LMS has played a key role in employee learning and development for a while now. They have also been used in the formal education world for some time as well. Distance learning, online varsities, virtual class delivered via home computer system; all are possible with the LMS capabilities.
They have come a long way, but like the rest, the eLearning management system is constantly evolving and growing. We have seen virtual classroom software becoming the new normal especially for Generation Z. We have seen the focus shifting from SCORM model to X-API standard. We have seen them evolve from a handful of tools to hundred advanced features. The evolution of LMS is changing the dynamics of eLearning, and let’s explore the major changes LMS will go through:
Interoperability:
There was a time when learning management systems were quite limited when it came to where, when, how they operate. Today, a seemingly increased flexibility is experienced, but future LMS will need to provide better interoperability, which can deliver immen flexibility in where, when, and how learners can complete the course, but it even meets almost each single aspect we will discuss further.
Access from anywhere:
One of the major changes will be a constant shift in letting learners to complete courses from anywhere and any time. This is a significant change, as employees no longer visit a common training venue and complete training on systems provided. Today, learners can do a lot, they are not restricted to a training room. The training is done remotely, even at home. In a few cases they can even take classes, quiz, and pass tests on their phones.
Just for you:
Another shift in trends in eLearning is the one for all to customized, personalized experiences. Every person learns in different ways, some are fast learners, some are auditory learners, others learn by taking their own time. Yet, every organization, business, still uses a LMS that gives the same experience to every individual. In the near future, we will see a shift toward better individualised LMS experience. Those will be able to provide a curated, customized path for tailored learning for every person, adapt the learning process to unique requirements, add customized content according to organizational needs and learner’s requirements, available in offline mode and many more.
Interactivity:
LMS were just delivery systems for content that forced the learner into passivity. Today, the shift towards better interactivity is accelerated at all levels, which is replacing Video training with interactive animation and gamification, social learning and much more. Interactive training boosts the engagement on a deeper level. They move from passive to active participants. Interactivity makes sure that learners are able to master training content and speeds up the completion of the training process.
Analytics and Tracking:
You operate for a profit organization or non-profit organization, an educational institution, you must be able to track and monitor the progress of learners. Earlier, hardcopy records and manual recording processes used to take a lot of time and cause errors. The future LMS does away with these problems, as it continues to evolve, they are adopting tools that closely relate the features like Google Analytics. You are able to track which learners have finished the course, which one is still in process, and how much time they spent on learning, who required professional assistance, and more. All of this data is available at a peek through a common dashboard leading to no wastage of time and accurate numbers.
Conclusion:
If all falls down to the future of the LMS can be a peek into today’s system. The trends we are experiencing now will not wane but will come into a better version. Interactivity, communication, better access, analytics and tracking will all pay key roles in the future LMS.
