Why Do We Have an LMS?
Warning, this is a bit of a rant written mostly for my own need in sorting through how I really feel about learning management systems (LMSs). If you work with the average LMS you probably understand.
I have worked numerous different LMSs, some good and some not so good. I don’t think I have used any considered “user-friendly” on either the admin or the user end. Currently, I am getting to know another LMS and trying to be patient with its quirks and illogical design. To give it some credit it is not much quirkier, or designed much worse, than most other LMSs (most are drek). As in the past, once I get used to the peculiarities of the system I am sure I will begin to tolerate it and even be able to do what is needed. However, learning to get it to do what you want it to does take quite a bit of hair pulling and shouting many nasty phrases at it. I also have received great deal of help from my coworkers who also work with the system, in which I am extremely grateful. If you are reading this, thank you.
Now, why the heck do we even use these things? Here are the crazy reasons we keep hearing in the corporate training world.
- “Auditors are going to ask for reports showing everyone took the compliance courses.”
- “We need to give assessments and see that learning occurred.”
- “We need a way for staff to enroll in classroom training.”
- “So staff can access their transcripts.”
- “We have to track EVERYTHING!”
Some of these reasons are valid to a point, but do we really need a cumbersome LMS for all this? First off, we do not need to track everything. We should be more concerned that staff are learning and applying what they learned than if they have the word “completed” next to their name. In the case of assessments it may demonstrate learning, but not the application of what was learned or the results of its application. It is very important that learning occurred, but please do not assume they did anything with it. As far as classroom enrollment and transcripts, I am confident there are cheaper, easier alternatives for those tasks.
Yes, there is some practicality in the fore-mentioned list and I am not naive enough to think we can simply write off the LMS so quickly. And yeah, I know the auditors want to see a report that has the word “completed” next to each person’s name. However, in my perfect world we can offer courses that are accessible outside the LMS and our audience take courses because of their thirst to learn not to get the word “completed” placed next to their name.
For the record, I see the value in having an LMS, but I also see its limitations, hindrances, and how it can be when overused. I guess you could say I have a love-hate relationship with it.
What value do you see in an LMS or what do you see as reasons we do not need one?
Thank you for allowing me to vent on this subject. I have to get back to completing a bulk enrollment and then run a couple of reports.
What’s New in Captivate 5? Twitter, That’s What!
During #LrnChat it was mentioned that Captivate 5 will include integration with Twitter. I think this is good news and a good start for incorporating social media in asynchronous courses. Yes, I do think using social media tools directly for informal learning is a better option in many, if not most situations, but if a “blended” solution is needed then incorporating Twitter into Captivate is now an option. Here is Adobe’s description from their new features page:
In-context learner collaboration via Twitter
Leverage the Twitter widget from Adobe to create courses that let learners collaborate with one another as well as the author by just logging into their Twitter account. They can ask questions, get answers, and access pre-existing discussions. - Adobe.com
Another new feature that catches my eye is hosting, tracking and reporting integration through Acrobat.com
Hosting and collaboration via Acrobat.com
Host published or in-progress eLearning projects on Acrobat.com, an Adobe CS Live online service, and share them with learners and reviewers, who can access them from virtually anywhere. - Adobe.com
Tracking and reporting
Satisfy basic evaluation needs at no extra cost by tracking and reporting key performance metrics, such as average score and pass or fail rates, without having to invest in a Learning Management System. - Adobe.com
Keep in mind it is not nearly as robust as what you will get from loading the course to your LMS, but it may work for those without an LMS and limited reporting needs.
You can read about other top new features along with some video previews here.
Looking for THE SCORM Resource?
Yesterday I attended a SCORM webinar provided by Advance Distributed Learning (ADL). If you do not know the ADL, they are a part of the U.S. Department of Defense and are the producers of SCORM. At the conclusion of the webinar they gave a tour of some of the available resources on their site. These include SCORM documentation, past webinar slides, and content examples, including the files from a Flash example. which you will find listed as “Plug-In Technologies Content Example.” They also provide a test suite. FYI: All of the above are free to download.
If you are working with SCORM on any level, ADLnet.gov is a great “go-to” resource. For additional SCORM resources, I have collected more at http://delicious.com/MinuteBio/scorm
Do you have any great SCORM resources? Please share in the comments section, thanks.
Signals at Purdue U. - Increasing Student Success
To increase the success of their students Purdue University has implemented an intervention system called Signals. It combines predictive modeling and the data mining of their Blackboard Vista system to identify students who are academically at risk. Risk ratings are assigned, integrated with Blackboard and available on the student’s Blackboard homepage. Signals also provides intervention e-mails from instructors and communicates available campus resources to assist the student.
Here is a short video on how Signals works.
Also Purdue’s description: Signals - Stoplights for Student Success
Moodle Demo Site
While searching Moodle.org for ways to learn more about Moodle, I found their demo site. It is a great way to learn and explore this open source LCMS. They provide access to Admin, Teacher, and Student levels, so you can get a good feel for the system’s features as they pertain to each role. And the demo system is erased and restored every hour, allowing you to do whatever you want without any harm. Also, the demo is offered in numerous languages. If you want to learn more about Moodle and like to learn by doing, this will be just the place. Here is the link - http://demo.moodle.org.
How Big is Moodle?
Moodle is getting more and more popular, but just how big is it? I am even starting to hear of more corporations adopting it. My experience has been that companies were weary of using open source software, but that appears to be changing too.
I decided to do some research. Here is what I found from Moodle.org.
Registered validate sites: 56,715
Number of countries: 210
Course: 3,047,685
Users: 32,815,756
Keep in mind, these are only the registered Moodle sites. Pretty impressive numbers!
Merger - OutStart & Hot Lava (Mobile Learning)
OutStart has announced a merger with Hot Lava software. OutStart produces an LCMS and development tools (including TrainerSoft, which was renamed OutStart Trainer). It will be interesting to see where this goes. There are many challenges to m-learning. The ease of getting handhelds to talk to an LMS is one, I am sure they will be getting this down pat with Hot Lava and their LMS. If done well it may even give them some advantage in the m-learning world.
So, here is what they get by buying, I mean merging, with Hot Lava as stated in the press release.
OutStart will make use of Hot Lava’s patent-pending technology to develop, deliver and track mobile content for everything from product training to assessments, surveys, job aids and checklists. OutStart plans to incorporate Hot Lava Mobile capabilities in its social business software and learning systems as well as offer Hot Lava Mobile as a stand-alone solution.
This will be interesting to follow and see its impact on the m-learning world.
