will determine whether the LMS will require a trainer or a facilitator. Regardless of whether a facilitator is needed or not, LMS’s produce better results and short time periods.