4 Steps for Successful eLearning Implementation

4 Steps for Successful eLearning ImplementationAfter calculating your potential return on investment of an learning management system (LMS), it is time to take the plunge.

Once you know a LMS is the best software for your workplace, you can begin implementing the system into your training program.

Make sure to ask important questions regarding the implementation like:

  • Is there a fee for implementation services?
  • How long will it take and what do you need from me?
  • Do you offer professional services to handle the entire process?
  • What training, customer service and other resources do you offer to help ease the transition?

There may be more questions to ask as well relative to your needs and how your organization is structured. Think the process through before pulling the trigger to avoid any complications.

An implementation plan is important for a new LMS. To ensure you eLearning initiative is successful, it is valuable to consider design, compatibility, features, and an evaluation process.

Design

It is ideal to customize an eLearning atmosphere for your audience. An LMS design that is easy-to-navigate can make the training process simple for all users and administrators. The user interface should be clean and simple without an overload of useless features and the need for scroll down long pages.

Most LMS providers will provide branding and minor style customization to best match your current intranet or webpage.  It helps to appear as seamless as possible for the user’s experience.

Compatibility

One of the chief reasons to implement an eLearning system is to make training material accessible to employees at any time. Today’s users will want to have access to the system when they need it and this may mean mobile access. Checking the use of any system on multiple devices is something to consider before any decision to proceed is made.

One way to quickly review compatibility is look for learning management systems that are SCORM certified.  This is an industry standard for eLearning content to be easily deployed within an LMS.  Not all systems are certified, so save yourself the headache and go with a system that you know will handle your valuable content.

Lastly, remember to review your integration needs. You may need to think about Single Sign-on (SSO) and API integrations that will make everything connect easily with existing systems.

Features

While face-to-face communications is an aspect of the virtual classroom, a lot of self-directed learning is required. Such an independent program can be assisted with eLearning modules that are designed to fit the learning styles and preferences of each group.

A new LMS will offer a number of features you can implement in order to ease the training process. However, it is important to apply only the features that aid eLearning. Too many features can overwhelm your remote learners.  Use an LMS that is focused on your specific needs and provides the necessary tolls to achieve your learning management goals.

The right combination of features will depend on your unique needs. Make sure to review the administration features as well. You need a system that works for your users AND will be easy to manage, run reports, upload content, and other critical tasks that will need to be completed regularly with your eLearning program.

Evaluate

Once you have your new LMS operating, it is time to collect feedback from trainers and trainees. By conducting a short survey, you can evaluate how the features, compatibility, and design are useful to everyone involved.

Define your goals. Set up regular reporting timelines to track performance to key business indicators.

Showing these results to company decision makers may raise their confidence in the new software and make the return on investment apparent. This feedback may also grow your awareness of changes that could optimize use of your new LMS.

Feeling equipped to integrate a learning management system can help you approach this implementation phase with confidence. Before choosing your LMS, consider getting  a demo of the program.  Also, make sure any solution you are reviewing is 100% straight-forward with the total cost of their system. User costs, storage costs, implementation fees, customer services fees and more should all be included in the equation to figure out the value on any eLearning program

TOPYX® social LMS is an award-winning social learning management system that offers free, personal demos at your request.  TOPYX also has no per user fees or fees for storage. The complete pricing list is publically available at http://interactyx.com/lms-pricing/ which is one reason why over 10 million users trust TOPYX.

With these tools at your fingertips, the decision is easy. You can begin implementing your LMS training program today.

Jeffrey A. Roth
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
[email protected]

Interactyx Limited
interactyx.com

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