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LMS
GUIDE TO LMS IMPLEMENTATION
Content Type Comparison
konvertapp.com
Table Of Contents INTRODUCTION
What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? CHAPTER 1
What Types of Content Can Be Put in an LMS? CHAPTER 2
LMS Content by Roles and Needs
Human Resource Professional Product Manager Sales Manager CHAPTER 3
Implementing and Evaluating Your LMS Content
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PAGE 3
PAGE 6
PAGE 14 PAGE 15 PAGE 17 PAGE 18
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What is a Learning Management System (LMS)? Online learning, or eLearning, isn’t just for schools anymore.
Organizations are adopting online learning for employee training at an incredible pace. Corporate use of eLearning systems has
grown by a staggering 900% in the last 16 years.* Approximately
77% of U.S. companies now offer online training as a way to improve their employees’ professional development.** And
according to a Brandon-Hall Study, eLearning typically requires
40% to 60% less employee time than learning the same material in a traditional classroom setting because workflow is not
interrupted.*** When you look at the bottom line, it’s not hard to
understand why organizations are turning to eLearning—42% of companies say this method has led to an increase in revenue!***
The old method of corporate training relied on in-person
meetings, seminars and hard-copy documents. Some training
also included testing (typically done at a later date) to evaluate
how well the employee understood and retained the information presented in the training. But this type of training often pulled multiple people away from their jobs, disrupting the daily
workflow and potentially impacting deadlines and revenue.
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Instead of relying on in-person meetings and staff training seminars, online learning provides training on-demand. These courses are
self-guided, easy to use, comprehensive and ready whenever the participant can work training into their schedule.
A Learning Management System (LMS) is the foundation for online
learning programs. These software platforms centralize, implement and measure training using software systems. LMS platforms
compile all the information needed for training into one online
location. Once an LMS is in place, there’s no need to scramble to
get training documents together or worry if the documents reflect the latest information. LMS platforms can be updated at any time to include changes or additional documents. Not only that, LMS
PRO TIP: If your LMS includes DAM platform integration, any changes made to documents will automatically be updated in the LMS— no manual updating across platforms is required!
platforms allow managers to monitor employee training progress, so they know if employee training is on track.
HOW CAN ORGANIZATIONS USE AN LMS? Employee training is the most common use for LMS applications. Within an LMS, courses can be assigned to ensure employees
acquire the right job skills, are informed about product changes, are up-to-date on compliance training, etc.
But many organizations also use their LMS for customer training.
This is especially true for software and technology companies who
need to onboard customers so they can optimize their product use.
The benefit? Ongoing training provides value to customers, and can be a great incentive to choose their product over the competition’s.
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KONVERT™ offers LMS and DAM platforms that integrate seamlessly!
Some firms even use their LMS for training partner businesses,
such as distributors. It can keep them up to date about products and benefits, so they can pass along the information to their customers. It’s a great way to strengthen business relationships.
The digital assets that go into an LMS are the key to the platform’s versatility and usability. Many LMS platforms can be used in
conjunction with Digital Asset Management (DAM) platforms, so
digital assets kept on the DAM platform can be easily downloaded and integrated into training materials within the LMS. In the next
sections of this eBook, we’ll take a closer look at the type of digital documents you can add to an LMS, and how they can be used for a variety of applications.
* Lernosity.com ** Designingdigitally.com *** Shiftelearning.com
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1 CHAPTER 1
What Types of Content Can Be Put in an LMS?
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CHAPTER
1
The types of content you can put in an LMS is limited only by your
imagination—and of course, what your platform can accommodate. Text content, such as word documents, is still a basic training
element and the backbone of many organizations’ LMS asset library. But those documents are frequently supplemented with more dynamic content, such as: IMAGES
Images, such as photos, diagrams or illustrations, can help the reader visualize the message. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.
LMS APPLICATION
Use images to accompany a description or as a part of a visual clue
in a quiz question. (For instance, you could include an image with an
accompanying question that reads, “Name three items that need to be changed on this employee’s uniform.”)
VIDEOS
Videos are especially effective for demonstrating a process, such as how something is put together. LMS APPLICATION
Videos are excellent additions for how-to type training instructions.
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CHAPTER
1
WEBINARS
Webinars (originally called “web seminars”) are workshops held over the Internet. They can be presentations, discussions,
demonstrations or other instructional sessions and are usually presented by an “expert” on the subject. LMS APPLICATION
Webinars can have many uses on an LMS, and while most webinars
are initially “live,” recorded webinars are effective for initial training or reference. They can be especially useful for training business
partners or customers about the benefits of a product or service.
SLIDE (POWERPOINT) PRESENTATIONS
Slide, or PowerPoint, presentations usually include a presenter
speaking to an audience, while the content on the slides holds the listener’s attention and adds visual information. LMS APPLICATION
Slide presentations can be a solid training tool even without a live
presenter. You can add audio of the presenter to the slides, or add
copy to the slides to include the important information. The visual content of the slide makes the learning experience much more
memorable than copy alone. Slide presentations for sales, (also
known as “sales decks”) can be an indispensable addition to a sale team’s LMS.
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CHAPTER
1
PODCASTS
A podcast is a digital audio file made available on the Internet for
downloading to a computer or mobile device. Podcasts are typically available as a series. LMS APPLICATION
Podcasts are useful for general training (they’re handy because
you can listen to them on your commute, while you’re exercising— anywhere or anytime you’d listen to music). But making podcasts available for your partner businesses or customers via your LMS could add support value to your product or service.
FORUMS
In a traditional sense, a forum is a public medium (such as a
newspaper column) or a place used for debates in which anyone can participate. In a digital sense, forums are Internet sites where ideas can be discussed or solutions to issues can be posted. LMS APPLICATION
Forums have had longstanding success with online college courses.
Users can participate in question/answer sessions and discussions. If your organization is large or spread out among several locations (e.g. hospitals managed under one health care system), a forum would be a particularly useful tool for onboarding and employee communication.
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CHAPTER
1
NEWS/SOCIAL FEEDS
Every day there are new industry developments, research reports,
case studies, product launches and articles. Providing learners with new and updated content like this is part of a continuous learning
process. Some LMS platforms include plug-ins that will automatically update the LMS with relevant or “curated” information—information that you give permission for uploading. LMS APPLICATION
Say, for instance, you included a course on leadership for an LMS
management platform. You could set your LMS to include articles about leadership from certain online sites, the top 40 blogs about leadership or leadership articles shared by certain influencers on social media sites.
EXAMS/QUIZZES
Exams or quizzes are an educational staple. Online or in the
classroom, they’re used to reinforce the information presented in the course and to test the participant’s knowledge about it. LMS APPLICATION
Exams and quizzes are an effective addition to an LMS platform, and
many platforms offer a variety of question/answer types (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in). If employees require exams as part of their
job certification, an LMS can provide a convenient venue for testing.
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CHAPTER
1
GAMES
No one can argue about the incredible popularity of video games.
But did you know they can be used to enhance eLearning? Adding a gaming facet to online training can capture participants’ attention,
challenge them, engage and entertain them and, most important of all, teach them.*
LMS APPLICATION
Adding a gaming experience to a quiz or exam may better engage the participant, providing a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
INFOGRAPHICS
Infographics are a visual image, such as a chart or diagram, that is
used to represent information or data. They help explain a complex concept or provide visual clues to support information. LMS APPLICATION
You can add infographics to any text on your LMS (copy, research studies, slides, etc.) to make it interesting and impactful.
* Elearningindustry.com
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CHAPTER
1
SCREEN CAPTURES
A screen capture is a static image of what is showing on a computer screen.
LMS APPLICATION
Screen captures are particularly useful for technical training because they show exactly what’s on a screen instead of relying on written descriptions.
BLOGS
“Blog” is an abbreviated version of “weblog,” which is an ongoing series of articles and information. Blogs are often featured on
website pages and usually include links to other online sources that support the information they present. LMS APPLICATION
Blogs can be useful for a wide variety of LMS elements. They can be added to training courses to enhance learning, of course. But blogs
that discuss your product, service or industry can be added to a sales LMS, or one that is shared with a partner or customer.
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CHAPTER
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EBOOKS
An eBook (like the one you’re reading now) is an “electronic book,”
which is a digital version of a written manuscript. eBooks consist of
text, images or both. And they can be read on computers, tablets and most mobile devices. LMS APPLICATION
eBooks are ideal for just about any LMS application. Because they
can be opened on most devices, they’re a convenient way to present training material, especially if it’s lengthy and/or detailed. And, of course, they can be printed if needed.
What if your organization doesn’t have an extensive archive of digital assets? That’s not a problem. Many eLearning companies offer off-
the-shelf training materials that you can add to your platform. If you
need specialized training content—and your LMS platform allows for course creation—you can develop it yourself or find a firm that can develop it for you.
What you put in your LMS depends upon who will be using it, and
what they’ll be using it for. In the next few pages, we’ll offer some recommendations for LMS content based upon career roles.
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PRO TIP: Keep the chapters in your eBook short, readable and easy to digest. Break up the text with graphics to add interest and make it visually appealing.
2 CHAPTER 2
LMS Content by Roles and Needs
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CHAPTER
2
LMS platforms are like the Swiss army knives of business training— they’re one handy device that can hold many different tools for a wide variety of applications.
When it comes to determining what you should put in your LMS,
you’ll need to examine who’ll be using it and how they’ll be using it. Employee training is still the most popular use for an LMS. But the
flexibility of these systems makes them useful for other applications. Most LMS content is unique to an organization, but we’ll explore
some possible configurations based upon typical roles and needs of company. Use these as idea starters to see what an LMS can do for you!
LMS CONTENT FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE #1: Charlotte is a human resources manager at Ursal Products—a
completely mythical, but highly successful, software manufacturer. Her organization is adding a new product and will need to increase staff to keep up with demand. Charlotte will be in charge of
onboarding a new team of employees, and she wants to make sure they’re well informed and confident in their new roles. THE SOLUTION: The content in Charlotte’s LMS library would be targeted to
the needs of the new employees. It could include background
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CHAPTER
2
information about the company as well as company policy and administrative details. Her LMS library included the following: •
•
Welcome video from the
•
Corporate and staff calendar
the staff
•
Employee Handbook
company president and
‒‒ Acknowledgement that
Product images and
the employee has read the
company logos
•
Company videos
•
Annual reports
•
Press releases and links to media articles
handbook •
Benefits documents ‒‒ Includes sign-up sheet
•
Staff directory
THE RESULT: New employees have a self-guided overview of the company that
they can view at their convenience, usually during the first few days on the job. The content collection is comprehensive and includes the necessary employment documentation. It directs them not
only through the background of the company, but also through the
documents they need to complete and submit. Charlotte can easily
see on her LMS manager’s dashboard which employees have signed and submitted the documentation, and which need a reminder nudge from her.
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PRO TIP: For ideas on how to create a successful onboarding program, download the eBook 6 Elements of a Successful Employee Onboarding Process from KONVERT™.
CHAPTER
2
LMS CONTENT FOR THE PRODUCT MANAGER CHALLENGE #2: Paul is the product manager for the new software at Ursal Products. He not only has a new product to manage, he will have a whole new
staff dedicated to it. Paul wants to make sure his new employees are completely knowledgeable about every aspect of the product and
its market. But since many have client contact, he also wants them trained in customer service techniques. THE SOLUTION: Paul’s LMS library would be typical of a corporate training platform. It would include: •
Product handbooks
•
Industry blogs
•
Product videos
•
Research reports
•
Screen captures
•
Competitive analysis
•
Troubleshooting guides
•
Product knowledge
•
Customer service training
•
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and eBooks
Podcasts about software in that market
sheets
quizzes
PowerPoint presentations
CHAPTER
2
THE RESULT: Paul can now monitor the training progress and product knowledge of his staff through quiz results that are visible on his dashboard. Plus, he can add updates to his training whenever new product
information comes out. Employees that complete the training are
given Certified Product Specialist status (along with a bit of swag). Paul no longer has a staff of employees—he has a staff of Product Ambassadors! THE BONUS: With just a few modifications, Paul’s LMS content worked as
an eLearning platform for the company’s distributors, too. The
distributors will have access to the latest product information, which they can pass along to customers.
LMS CONTENT FOR THE SALES MANAGER CHALLENGE #3: Chris is the national sales manager for Ursal Products. Customer
inquiries about the new product line are heating up his sales team’s chat support channel, and he needs to make sure they have the answers to customers’ questions.
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CHAPTER
2
THE SOLUTION: Chris put together a comprehensive training program for his sales
team through the LMS. His training library features product-specific content, such as:
Product handbooks
•
Product webinars
•
Sales decks/presentations
•
Competitive analysis
•
Sell sheets
•
Videos
•
White papers
•
Digital brochures
•
Research findings
•
Advertisements
•
•
sheets
media articles
to speed on their product knowledge, including the latest news and updates, so he added: •
Product knowledge quizzes
•
Acknowledgement that the sales rep has read each piece LMS
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training content—and your LMS platform allows for course
creation—you can
develop it yourself or find a firm that can develop it for you.
Press releases and links to
Chris wanted to verify that every member of his sales team was up
information (a check-off box)
If you need specialized
KONVERT™ can create engaging and effective training content for your LMS.
CHAPTER
2
Plus, he wanted his team to be knowledgeable about Ursal and to
understand the best techniques for working with clients. So, his LMS library also includes: •
Company videos
•
Annual reports
•
Sales podcasts
•
Sales training PowerPoint presentations
THE RESULT: Chris knows that his sales team is fully trained on all the products, providing customers with the right information and correctly
answering their questions. Chris’s LMS dashboard includes quiz
results and acknowledgement that the rep viewed their documents, so he’ll be able to gauge each team member’s area of strength, their level of participation and where they may need additional help.
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3 CHAPTER 3
Implementing and Evaluating Your LMS Content
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CHAPTER
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An LMS can be a great training tool. But don’t think of it as a one-time project. As your organization grows and its needs change, so should
your LMS. Add, delete or modify information as needed. Review it on a regular basis to make sure the information it contains is still relevant. And evaluate who is using it, and how they’re using it. You may find uses for your LMS that you never considered.
Finally, connect with employees using the LMS and get their opinions
and ideas. Does the information apply to their job? Is it easy to follow? Do they have any suggestions for improvement? Their suggestions can help keep your LMS up to date and easy to use.
Remember, what you put in to your LMS is what your employees will
get out of it. Keep it comprehensive, keep it current, keep it usable and you’ll keep it effective.
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About KONVERT KONVERT™ is a subscription-based, single-source SaaS solution for businesses’ digital data needs. Our specialties include Digital
Asset Management (DAM), Learning Management System (LMS), Consultative Sales Apps, Business Portals (intranet) and custom digital TV. KONVERT is professional problem solver that helps
organizations streamline, manage, store and share their digital data.
Contact KONVERT today. We can solve problems you never even knew you had. konvertapp.com
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