Components of a Modern Learning Management System

Understanding Learning Management Systems - Part III

In earlier articles I discussed the changing role of Learning Management Systems and asked whether all LMS's were the same in terms of their underlying design. In this third article in the series it seems appropriate, then, to explore the key components of a modern LMS - what exactly does a multi-functional LMS provide for the learner, the learning provider and, importantly, what might it be capable of doing in an extended organisational development role?

Core Functionality

Starting with the basics, an LMS's functionality can be divided into a number of areas that can be considered as the core of any LMS. These subsystems of the LMS include:

Learning Content Management System - The LMS acts as a central source library providing a searchable list of courses and other learning activities that are available to learners. The LMS provides information on what these resources cover, who they are aimed at and what developmental need each addresses.

eLearning Delivery Subsystem – All LMS's provide functionality that allows access to eLearning. We have already discussed this as a key defining role of an LMS although, today, our definition of eLearning may extend beyond traditional on-line courses to include a far wider range of rich media-based training and learning experiences such as video-based training, on-line manuals, serious games and simulations.

Course/Event Calendar and Booking System - Where formal classroom-based or virtual classroom workshops or other events are included, then the LMS provides a calendar function to notify learners when these scheduled activities take place. Most LMS’s also provide a course booking and registration system.

Management of Learners, Instructors and their Roles – The administration of both classroom, workshop or virtual classroom-based training and e-learning requires us to allocate trainers and students to events and record registrations, completions and (if applicable) test scores. For workplace LMS’s, a considerable amount of information may already exist within the organisation’s HRD systems and L&D Managers often face the challenge of systems integration, allowing the users to access the LMS via existing login profiles and providing a seamless interface to the LMS.

L&D Analysis and Report Generation – It should be evident to L&D and HRD Managers that the LMS has the ability to capture a lot of valuable information about the skill levels and development of the competence and capability of the organisation as a whole. Tools that allow the organisation to extract, analyse and report on data within the LMS add significantly to LMS functionality as a strategic planning tool.

Components of a multi-functional Learning Management System

If we are considering a wider role for the LMS in providing a platform to facilitate organisational development and group learning, there is some extra functionality that we should be looking for in a truly multi-functional system.

Functions of the Extended LMS

Assessment and Evaluation Tools

The idea of role-based competency modelling and individual learning and development planning based on assessment against a defined competence framework is not new. But, with the growing importance of skills to the long-term success of many organisations, its application is becoming more widespread. Companies seeking reassurance of competence (sometimes driven by the need for regulatory compliance) are looking to certification as a way of demonstrating learning and development credentials. Consumers of commercial courses look at certification as a way of enhancing their own personal capital. The LMS has an important role to play in both providing access to assessment tools where learners can gain feedback on their current level of knowledge and skill and in providing individual learning and development plans.

Learning Records Management and Certification

Coupled with assessment and testing comes the need to store and manage learners’ records of achievement. Always an important part of Academic LMS functionality, this is of increasing interest to Workplace and Commercial LMS’s. Learning Records and Certification of learners may be an integral part of the LMS, or a separate application module. Either way, proof of achievement information needs to be captured and processed.

Team Learning and Collaboration

Increasingly, companies are beginning to realise that organisational development is a team endeavour and that workplace learning is cemented by encouraging collaborative working. Group discussion and problem solving helps permeate knowledge and understanding throughout the whole organisation. In the academic arena too, sharing amongst the learning group can have significant benefits. LMS functionality is rapidly moving into this space, allowing the formation of teams and providing a variety of collaborative tools.

In Conclusion:

If you are looking at selecting and implementing a new LMS or upgrading your current system, then considering and documenting your needs under each heading in the diagram above will improve your decision-making and give you a better chance of future-proofing your LMS for learning in the 21st century.

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