When implementing eLearning, the right choice of LMS is the most important and responsible step, as it affects all parties involved in the studying process. iSpring specialists regularly deal with clients who are either choosing their first LMS or switching from a previous one. Below are some ideas gathered from this experience.
- Define your requirements for an LMS and create an LMS Implementation Checklist.
- Start by implementing the easiest and quickest options in order to gain experience. This way you'll be able to get the first results sooner and save money.
- Evaluate the real cost of "free solutions." All too often, they aren't free at all.
- Choose one group and course for a pilot project. There's no need to create a big course for a wide audience at once. Move on step by step.
- Before launching a course, take it yourself from beginning to end. Pay attention to what could distract learners.
- Start with a project that promises the biggest commercial effect.
- Contact technical support to see how it works and understand if it meets your expectations.
- If you plan to use SCORM courses, check their compatibility. Today, most LMS vendors claim that their platforms can be used with SCORM, but in fact, the support is often limited.
Before Implementing An LMS
1. Inform Interested Parties About The Start Of A Project
2. Define And Record The Following:
- The goals of implementing eLearning in the organization (e.g., knowledge transfer, skills acquisition, talent development, performance review, evaluation of applicants, lowering cost on training, and others)
- The measurable results of a completed project.
- The learning mode: individual or in groups, blended or distance, mobile or desktop.
3. Make A List Of All Parties Involved
Make a list of all parties involved in the eLearning implementation and divide them into Project Managers, administrators, tutors, students, and other possible roles.
4. Create A Checklist Of Requirements For An LMS
Content Support
- What types of content would you like to use: interactive courses, video lectures, audio tracks, slides, gamified courses, group discussions, or others?
- What assessment types will you use: tests, open-ended tasks, collaborative works, or others?
- What content formats will you use: HTML5, PDF, DOC, XLSX, PPT, MP4, or others?
- Will you create courses in SCORM, AICC, xAPI, or other eLearning standards? Note that though most LMS vendors claim that their platforms can be used with SCORM, in fact, the support is often limited to certain versions of SCORM. Check the compatibility yourself by uploading your SCORM courses to an LMS of your choice.
Available Features
What options are essential for you?
- Integrated or compatible authoring tool(s)
- Social learning options: discussions, chats, and others
- Gamification and storytelling options
- Learning paths
- Mobile apps
- User import and export
- Others
Integration
What information systems would you like an LMS to be integrated with and why? Do you need an integration with an ERP system and if yes, how can it be useful?
Reports
What analytics do you expect to get from an LMS? What information should reports contain and how should it be presented?
Implementation And Scalability
How many people will study now and in the future? For example, if you plan to have 100 students today and 10,000 students a year later, make sure an LMS can adapt easily without requiring additional help from specialists or unbudgeted expenses.
5. Test-Drive The LMS
Take advantage of a free trial version, if available, and test the LMS in three different roles: administrator, tutor, and student (user). If you haven't figured out how to perform a certain task in less than 3 minutes, strike the LMS off the list.
6. Collect Feedback
Ask a group of people of different age and sex to test the LMS, and then collect feedback. Was it easy for them to master the system? Ideally, an LMS should have an intuitive interface that doesn't require extra training before getting started. Ask your sample group if they had to contact support or consult the documentation for any questions.
We at iSpring hope this mini-guide will help you find the LMS of your dreams and achieve your eLearning goals.