The gap between the technophiles and the technophobes is closing. This is especially true in the business world. There are some hold outs, but more companies are getting on the LMS bandwagon. The eLearning marketplace is vast now, with a wide range of products and features geared toward nearly every industry imaginable. And it’s all thanks to modern technology.
Harvard Business Review reported that “the pace of technology adoption is speeding up.” They point to the automotive industry, where a typical design cycle for a new vehicle is between 24 and 36 months. That’s a significant improvement compared to the 60-month long cycle required just five years ago.
The report also states that it took electricity 30 years and telephones 25 years to reach a mere 10% adoption rate. Tablet devices reached the same milestone in less than five years.
The same can be said for the eLearning industry. Growth can be seen across the world. India took the lead with an eLearning market that expanded to six times what it was in 2015. Yet there are still organizations that are reluctant to join the tech movement. This could stem from LMS myths that circle the industry. Is inaccurate information holding your business back from making a key investment in its training program?
- Myth: Only Big Corporations and Enterprises Can Use Learning Management Systems
This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Many platforms are designed for start-ups and small to medium size businesses. Some are built for a bigger audience, but not all. And many are highly scalable. That means if your team grows or shrinks over the years, you won’t have to switch to a different LMS.
Look for a platform that offers practical features based on your business needs. The price you pay will vary greatly from one product to the next. Some include monthly subscriptions with or without a per-user fee. Others are open-source and available for free. Whether you have 10 employees or thousands, there is an LMS out there that has what you need.
- Myth: An LMS is Difficult to Set Up and Resource-Intensive to Operate
Long ago, a business would have to pay someone to develop training tools. This could be a lengthy and expensive process. Today, we have access to learning management systems that are user-friendly and very easy to set up. Many utilize the cloud, which allows for instant or near-instant implementation. Just input your data, connect any third-party apps that you use, and you’re ready to train.
You can also opt for a SaaS (Software as a Service) product. This model gives users access to software online through a web browser. Nothing must be installed or maintained locally. The service provider handles performance, security, and maintenance on their own servers.
- Myth: Only a Small Group or Upper Management Will Benefit from Using an LMS
eLearning can benefit everyone. Current features and improvements give us more tools to use when building courses. Instructors can teach trainees using different methods and mediums, all within the LMS. Videos, audio, photographs, interactive elements, quizzes, and simulations can be incorporated to create a well-rounded experience for the learner.
Microlearning has risen to the top as a preferred method employed by many LMS developers and content creators. This technique takes information and breaks it down into bite-size pieces that are easier for the human brain to digest. It increases knowledge retention and overall success. According to the Journal of Applied Psychology, teaching in smaller segments is 17% more efficient compared to lengthy lectures or sessions.
- Myth: An LMS is Only Used to Manage eLearning Courses
You can manage eLearning through an LMS, along with any other type of learning. Many platforms provide ways to connect to third-party services as well as options to manually enter outside activities. This allows learners to create an all-in-one hub for their training.
Many also support ways to host webinars through services like GoToMeeting. Users can participate in live, in-person events without being there. Others provide built-in calendars that allow instructors to facilitate traditional classroom training.
- Myth: There Is No Return on Investment When You Pay for an LMS
An LMS isn’t just another expense. It is an investment. You can save money and generate revenue several ways. The first is through more efficient use of employee time. It will take less time for trainers to manage their classes, which allows them to do more on an average day. Trainees will also be able to learn more efficiently. That means they can join the workforce sooner and with less downtime.
Some platforms include ecommerce tools that let businesses monetize their course content. Sell individual classes, course packages, or subscriptions and let your LMS pay for itself.
- Myth: Switching to an LMS Prevents Collaboration and Social Learning
Just because you are using a computer doesn’t mean the human element has been removed from training. Many LMS platforms nurture a sense of community through features like forums, instant messages, class chats, and comment threads. Discussions related to specific courses or assignments can happen any time, even when learners are hundreds of miles apart.
In many ways, switching to eLearning opens your training program to even more collaboration and team-building opportunities. It allows you to connect more people at a much lower cost than a seminar and less hassle than a conference call.
- Myth: You Need a Big IT Department or Third-Party Expert to Use an LMS
Today’s eLearning platforms are designed for usability and convenience. You do not have to have a programmer on hand to navigate the system, make changes, or complete daily tasks. Many developers provide access to support, which can range from an online knowledge base to email or phone support and ticketing systems. As long as you choose your LMS wisely, you should not need extra IT beyond who you already have on staff. In some cases, none may be required because the subscription includes everything you need to implement, learn, and manage the system.
- Myth: LMSs Cannot Be Used to Teach Hands-On Skills or Trades
When people think of eLearning, they often envision someone reading text on a computer screen interspersed with the occasional photo or video. Technological advancements have created a more authentic learning experience that’s available in many LMS platforms. This includes things like simulations and virtual reality. Trainees can demonstrate real skills without putting other people or resources at risk.
Some platforms also allow learners to record evidence that they demonstrated a skill in person. They can enter the activity into the system and have a supervisor or manager sign-off on it. It is recorded in the LMS, so their record is complete and accurate.
- Myth: Learners Are Less Likely to Pay Attention If There Is No Instructor Present
Training isn’t always exciting for the learner. Some managers assume that if an instructor isn’t present, then the class will disengage. eLearning addresses these concerns with features like gamification and interactive videos.
Gamification adds a fun element to the process. Learners are motivated to earn points and badges for completion and high scores on tests. Interactive videos incorporate questions at key points, ensuring that the viewer is still paying attention and understanding the content. The eLearning industry has found many ways to grab and keep the trainee’s interest.
- Myth: Using an LMS Will Limit the Way Learners Can Be Taught
Some believe that using an LMS will limit how the class is taught. In reality, the opposite is true. eLearning opens new avenues of training to everyone. You can add any resource available on the internet along with built-in tools that teach in different ways. Using an LMS will expand your trainer’s arsenal of resources, empowering them to provide a better experience for every new hire or staff member. Course distribution is much simpler and has a longer reach compared to other training methods.
If your business isn’t using an LMS, now is the time to start searching for one. You can lower operating costs, generate revenue, and build a strong workforce with little to no skill gaps. Check out LMS.org to explore today’s eLearning platforms.
