A good learning management system (LMS) can be a boon for your organization. Today’s LMSs are packed with features. They tend to be more flexible, scalable, and intuitive than learning software of decades past. And with more research going into online learning, we have a better understanding of which methods are efficient.

There is one thing to remember when using an LMS: you’ll only get out of it what you put into it. That’s the case with any software.

If you aren’t filling your system with relevant and interesting courses, keeping the material up to date, and encouraging your workforce to use it, then you will miss out on a lot of benefits.

Many LMS platforms have also simplified backend housekeeping tasks. It’s easier and less time-consuming to administrate and manage users. Most have import features and streamlined forms to enter new users or update information.

The first step is to learn more about how you can optimize your use of an LMS. What can you do now to get more out of your eLearning platform?

Have a Solid Introduction to the LMS in Place

New technology can save time and increase productivity in business. However, you can’t expect to install something new and have all workers jump on it. People within your organization may have varied experience levels with technology. Others may be accustomed to an old system, even if it isn’t the best solution.

That’s why it’s essential to have a solid introduction to the LMS in place. This should cover basic use, like how to access training, profiles, or anything else the individual may need. It should also touch on what makes the system better than previous methods and how it can benefit each department or employee.

When your team understands how to use the LMS as well as what it can do to make their lives easier, they will be far more likely to dive into it.

This is especially important when learning how to optimize employee training for a multigenerational workforce. Older generations may have less experience with technology and may require more support to learn how to navigate an LMS.

Centralize All Employee Training Activities in the LMS

Your LMS should serve as the central hub for all your organization’s training activities. Having everything in one place is efficient and will give employees a reason to return to the system.

Many of today’s LMSs allow organizations to condense all their learning activities into one database. That includes courses finished within the LMS as well as third-party training and in-person education. The in-person activities are usually added manually through an online system or a mobile app.

Having all this information in one place will also enable the system to provide better reports using a broader collection of data.

If your organization hasn’t turned its LMS into a centralized training hub, then your system may be less efficient than it could be.

Nurture Positive Attitudes Towards Continued Learning

Attitudes make all the difference when it comes to the success of a change within your business. Nurture a positive outlook when introducing your LMS.

Don’t just order employees to start using the system. Show them how it can help them and what benefits it brings to the company and their team.

A positive attitude starts from the top down, so make sure management is on board before implementation. They are key when creating a positive learning environment with eLearning.

Monitor Training Activities to Look for Trends

Are you monitoring training activities through your LMS? Most offer reporting features that gather data and organize it. These often include pre-made reports that are commonly used as well as custom filters that let the user choose which data they want to see.

This information can help you look for trends within the system. See which courses are performing well and which are not. Those that appear weak may need to be reworked or supplemented with additional training material.

You can also see who your top learners are and gain a better understanding of knowledge gaps and subject matter experts. With this information, you know who to go to for assistance with improving existing courses, creating new ones, and who may need refreshers or additional training support.

Addressing these problems now will help you build a knowledgeable workforce.

Empower Employees to Choose Their Learning Paths

Employees want to feel like they are in control of their careers. When they feel like there’s nowhere to go or they have no say, it can severely damage morale and performance.

Training is a great way to empower your employees. Let them choose their learning paths. Create a curriculum based on specific job roles or training objectives. Employees can access these and get started to achieve their professional goals.

Giving your employees choices and access to continuous learning will strengthen your organization and improve retention rates.

Keep Paths of Communication Open for Employees

Technology should make communication easier. It shouldn’t turn into a barrier between team members.

Keep the paths of communication open so employees can ask questions, request assistance, or share suggestions. Your LMS likely includes some kind of messaging system. Many have built-in private messaging as well as comment threads or forums.

Share this information with your team if you haven’t already. Make sure everyone knows where they can go for help or to share ideas. Collaboration can lead to innovation, which can help carry your organization into the future.

If your system doesn’t offer the collaboration and communication features you need, you can find LMS reviews and information that will guide you to a platform that’s a better match.

Encourage Engagement with Gamification

Gamification is another way to encourage engagement with your LMS. It makes learning more fun and exciting. It gives users clear goals and milestones to strive toward. It can also generate a sense of friendly competition with leaderboards. You can also use gamification to reward employees for doing well in training.

Check out your LMS’s gamification features and make sure you are fully implementing them. Common gamification features include:

• Points systems
• Leaderboards
• Progress bars
• Achievements and badges
• Mini games

Gamification is a good way to create a positive learning environment that engages employees while working towards corporate training goals.

Your LMS will more than pay for itself once it is fully utilized by teams at all levels of your company.