Technology has transformed teaching, training, and skill development. E-learning has been in the market for 22 years now. Corporates have used it through software and tools like learning management systems (LMS) for years. Statistics reveal that 42% of the companies using e-learning solutions have seen revenue growth with higher employee productivity and retention. Also, 72% of organizations admit that e-learning gave them a competitive edge.
Corporate e-learning has grown by a whopping 900% between 2001 and 2017.
Despite these benefits, a shocking fact comes forward. Many organizations are still stuck with traditional approaches. They are not convinced to implement e-learning solutions or a Learning Management System. To overcome e-learning challenges, we first need to see where the gaps are. Here is a graph that shows the percentage of LMS implementation and usage across various industry verticals.
Source: Capterra (https://www.capterra.com/learning-management-system-software/user-research)
The graph makes it clear that the use of e-learning solutions among major industry verticals is extremely low. This is surprising. Learning management systems were introduced more than 15 years ago. Yet only a bare minimum of organizations have considered them for the skill development needs of their staff.
The big question is this. Why do businesses pull back from e-learning solutions despite such exceptional growth prospects? The simple answer is “CHALLENGES.”
10% of the organizations find it challenging to Scale their LMS Platform.
27% of the organizations face challenges with LMS due to Lack of Knowledge.
27% of the organizations find it challenging to Integrate their Systems with LMS.
36% of the organizations find it challenging to measure their ROI from LMS.
These challenges are a big roadblock for e-learning solutions and Learning Management Systems. Without a doubt, an LMS takes learning far beyond the traditional classroom. It brings education, training, and courses to your fingertips. However, you cannot overlook the challenges that stop organizations from adopting these solutions.
Moreover, if you ignore these challenges, your organization cannot take the full benefit of e-learning. So we made a critical analysis of the challenges above. We also list solutions that make e-learning more sustainable, scalable, and profitable.
Challenges in implementation of LMS and how to overcome them
Inability to scale the LMS platform
In a survey, 10% of the organizations said that the inability to scale the LMS platform is a major challenge. As the organization grows, it needs more features, better modules, more courses, and so on. The LMS needs to keep pace with the growth of the organization and with modern technology. If not, the learning experience suffers. This is an issue with proprietary LMS software. It cannot keep up because of limitations and compatibility issues.
“Replace the proprietary LMS with an open source LMS.”
Open source technology has unlimited ability to scale. The original source code is freely available, so you can change it to fit your requirements. This gives you the flexibility to add features and functions. You usually do this with plugins and extensions. Countless plugins add advanced functions to LMS software, such as interactive video content, virtual reality, and automation.
With the limitless possibilities of open source software, the scalability you need for LMS and e-learning solutions comes freely and readily.
Lack of knowledge
In 27% of the organizations, people have no idea how to use the LMS. Even if they learn the basics, there is a vast difference between using software and getting the best out of it. Onboarding is often easy. However, the extra cost of education and learning support can be far too high. Making the best use of an LMS takes technical skills and knowledge that organizations generally lack.
“Find a service provider that includes ongoing education and training for use of the LMS in its package.” This is an easy way out. It could be difficult, but it is not impossible. Many service providers specialize in developing Learning Management Systems. They also provide ongoing education and training, so you get the best from the software.
System integration issues
An organization rarely uses just one e-learning solution or LMS. You also use other systems and software, and you need to sync them with the LMS. This can be a major challenge, even with the most basic LMS software. For example, you need to make the courses compatible with the LMS. It becomes harder as you move to more complex systems such as e-commerce and analytics integrations. It can require a lot of manual labor and time. Additionally, it can hurt the user experience significantly.
“Implement fully integrated Learning Management Systems.”
Fully integrated LMS products exist that remove this challenge. However, you need to look into your specific needs before you choose one. First, consider your objectives. Then prepare a list of the features and system integrations you require. After that, invest in the implementation and use of the LMS.
Inability to measure return on investment (ROI)
As an organization, your focus is on returns. You want to create the most value for every investment. However, 36% of organizations say they cannot measure their ROI from learning management systems. Measuring both the quantitative and the qualitative return from e-learning is always a challenge. As a result, it is often difficult to justify the budget.
“Use analytics and reporting to track progress and ROI.”
Technology has advanced, and analytics and reporting functions exist for almost everything. You can easily track the quantitative and qualitative progress of your e-learning solutions. This makes it much easier to manage the ROI. You can also use these reports to plan the improvements that drive future growth.
Conclusion: overcome e-learning challenges with the right LMS
E-learning is on the rise, and organizations keep benefiting from it. With e-learning solutions, 42% of organizations have enhanced their revenue, and employee engagement has risen by as much as 18%. The statistics also reveal that every one dollar invested in e-learning solutions can return up to $30 through increased productivity.
Learning Management Systems give organizations a competitive edge. In fact, 72% of organizations using such solutions say so.
The technology does have its challenges, but there are easy solutions to overcome them. If the challenges of an LMS keep you on the back foot, you have now found the solutions to the major ones. So, what are you waiting for? Get a Learning Management System now to use technology and drive growth and revenue.
If you are looking for a service provider or an LMS developer, we can help. We at Zehntech have expertise in creating learning management systems and other e-learning solutions. In fact, we have one implemented in our own organization as well. Find more details about our custom software solutions.
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