The learning management systems available in 2024 have come a long way from the platforms of years past. Businesses can handle all aspects of training within one system with many ways to customize the experience.
Searching for an LMS for the first time can be an overwhelming task. Even if you already use an older LMS, looking for an upgrade requires research. There are so many out there, and many include features that are tailored to a specific industry or need.
The first step is to get familiar with the LMS features that are available in 2024. The right tools can show you how to optimize employee training for a multigenerational workforce. They can also lower your training costs, improve knowledge retention, and give you a leg up on your competition.
Which LMS features will help you achieve your business training goals in 2024?
Gamification Tools
Gamification is a mainstay in training. It improves engagement by making learning fun. It can also inspire a sense of friendly competition that pushes learners to keep improving through leaderboards and rewards programs.
Gamification features can be implemented in different ways. Some platforms give users profiles that display scores and badges earned through training. Others turn training material into educational games.
Most LMSs already have gamification capability. These are often customizable with options to add images for badges and certificates or to create a list of rewards or a scoring system.
Mobile Access
Mobile access is a must in 2024. Over two-thirds of the world’s population uses a mobile phone. That’s 5.65 billion people with projections indicating that the number will rise to over 7.4 billion by next year.
Your eLearning tools should support mobile learning. The easiest solution is to find an LMS that supports mobile platforms. Responsive designs will adapt to any screen size, so learners can get the same experience on a phone, tablet, or computer.
Mobile access gives users greater flexibility, which makes them more likely to follow through with training.
Live Virtual Classrooms
eLearning may involve computers, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a human touch there as well.
Live virtual classrooms are a popular feature in 2024 because they combine the best of both worlds. They offer the convenience of online learning from anywhere with the human interaction of a traditional classroom.
Many platforms include a way to host live classes, or they connect with a third-party app that does. These often include convenient tools like a hand raise button for learners, whiteboards, polling, screen sharing, attendance tracking, and more.
Customer Education Resources
An LMS is for more than just employee training. Many organizations use their platforms to also provide partner, affiliate, and customer education.
Training your customer base can produce excellent results. A customer who understands a product or service will be more likely to get greater value out of it. They will also be less likely to need additional support when using the product or service.
Customer education will have a positive effect on customer satisfaction, which is always good for business.
Integration Capability
Many businesses utilize multiple third-party apps and software to keep their operation running smoothly. It makes sense that they would want those tools to complement one another.
Most LMS platforms integrate with third-party platforms. You can usually find a complete list of compatible apps, or you can submit a request for integration. Some of the most common integrations include:
- Shopping carts
- Data management
- Analytics
- Compliance
- Human resources
- Supplemental learning
A good integration allows users to expand the functionality of their LMS. It will also reduce the risk of duplicate data and will help organizations find the right combination of tools to be successful.
Automated Management
Automation is another strong contender for top feature in 2024. This tool has been implemented in different ways across different LMSs.
It’s a popular find for enrolment, where administrators can set it up to auto-enroll or remove users based on specific criteria.
Automation can also be used to generate recommended courses and content. The system can compile suggestions based on the learners’ past and current activity and career goals. Admins can automate portal invites and other activities.
When set up correctly, automation can save trainers and administrators a lot of time on back-end or repeat tasks.
Advanced Reporting
Reporting features are a common find among LMS platforms and have been for years. While this isn’t a new category of features, it is one that has experienced significant innovation.
Many LMSs include pre-built filters and templates that let users instantly generate reports that are commonly needed among businesses. Others also include ways to edit those templates or create new ones from scratch. These give users the option of the pre-made version or something tailored to their needs.
The appeal of an LMS is that it can record all activity that occurs within it. That data can then be compiled to generate comprehensive reports geared toward any business goal. It’s far faster and more accurate than trying to manage data by hand.
Social Learning
Social learning is very popular in 2024. It makes sense considering human beings are inherently social. We like to live in communities that allow us to work as a group. Social connections help us cooperate and communicate.
In eLearning, social tools work much the same way. They allow learners to collaborate and discuss the training material. They give us access to others who may have answers or otherwise be able to provide support.
Some of the most common social learning tools include:
- Forums
- Chat
- Video conferencing
- Group whiteboards
- Profiles and leaderboards
Accessibility
Accessibility is vital because it ensures that you can accommodate as many learners as possible. Understanding accessibility in eLearning and why you need it is important.
When you meet the official W3C standards for accessibility, your content will be able to reach almost anyone. These guidelines address the needs of people with disabilities. It’s designed to make content accessible for users with:
- Impaired hearing
- Impaired vision
- Motor skill limitations
- Cognitive impairment
There are several ways that your LMS can make your content accessible to everyone. A few common methods are to give you access to alt tags for images and videos, include highlighting to emphasize text, and produce a consistent interface through all stages of eLearning.
Easy Content Management
Your LMS should make content management easy. The appeal of doing things through a centralized system is that you can make updates quickly and with less hassle. This is especially true when it comes to course materials.
Modern LMS platforms allow users to edit, add, or remove content with a click or two. That means that when you make a change to one course, it is updated for all learners. You don’t have to switch out textbooks or replace hardcopy worksheets with new ones. Upload a revised file or make a change to a presentation and then add it to the course.
This level of convenience should be one of the basic features offered by your LMS. If making content changes requires a lot of time and effort, you need a new system.
Which LMS Features Do You Need?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when deciding which LMS features are best for you. It’s important to review your business needs and make a list of necessary activities. You can also read LMS reviews online to get a feel for what’s available in 2024.
