Is a free LMS practical? Explaining how to install and what to look out for
2022.02.21
An LMS is a system that allows in-house training and learning to be completed entirely online, and more and more companies are adopting such systems in recent years. Among them, many managers and educators would like to adopt a free LMS in order to reduce costs.
In this article, we will explain the advantages of adopting an LMS, how to adopt a free LMS, and points to note; if you are interested in enhancing your educational system with an LMS, please continue reading to the end.
Table of Contents
01What is LMS?
02Merits of Implementing an LMS in a Company
Management
Educators
Trainees' side
03How to implement a free LMS
Choose a free system or service
Develop your LMS system in-house
Develop using open source
04Points to keep in mind when implementing a free LMS
Check the number of users
Check the period of use
Check the functions
05Try the free version of LMS as a test!
What is LMS?
LMS is an abbreviation for "Learning Management System. In Japanese, it is called a learning management system. It has a role as a portal site where contents such as textbooks and videos for students to study are managed, and is useful for managing learning of a large number of students.
LMS is provided as an online service using a browser or a dedicated application. A single LMS has many functions, and the variety of functions available varies from system to system.
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Advantages for Companies to Implement an LMS
LMSs are being introduced in a variety of fields and offer many advantages, such as the ability to learn at any time and place and cost savings. Many people may want to know other specific advantages of implementing an LMS.
Here, we will introduce the advantages of LMS implementation by user, i.e., management, educators, and students.
Management
The major advantage for management is the possibility of reducing various costs related to learning. In particular, training costs incurred by gathering a large number of trainees, such as the cost of the venue, rewards for lecturers, and transportation and lodging for trainees, can be substantial, but with an LMS, all of these costs can be eliminated because the training can be completed online.
For educators
The advantage for educators involved in the actual operation of the LMS is that it facilitates the management of student learning progress. Since various student data is stored in the cloud, information can be managed centrally and learning history and course status can be monitored in detail.
The ability to take individualized action according to the progress of each student is a major advantage. Specifically, the system will be able to provide pinpoint advice on each student's weak areas, allowing them to focus on those areas for improvement. The precise feedback according to the situation will also lead to increased motivation for the trainees.
On the participant's side
The advantage for students is that they can study at their own discretion at any time. If the content is not being delivered live, they can use the LMS to study according to their own schedule. Using a smartphone or tablet, students can use their spare time to study while commuting to and from work.
Another major advantage is that the quality of the content is always consistent, regardless of the instructor's ability. The appeal of an LMS is that not only is there no difference in the content, but you can also select the materials according to your own level and brush up on what you have learned.
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How to Implement an LMS for Free
Many business owners are thinking, "I want to use an LMS, but I want to keep costs as low as possible." Here we will explain how to implement an LMS for free.
Choose a free system or service
Now that LMS and e-learning content are available, a variety of systems and services have been released by various companies. Most of the services are fee-based, but there are some services that allow you to use some of the content for free, which can be an effective way to take advantage of them.
In such cases, the number of people, time period, and available content may be limited, so advance research is recommended.
Developing an LMS system in-house
Another way to eliminate external costs is to develop your own LMS. By allocating your own resources to develop an LMS, you can freely build a system that meets your objectives and uses.
However, it is necessary to launch a somewhat large project to define requirements, formulate specifications, develop, and operate the system. It should also be noted that the system is not completely free, as development costs must also be taken into consideration.
Development using open source
If you want to make the operation cost free by developing the software in-house without using other companies' services, development using open source is also recommended. Since the base platform is already available, even if you lack technical skills, you can develop with a certain level of skill.
In this case, choose a highly secure platform based on the characteristics of open source software, which can be freely edited and shared by anyone. This is a very important item from the viewpoint of preventing damage caused by malware.
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What to Consider When Implementing a Free LMS
Although many partially free LMSs have been released, you may face unexpected problems if you do not understand the precautions to take when introducing a free LMS.
To ensure smooth operation, please review the following precautions before introducing a free LMS.
Confirm the number of people who can use the system
Most free LMSs have a limit to the number of people who can use the system. The number of users varies from service to service, but most do not support a large number of users (10 or more), so they are not suitable for use by companies of a certain size.
It is advisable to check in advance how many people the system can accommodate.
Check the period of use.
When using a free LMS, it is also important to check the usage period. Some LMSs are only free for one month, so if you fail to check, you may end up paying a monthly fee after you sign the contract and find out that there is a fee.
Make sure to check in advance how long you can use the service for free.
Check the functions
When introducing a free LMS, make sure that it has functions that match your company's objectives and uses. Select the LMS that best suits your company's needs.
Also, which devices, such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones, are supported by the system will also vary. We recommend that you also consider the learning environment for your students before selecting a system.
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Try a Free Version of the LMS as a Test
Many companies are using LMSs to facilitate student learning. Although there are some limitations in terms of functionality and duration, why not try a free LMS first as a test? After you determine that it is practical, you can proceed to consider whether or not you should spend the money.
With our LMS "learningBOX", almost all functions can be used indefinitely and free of charge for up to 10 accounts. Anyone can use it easily, so please feel free to start with a free trial.
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