LMS is a fairly common and used (or over-used) phrase in eLearning parlance and means, primarily a software system that allows customers to do a few or many things when it comes to adopting eLearning as a part of the overall Learning strategy. For quite some time now I have been trying to understand – how does a customer look at the LMS? Are more customers looking it as a mere tool which automates tasks and increases the productivity and efficiency of training department or are they looking it as a ‘solution’ or maybe something much bigger than that as well – strategy?
Recently we’ve made the UpsideLMS compatible to mobile devices and also launched a new version – UpsideLMS Version 4.0. While ensuring compliance, we encountered some interesting issues in the implementation of SCORM and found very little help online about implementing SCORM for mobile devices. So we thought sharing that experience might help.
Mobile devices have limitations:
- Screen size
- Availability of required technology/software like J2ME, a compatible browser
- Availability of consistent internet connection
In the past I have written a few posts mainly focused on making the process of selecting the right LMS for your business need – be it internal training management or selling training as a business. We looked at a series of things focusing on the right way to go about open source LMS, in case you are switching to a new LMS system, the critical consideration on how to decide between hosted and behind-the-firewall option, and even a few tips on what not to do while selecting an LMS.
As responses to a recent post where I listed five things not to do while selecting an LMS I received a couple of queries about using an Open Source LMS, customizing it to suit the requirements and if it is advisable to do so. There were also questions around the best approach to use an open source LMS and on how to estimate the amount of maintenance such might require on an ongoing basis. This post is for people exploring an open source LMS as an option either for a new LMS setup or for a switch-over.
Following the recent release of UpsideLMS Version 4.0 we have now introduced a reseller program for the product and related services. We invite independent organizations and individual professionals to the program. We aim to expand our reach to markets and customers needing reliable eLearning solutions.
For an eLearning initiative to be successful, strong leaders and champions are needed in the organization. It also needs a robust and reliable LMS solution amongst others (great courses, proper alignment of the training function with the LMS, technical support for the entire setup, etc.) The LMS remains a key link in the success chain.
Today we reach a significant milestone as we release UpsideLMS Version 4.0 – a comprehensive, fully-featured learning management system delivered on a robust, scalable and reliable architecture. It’s extremely satisfying for me personally as the chief architect of the system since its first release. Here I am sharing a quick overview of what’s new in Version 4.0 and I encourage you to take a tour OR a trial and let me know of your thoughts on the latest version of our product.
In November 1959, Donald Kirkpatrick published a series of seminal articles on training evaluation in the ‘Journal of the ASTD’. In the fifty years since, his thoughts (Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results) have gone on to evolve into the legendary Kirkpatrick’s Four Level Evaluation Model and become the basis on which learning & development departments can show the value of training to the business. How has the model evolved over fifty years, is it still relevant? As designers of learning, have we applied the model with Don’s intent?
Selecting an LMS is a challenging task and that’s just because it takes care of an important business function and needs to work well. The web today holds a great deal of information on how to select an LMS, LMS Selection tools, directories of leading LMS systems, sample RFIs, and a whole lot of other very useful and handy information. However it is equally important for the decision makers to know what NOT to do while (before and during) selecting an LMS as many of these things aren’t clearly highlighted elsewhere. More so, the don’ts leave a deeper impression!
The economic meltdown in the last 12-18 months has hit training companies hard. Corporate training budgets have been slashed and travel expenditure has been cut. The pressure on reducing costs has never been greater.
