LMS User Experience And Usability: How Do They Differ?
There are several factors to consider when choosing a new Learning Management System. Is it going to offer the best ROI? Does it have all the features your team needs to develop and deploy powerful online training experiences? Are the support services up to par? While all these criteria are crucial, finding a user-friendly LMS should be at the top of your list. However, many users confuse LMS User Experience and usability, which prevents them from evaluating the platform to ensure that it lives up to expectations. So, let’s take a closer look at the main differences between the LMS User Experience and usability, as well as where the UI fits into the big picture.
LMS User Experience Vs. Usability
Think of the UX (User Experience) as an umbrella term that encompasses every element of the tool, including how users interact with the system, access information, and navigate the platform. Even the support services may factor into the equation, given that more advanced support options allow you to maximize the tool’s potential. Thereby, offering a more positive LMS User Experience.
Usability is another piece of that puzzle. An LMS that ranks high on the usability scale is intuitive and involves a low learning curve. Virtually anyone can use it with little to no training. The interface has an organic flow that it’s easy to master, while the navigation is seamless and glitch-free. Thus, a usable, user-friendly LMS is more likely to provide an optimal LMS User Experience.
What Are The Differences Between LMS User Experience And Usability?
Usability is at the heart of UX. It is a narrower concept than LMS User Experience since it only focuses on goal achievement when using a site or platform or app. Usability is task and performance oriented, which means that it is focused on optimizing user task efficiency, and it is about removing problems in the User Interface.
UX, on the other hand, is more experiential, subjective and emotional. Let’s take for example the ISO definition on UX:
"A person's perceptions and responses that result from the use or anticipated use of a product, system or service".
According to the above definition, we understand that UX is how a person feels when interacting with a product, in our case an LMS. We also see that UX is highly subjective, highly dynamic and context specific, and highly emotional. It focuses also on positive aspects of interaction, such as identification, stimulation, attractiveness etc.
Where Does The UI Come Into Play?
UI is another term that’s often confused for both the UX and usability of the LMS. But the UI is yet another element that impacts LMS User Experience. It also contributes to the overall usability of the platform, as it determines how users interact with the tool and all the features/functions it has to offer. For example, a flexible User Interface that’s simple and straightforward is more usable than one with overly complicated navigation controls or a dashboard that doesn’t logically group design components or pages. For instance, it takes your admin five minutes to locate the "user management" or "generate reports" section even though they’ve used the system for months.
There’s a lot that goes into providing the best LMS User Experience. However, organizations should evaluate every element to determine if their top choice meets all the criteria. Does it offer the complete package? A highly usable system that it’s easily accessible and boasts an intuitive interface? One of the most effective ways to answer this all-important question is to test drive the platform for yourself. In fact, invite key stakeholders to do the same so that they can provide their feedback.
Does your current LMS pass the test, or is it time to look for a new system that can deliver a better User Experience? Download our free eBook The Complete Guide For Choosing A User-Friendly LMS That Fulfills Your Business Needs to learn everything you need to know about how to invest in a usable LMS for your organization. It features tips to use reviews and ratings to find the ideal system, as well as tips to use an online directory to choose the ideal tool for your online training needs and budget. Get your copy today to discover why UX matters and the notable advantages of investing in an LMS that’s high on usability.