Is the question of whose needs take priority in licensing an LMS controversial? Most likely! But it’s a matter that deserves to be addressed. This issue will be explored to determine whose needs should be prioritized in LMS licensing.
An LMS is not designed and licensed for the use of a single team, department, or group of people, as it is considered a corporate or enterprise-level software. Unlike HRMIS (human resource management information system), which is only used by the HR department.
The LMS is utilized by both learners and administrators, who have distinct sets of requirements and expectations from the software.
While some may argue that the needs of either group cannot be prioritized, this article will take a stance. It should be noted that trying to serve two purposes with one solution never works, and as a result, there will always be areas where an LMS falls short, whether it’s for the learners or administrators. Thus, our advice is straightforward: make an informed decision about whose needs are more critical and choose an LMS accordingly.
If you are still eager to know whose needs are of utmost importance, the answer is the learners. This is because the LMS is designed as a platform for learning and training, so the learners’ needs take precedence over those of the administrators.
Many companies enter the LMS market with the goal of transforming the way their employees receive training within the organization.
The primary objective is to:
- Engage employees,
- Provide training,
- Enhance performance,
- Oversee progress.
To attain these objectives, it’s necessary to have an LMS with features that cater to the learners’ needs and support their training. Unfortunately, during the evaluation stage, many prospective buyers overlook the importance of learner-focused features and instead place excessive emphasis on features for administrators.
Very Important remark
For an LMS to be considered suitable for administrators, it must have several key administrative features that are user-friendly and efficient. These features include:
- tools for assessment,
- course creation capabilities,
- support for blended learning,
- SCORM compatibility,
- learning paths,
- video conferencing options,
- mobile learning compatibility,
- automation tools,
- user-friendly interface and user experience design,
- the ability to delegate tasks to sub-administrators,
- a knowledge repository,
- assessment features,
- certification expiration tracking,
- recommendation features.
In summary, an LMS that has the listed administrative features, and a user-friendly interface will suffice for the administrator’s needs. However, the true test of an LMS lies in its ability to engage and train employees effectively. Hence, the focus should be on the learner’s experience and satisfaction with the platform.
Very important remark
When evaluating an LMS, it’s important to consider not just the number of features it offers, but also whether they are geared towards learners or administrators.
Learner-focused features tend to hold more value than those designed for administrators, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind during the selection process.
To get a true sense of how the LMS will perform for learners, it’s recommended to request a demo from the learner’s perspective, try out the learner account yourself, and go through the same steps a learner would.
Conclusion
It’s important to find a well-balanced LMS that caters to both the learner and administrator needs, but the priority should be on the learner-side features. This will make the LMS more appealing to the learners, who are the ultimate focus of the training initiative. Consider your training plan and needs before choosing an LMS and weigh the importance of administrator features based on your strategy. At R8 LMS, we have created an LMS with a learner-focused approach while still providing necessary administrator functions. Our platform is designed to be user-friendly for all types of users by eliminating unnecessary features on both the learner and admin side. To learn more, contact us at [email protected] or book a demo.
