Emergence of Online Learning Management System(LMS)
According to Wikipedia, a Learning Management System is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs. Simply put, it is a software used for facilitating e-learning. LMS software can be used by organization for training employees or by schools, colleges or any other educational institute to facilitate learning. LMS has been steadily growing in market cap and user it has reached so far. Partly fueled by the growth of digital learning and adoption of mobile learning in the last decade to the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) interventions, the LMS has, over the years, evolved to become a major part of organizations and their training strategies.
The ongoing pandemic has forced many activities to be conducted online. From big institutions to small coaching centers all are trying to adopt some kind of LMS for providing the best possible learning experience in remote scenarios. According to Valuates Report of 2019, the market size of Online LMS is expected grow from 9.46 billion USD to 29.9 billion USD by 2025. In this blog, we will look at hsitory of LMS, some of the leading LMS software and some market disruptors in LMS which aim to help home tutors and.
Market Analysis
For more than a year many educational institutes are operating online. This has increased the demand for online management system drastically. These LMS can be categorized in two broad types by usage – used by an organization (like university, schools, coaching institutes) and used by individuals or small groups of educators. According to Valuates Report of 2019, the market size of Online LMS is expected grow from 9.46 billion USD to 29.9 billion USD by 2025. With the ongoing pandemic and classes shifting to online mode, this prediction might come true much early.
Some of the key players of LMS for organizations are –
- Adobe Systems
- TalentLMS
- DoceboLMS
- Litmos
- Trivantis
- WizIQ
- Mindflash
- SchoolKeep
- Latitude Learning LMS
- SAP
A research has also pointed out that many students might prefer online learning management systems over in person classes. There can be various reasons for it like – flexible schedule , on demand classes, course not offered remotely etc. the following graph shows main reason for students preferring e-learning using LMS more than ever.
Brief History of LMS
PLATO was a computer-based training program which facilitated self-paced learning, allowing learners to monitor their own learning progress. However, what set PLATO apart was that it gave the learning community its first taste of social/collaborative learning. Thanks to its host of networks, learners could interact with other learners using instant chat/messaging, email, and chat rooms. Another ambitious LMS software was MIT’s project Athena it enabled students and professors alike to upload and access their studying materials from anywhere on the campus.
The first open-source LMS, Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) was introduced. With Moodle, learners could start learning as soon as they downloaded the application onto their desktops. Personalized learning was made possible by letting learners choose the content they wished to store or export. Moodle’s plug-and-play functionality meant that training content could be delivered to the learner faster and at less cost. In fact Moodle is still used by many universities and colleges to take online assessments and quizzes.
The online learning management systems have been added to with many features making it suitable for modern learners of today. Some of the key changes in these softwares are –
- Deliver wide variety of materials to learn from, which contains not only textual materials but also videos to further enhance learning experience.
- Make online learning more compitive by introduction of games, leader boards, badges etc.
- Discussion forums where students can discuss their doubts to gain better understanding of the concerned topics
- Showing visualizers like graphs, colormaps to show learners their progress on a given course.
Best LMS software
– Adobe Systems
It is one of the industry favorite LMS for on boarding by many big companies. Some companies which use LMS are – Domino’s, GE Healthcare, Dassault Systems, Publicis Groupem, Adobe etc. It can be used for Extended enterprise and partner training to upgrade skills and drive effectiveness for partner organizations. It can also be used for customer education and sales ennoblement. It has been ranked in top 10 of many LMS surveys. Its pricing is around $4 USD per user per year. Discounts are applied on increase in volume.
– Talent LMS
With about 70,000+ teams using this LMS, it provides for an all-in-one solution for business looking to build training programs that will make their teams more efficient. It also provides “forever free” accounts, obviously with limited capabilities. It provides with features such as setting up training without manuals, always available on cloud training. It is good for organizations with budget constraints as well. Talent LMS has gained ground as the easiest-to-use, most cost-effective solution.
– SAP
SAP litmos Training is another award winning LMS that can be implemented as a standalone solution or in combination with a robust course library. It provides free trial accounts and have a lof of features which helps in rapid deployment and integration, task automation, online course builder and content management, tracking and reporting etc. It is easily extended to customers and partners as well, providing the ideal learning solution for the extended enterprise. Similar to adobe pricing it starts with $4 USD per month.
– Schoology
This LMS combines instructional tools, assessments, collaborative features, discussion forums and advanced analytic to deliver best learning experience. This is highly suited for educational institutes like schools and colleges. Within the system, teachers can develop and distribute course materials, facilitate discussions, assign tests and quizzes, and even give parents visibility into their child’s progress. Teacher can also leverage community features which enables teachers to discuss among themselves. This software can be accessed on mobile apps as well as a website, which makes it even more reachable to learners and educators.
Schoology provides basic accounts for instructors and enterprise accounts for schools and colleges.
LMS specifically for individuals and private tutors
Tough private tutors can use a host of free apps like zoom, google meet, Skype (to video conference with students) and emails, whatsapp, telegram etc. for sharing notes. There are few specialized software which aim at providing best possible experience for tutor as well as the student. They enable students to learn comfortably and conveniently and also increase reach of tutors from being restricted to a city to being able to teach anyone with an internet access. This section takes a look at some widely used mobile friendly LMS targeted specifically at serving private tutors needs.
– Tutor room
Tutor room offers for full management system as well as more basic virtual classroom and LMS (learning management system). The backend system is where you sign in and enables you to create tutor or student accounts, schedule classes, and upload lessons. Tutor room is great as it is easy and free to create an account and its system uploads up to 20 Mbs lessons in many formats.
– Tutorplace
Tutorplace is considered a very convenient tutoring management system. The system provides online tutoring services in accounting, economics, chemistry, math, biology, physics and English. You can connect to Tutorplace tutors from anywhere and anytime you need help. Tutorplace tutors utilize an interactive whiteboard in teaching you step by step on your questions or topics you need assistance. The great thing is that tutors are available 24/7.
Conclusion
It is also found that many student prefer online LMS rather than schools and colleges for upskilling. Platforms which provide on demand learning like Udemy, Coursera and Byju’s to name a few are rapidly increasing their customers. They provide 24 hr access to courses making it more attractive for people preferring flexible schedule. The given pandemic has given a boost to online learning management systems. Many schools and university which previously relied only on pen and paper for learning management have been forced to adopt to the technology. In this pandemic they have proved to be life line for students.
Need Help?
If you need help in picking a learning management system rigtht for your organization contact us at contact@quantiantech.com or on our LinkedIn page or visit our company website, www.quantiantech.com
References
- https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-4A225/on-demand-learning-management-system
- https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-37N2458/covid-19-impact-on-global-learning
- https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0T2839/covid-19-impact-on-global-learning
- https://elearningindustry.com/the-best-learning-management-systems-top-list
- https://tutorroom.net/en/online-tutoring/best-online-tutoring-management-systems/