Learning Management System (LMS)

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. Back to Table of Contents 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. Back to Table of Contents 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. Back to Table of Contents 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. Back to Table of Contents 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. We also recommend this! Also read Back to Table of Contents

What is LMS, its relationship to e-Learning, and its benefits explained LMS (Learning Management System) is a system that facilitates e-learning learning. However, some of you may not know what an LMS is. In this article, we will look at the basics of LMS and the benefits of using it. If you would like to use an LMS in the future, please refer to this article. Table of Contents 1. What is LMS? 2. role of LMS 3. advantages of LMS 4. standardization of LMS by SCORM 5. summary What is LMS? Let's take a look at the reasons for using an LMS and what it has made possible. LMS is indispensable for e-Learning In the past, e-learning involved distributing textbooks, CDs, DVDs, and other learning materials to students and having them study them individually. However, once the materials were distributed, there was no way to track the progress of the students, and in many cases the learning was not effective. However, the introduction of an LMS facilitates e-learning learning management. For example, an LMS enables detailed management, such as tracking the pace of student learning. What the LMS makes possible The LMS not only facilitates the creation, storage, updating, and distribution of learning materials, but also enables the management of detailed learning content, such as grades and areas of weakness. The LMS also makes it easy for administrators to operate and maintain the system. Whether you are a student, instructor, or administrator, the LMS is easy to use and has been transformed to facilitate smooth learning. Role of LMS LMSs support progress management, management of course materials, and smooth communication. Let's take a look at how these three roles can facilitate learning. Progress Management Progress management allows you to manage your study content, study history, and grades. It is also possible to send automatic emails to students to encourage them to study according to their progress. Teaching material management When using the matching system, it is possible to assign appropriate course materials to each student. In addition, the system can manage the delivery of new materials by date and time, which is beneficial to both the student and the administrator. Communication Through the LMS, communication between students and course material creators is possible. One of the roles of the LMS is to create an environment where students can feel free to ask questions and discuss their studies. It can also be used to motivate students by encouraging them to encourage each other. Advantages of LMS The use of an LMS provides benefits to students, instructors, and administrators. Let's take a look at some specifics. Benefits for Students Students will have clear instructions on which material to start and when to start, so they are less likely to get lost in what they are learning. In addition, they will be able to grasp their own progress and areas of weakness, making it easier to create an environment in which they can work toward their goals. Advantages for Instructors Tests are graded automatically, reducing the instructor's time and effort. Individual student grades are also managed as data, making it easier to provide guidance. Advantages for Administrators With an LMS, there is no need to build an e-learning system. This means that you can get started without spending a lot of money or time. It is also more secure and easier to operate and maintain. Standardization of LMS with SCORM SCORM is a standard for standardizing LMS. Let's learn about the role of SCORM. The Role of SCORM The role of SCORM is to set rules for the relationship between LMS and educational materials. By having rules in the standard, it is easier to ensure compatibility even with different LMSs and teaching materials, and it is easier to develop related teaching materials. Conclusion LMS is an indispensable platform for e-learning. The advantage is that it facilitates the creation of teaching materials and grade management without cost and time. In addition, the SCORM standard allows LMSs to be standardized and maintain compatibility. Use an LMS to facilitate e-learning learning. learning BOX provides all the functions for creating and distributing teaching materials, managing grades, and managing students. Anyone can easily build a web-based learning environment. Please try the [Free Plan] first. We also recommend this! What is LMS supporting e-learning [2021]?