The digital revolution has revolutionised almost every area of our lives. The tools we now have available to us have helped to make most tasks easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. These facts are just as true in the classroom as they are everywhere else. Schools, colleges, universities and training centres now have access to a wide range of educational solutions that can make lessons run more smoothly. Cloud based educational software and eLearning platforms can have a big impact on how successful learning experiences are, as well as to the general job satisfaction for teaching and support staff. Learning content management systems (LCMS) and learning management systems (LMS) can be particularly beneficial educational solutions in this context.
What are learning content management systems (LCMS) and learning management systems (LMS)?
Learning content management systems (LCMS) and learning management systems (LMS) are types of cloud based eLearning platforms. They are designed to make the educational process easier and more accessible to both staff and students.
LCMS are cloud based educational solutions that speed up the learning resource creation process. They can also allow teachers to more productively build courses and track their success.
LMS are cloud based educational solutions designed to distribute course content to learners. These type of eLearning platforms offer everyone involved in the process a virtual learning environment that can be accessed from within the classroom, or from wherever they happen to be. They can be hugely helpful within blended learning programmes as well as for courses that are taught solely online.
The benefit of these educational solutions and eLearning platforms being cloud based is that users do not have to download any software onto their own devices in order to access them.
Is an LCMS or an LMS right for you?
If you’re not sure whether an LCMS or LMS is right for your learning organisation, there are a few key questions to ask.
- Do you want to be able to easily build your own course content and resources?
- Then, do you need a digital home to store these resources?
- Do you want to have access to high quality content templates?
- Do you need a virtual learning environment for your students?
- And do you want to be able to host virtual classroom learning?
The answers to these questions should inform your decision on whether you need a LCMS or LMS.
A learning content management system (LCMS) is right for you if… you want to be able to design and build course content with the help of high quality resources and templates.
A learning management system (LMS) is right for you if… you want to develop an online learning space where your students can study, learn and communicate.
How could these kinds of eLearning platforms save your teachers time?
One of the key benefits of cloud based educational solutions such as eLearning platforms is that they make educational processes far easier to manage for the teachers.
In particular, a learning content management system (LCMS) or learning management system (LMS) could save teachers a great deal of time that would have had to spend on administrative tasks. The time eLearning platforms save teachers from doing admin, they can then use for more valuable activities, such as student engagement.
How do eLearning platforms save teachers time?
#1. They make content creation far easier
Building good quality course content and resources can be incredibly time consuming. A learning content management system (LCMS) counteracts this by doing a lot of the leg work for teachers.
When an educational organisation invests in an LCMS, they allow their teachers access to a huge selection of content, templates and inspiration. Teachers no longer need to spend hours searching for this kind of content on the internet: they can find it all in one easily accessible place.
#2. They can automate assessment
Assessment is a vital part of the learning process, but keeping track of it has traditionally been very time consuming. Teachers can sometimes find it difficult to keep up to date with marking, and this repetitive work can sap their time and energy for classroom engagement.
One of the key benefits of learning management system (LMS) eLearning platforms is that they offer automated assessments; so the marking can be done instantly by the software as soon as a student takes the test.
#3. They offer incredible analytics
Data can tell you a lot about how well students are performing. Educational solutions that can help maximise these benefits are particularly valuable.
eLearning platforms use data gleaned from automatic assessments and revision activities to show how well each individual learner is performing, as well as and overall trends from the group as a whole.
These kinds of analytics can show teachers at a glance where groups of students are struggling and where they are thriving; giving them key information that can inform class schedules and revision programmes.
Want to explore more of these benefits? Take a look at the full feature list for Voluxion Pro eLearning platforms.