Why This Matters
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs. Learning management systems were designed to identify training and learning gaps, utilizing analytical data and reporting. LMSs are focused on online learning delivery but support a range of uses, acting as a platform for online content, including courses. Modern LMSs include intelligent algorithms to make automated recommendations for courses based on a user’s skill profile as well as extract meta-data from learning materials in order to make such recommendations even more accurate.
Not everyone needs an expensive or extensive LMS. It really depends on your needs. In addition, your courses need to be designed and developed first with clear learning outcomes, evaluations, engaging activities. If you are not familiar with Instructional Design Methodologies you might consider up-skilling and learning about how to design a great course. Implementing a LMS isn’t going to fix poor content.
As with any software purchase, it’s important to understand your requirements/needs, what features you are looking for (nice to have vs. must have). Making a list of things you would like to “operationally do” will help determine your software requirements. Do this before looking for a software to meet those needs.
Resources
The Best Learning Management Systems – A comprehensive list of the best Learning Management Systems on the market.
10 Things You Need to Know When Choosing an LMS – An older article but some great tips.
10 Tips to consider before buying a LMS – This article is from a software provider but contains some important tips.
7 Considerations When Selecting Your Ideal LMS
Benefits of a Learning Management System – Using a learning management system has some big benefits over the old fashioned way of learning.
Recommendations
Kajabi – An elite “one-stop-shop” software for selling online courses.
Adobe Connect – Integrates Connect administrative tools into the LMS environment. Adobe Connect Tools provide a complete solution for rapid training and mobile learning. You can enable customers to quickly create, deliver and measure live and on-demand training for consistent deployment across devices.
Adobe Captivate Prime – Train employees, partners and customers effectively with a next-gen LMS. Deliver an enhanced & enjoyable learning experience for your learners. Reduce skill gaps to manage a learner ecosystem that is engaged, compliant and updated. Take advantage of the all-new AI-based Social Learning to encourage learning in the flow of work and allow peers to learn from each other.
Udemy – Online learning platform aimed at professional adults and students.
LearnDash – Taking cutting edge eLearning methodology and infusing it into WordPress. More than just a plugin, LearnDash provides practical and experience driven guidance for individuals and organizations interested in setting up online courses.
D2L/Brightspace – A web-based system that can be used by instructors for sharing content, leading discussions, posting grades, allowing students to upload assignments, and more.
Articulate 360
Articulate 360 – Articulate Storyline 360 – Build, track and manage training.
Articulate 360 – Rise 360 – Create eLearning with responsive authoring.
Articulate 360 – Content Library 360 – Images and slide templates for elearning.
Articulate 360 _ Review 360 – Gather and share feedback on articulate 360.
Articulate 360 – Articulate 360 Training – Videos and webinars to teach you how to build courses etc.
Schoox – A unique Talent Development Platform that covers the entire range of activities that help companies –from small to enterprise – change their perception about learning and talent management from a traditional compliance check list and HR administration process respectively into a holistic business growth process.
Teachable – A cloud-based, white-labeled course platform for high-volume organizations that want to sell online courses, train employees or teach online.
Talent LMS – An award-winning, cloud-based learning management system (LMS) that helps small and midsize businesses deliver training to employees, customers, and partners.
eLoomi – A cloud based Performance Management & Learning Management System. Engage, motivate and develop your employees with eloomi.
Docebo – Offers a learning portal for companies and their employees, partners and customers.
LearnUpon – A powerful, yet easy-to-use, Learning Management System. It helps you to deliver corporate training at scale. Schedule your demo today.
Udutu – A SAAS platform for e-learning, and is based in Victoria, British Columbia. The company’s Udutu LMS product is used for employee training, customer training, channel training, and compliance training. Udutu also offers a course authoring tool and a PowerPoint to HTML5 converter for SCORM compatibility.
Absorb LMS – A cloud-based learning management system (LMS) engineered to inspire learning and fuel business productivity.
Thinkific – A software platform that enables entrepreneurs to create, market, sell, and deliver their own online courses.
Gurucan – A 7-in-one platform that enables users to sell courses, workouts, memberships, and challenges online with their own Android and IOS apps.