With the increasing adoption of hybrid work comes the rise in popularity of blended learning with Learning Management System (LMS) right at its core.
Learning has gone multi-channel when it comes to media forms and learning modes due to the evolving learner persona, digital transformation, and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to research, 41.7% of companies enjoy significant savings in training costs by implementing LMS.
While many companies realize the benefits and the need to have reliable tools to administer, manage, and promote learning due to their dispersed workforce and changes in work trends, some business leaders still hesitate to invest in a learning platform. Here we debunk five common myths about LMS that might hold you back from adopting this powerful learning solution.
1. LMS solutions are expensive and restrictive.
One of the most common misconceptions about LMS is that it is too costly. You can put a price tag on a learning platform, but you can’t put a price on improved productivity and skills that can directly impact your company’s profitability and bottom line.
LMS is not an additional expense but rather a worthy investment. Many business and HR / Learning leaders commit the mistake of looking at the cost and ignoring the guaranteed Return on Investment (ROI) that it can deliver. Also, it is important to note that these may also come in different pricing models, making them more accessible for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). At APEX Global, we offer several options when it comes to your LMS – tailored open-source tools or feature-packed and future ready learning portal such as Disprz, whatever matches your needs and budget.
2. Employees do not prefer digital or self-paced learning.
Learner engagement is crucial in capturing the attention and motivating your employees to complete training courses – especially in virtual and asynchronous modes. However, contrary to the common belief that staff don’t prefer self-paced learning, engagement increases when they are not bound to a particular time and place to learn.
Through mobile learning, employees get the freedom to learn at their own pace anytime, anywhere, resulting in a 43% increase in productivity levels compared to non-mobile learners. Also, LMS platform providers continuously innovate and improve their solutions’ features and functionality to further enhance the learning experience.
One example is adding a gaming element to boost learner engagement. According to research, 90% of employees say gamification increases their productivity at work. There are also features that allow learners to collaborate and improve the social aspect of learning.
3. LMS works only for large companies.
Because LMS is an innovative way of learning, a common misconception is that it is only for large companies with deep pockets due to the perceived high costs. In reality, small businesses and start-ups have been the most successful in rolling out and optimizing the benefits of an LMS by achieving gains in job readiness, motivation and productivity.
Almost all LMS platforms are deployed on the SaaS (Software as a Service) model which makes the upfront cost next to nil and removes the unwieldy hardware related costs that existed before. Monthly subscriptions, customized price based on user level or intensity of use, pay per use etc. are currently available via tools like Disprz making it fit the needs of today’s agile organizations.
4. LMS can only be used by office-based users.
One of the most significant advantages of integrating a cloud-based LMS solution into your L&D strategy is 24/7 availability. Aside from PCs, modern LMS can be accessed using different devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, making learning possible even for field staff or people on the move.
It allows for greater flexibility and can help learners integrate training into their daily routine because it doesn’t require their physical presence in the office. Consequently, this results in higher completion rates and successful retention of knowledge. The most successful case studies of recent times have included taxi hailing giants, coffee shop chains, banks and other such field based businesses.
5. LMS Implementation is cumbersome and requires high technical expertise.
Modern LMS are extremely user-friendly and easy to get started. The SaaS platforms also provide the ongoing advantage of all upgrades being available at no additional cost or time for deployment.
Today the rollout of a basic LMS for users to have access to existing content can be completed in as little as 1 week, compared to the old school on-premise model that could take months and still have glitches.
The bottom line is irrespective of what solution you choose, an LMS platform is essential to proactively manage and develop the talent at your workplace.
