Definition of a Learning Management System

More than a series of static events, employee training has always been a part of ongoing professional development. In that regard, a learning management system (LMS) is software designed and developed to track and manage computer-based training and education. Education is key to productivity and that means access to the right content and the right platform for the content. Essential to a learning management system are the goals of increasing knowledge, developing new skills and awareness, and improving productivity on the job.

Examples

More companies are turning to e-learning and e-certification in order to train and qualify employees. There is a significant return on investment for companies that use 'soft' or online systems to train and develop their workforces. Some of the branded systems include FlexTraining, Learn, Moodle, SharePoint and Claroline. Though these programs vary in approach and methodology, many of them rely on what is called "open source" licensing as an approach to design, development and distribution of the various learning modules. A great many of them are used on college campuses, as well as for training in work-related industries.

Open Source Licensing

Open source means access to the source code as well as open access to distribution of software licensing. In order for it to be "open source" is must be freely distributed without regard to royalties, donated or given away. It must also have a source code that is publicly accessible and available for download on the Internet without charge. Also, there can be no restrictions from it being used in business or for research, and it must not be specific to a product, restrictive of other software or technology-specific. The idea behind "open source" is to make sure that everyone who uses it has unrestricted access to it.

Applications

There are many real-time applications for software designed to teach and train, including project management, management training, online tutorials, web study, testing for certification of eligibility in certain courses and knowledge areas, testing for employment qualifications and training for use of specific company software and systems. Learning management systems also come in different languages.

SCORM Compliance

SCORM stands for "Shareable Content Object Reference Model." It is a standard for development, packaging and delivering high-quality training materials and content for online training courses. SCORM originated from the concept of using a common e-learning standard to modernize education and training courses. The SCORM compliance standard is applied to importing, shareware, reuse and exporting of content through web-based learning systems.

Cons of Learning Management Systems

Learning does not happen in a vacuum, according to Godfrey Parkin, a specialist in online strategy and marketing innovation. "...an LMS, as available today, is not a universal solution for a corporation's e-learning problems. In fact, an LMS is often the albatross around the neck of progress in technology-enhanced learning." He believes that the vendors of these software systems remove control from end-users--the instructors and learners. In an exaggerated effort to "do it all," LMS appears to cause more confusion than it resolves. Centralized learning, Parkin says, limit options in that they are more focused on tools and the warm bodies who use them than the needs of the instructor to maintain flexibility in his teaching methods.