FlexTraining Learning Management System^TM

The implementation of a Learning Management System is a key element of an online education project, but an integral part of that implementation.  A Learning Management System (LMS) will deliver, track, and serve as the primary course development tool. 

Some key points to consider: 

What content already exists, how can I use it, and who are Subject Matter Experts within the organization?  Research possible sources for learning content.  (MS PowerPoint, Word files, video material, flash movies, web sites, HTML and text, etc.)  In many cases you may already have web deliverable components and simply need an authoring tool to create the logical arrangement of learning screens.  In other cases you may need to convert text from word processing format to html format.  Classroom and CD-ROM based learning tools often generate large files that are too slow to load over the internet.  Conversion to streaming video format or Flash movies can prepare these multimedia materials for use in a network-based learning environment.  You also need to identify colleagues with expertise and materials pertaining the course, even if delivered in other formats.   Are there potential developers you can recruit for the project?  The first step is taking inventory of existing materials and resources.

How and when should I use multimedia?   Video and other multimedia such as Flash movies or PowerPoint can be valuable and entertaining when demonstrating a procedure or concept.  To hold learner interest, and save bandwidth, multimedia should be brief and targeted.  You also need to consider if the multimedia object can stand alone as an entire section of the course, or should it be embedded into a learning screen with other learning screens around it to enhance, add variation and complete the learning concept.  

How do I efficiently utilize the authoring options available?  What authoring options are available in the LMS, and can you utilize other authoring options outside of the LMS?  Can you use multiple authoring options within the same course by creating sections from different sources?   What testing features are available and how many exams or quizzes are needed?   What information needs to be tracked and reported from the examination process?  

What technology best communicates the purpose of your content? When you select a particular LMS technology or design format, make sure you are doing so because it is the best way to accomplish your goal.  Subject matter will normally dictate the choice of design and media.  If you are trying to teach software procedures a screen capture or recording of your mouse movements might be the most effective way to communicate the concept.  In other cases you may want to use static images but incorporate “hot points” that open multimedia objects in a pop up window.   Also don't under estimate the effectiveness of simple image and text utilizing variation in backgrounds, color choices, images and text arrangement.   Images and text are easy to create, usually require less development time, and put little strain on the LMS and your bandwidth.

What materials are online, and what materials would make better support materials?   Instructional material is needed to teach the concepts and knowledge you want to disseminate through your LMS.   Material that covers special cases, alternative methods or additional examples can be organized as support documentation.  Your LMS courses could use hyperlinks, document libraries, or simple reference information.  Which content is training material and what is reference material depends upon frequency, immediate and critical needs.  

When do I need an introductory course to lead to more advanced courses?   Most experts will agree the cardinal rule of LMS-based authoring is to make sure courses are not overwhelming in size.  Even within the course you want to make manageable sections, and possibly even break up the course into multiple courses.  Do you need a grouping of courses to effectively cover a specific competency or certification?  Job requirements, experience levels, and the diversity of your learning audience will also help you determine how to structure course offerings within your Learning Management System.   

The properly-implemented Learning Management System should facilitate, not dictate how your content is structured to produce the online course.   Needs and environments will change and the avenues offered by the LMS to create and adjust training content will remain vital. 

First, the organization needs to look within to see if it has the staff and system requirements to provide online training and support a robust Learning Management System. Is our data backbone robust enough to drive the training? Who will develop the LMS-based courses and provide the content? Will the end result be a cost-saving solution for the company?

Luckily, most companies have the content already in many different forms and the staffing to implement beginning and even more in-depth courses. Also, the requirements on the backbone systems for an LMS have been drastically reduced through technology to eliminate this hurdle of added expense. The only piece missing is the actual delivery tool or Learning Management System.

This is where Learning Management Systems like FlexTraining come into place. They provide the templates for advanced course development as well as the full management tracking and reporting capabilities necessary for online training.

With the development and delivery of multiple courses to large groups of employees or customers in a consistent and time effective manner, the cost per student for training can be reduced to pennies per class - a tremendous savings to the organization. Every bit as important as cost is the direct impact on the employee or customer. Learning is provided in a relaxed environment and can be reviewed over and over again to continually reinforce the content.

Performance testing and tracking are significant development and rating tools for employee advancement. In a world of spiraling costs and increased demands on all employees, on-demand e-learning solutions are bucking the trend and assisting organizations in every industry.

The best Learning Management Systems now combine an advanced feature set with a straightforward management interface and a visual layout for course development.