Learning comes in different forms. Many people are used to the traditional learning methods that involve the presence of both the teacher and the learners. However, things have taken a different shape since the introduction of the Learning Management System, otherwise called an LMS.

Teaching or tutoring has not only been made easy but evaluation of the learning outcome has also been simplified. The most intriguing aspect of using a Learning Management System is that both the tutor and the learner can now streamline the teaching and learning process. Both parties can now manage their time and set feasible learning outcomes and expectations.

In this article, you will learn more about what a Learning Management System is, its history, features, trends, advantages, as well as how a learning management system works.

What is a Learning Management System (LMS)?

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a web-based technology or software application that allows for the easy planning, automation, delivery, administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of a specific learning process.

While the concept of a learning management system may be confusing, it is actually simple. The general idea is to simplify the learning process to create achievable outcomes at the end of the learning process.

A couple of explanations would suffice to make this understood more.

First, a Learning Management System is used to plan, automate and deliver a specific learning process. This is done by the tutor or the persons who are looking to create a specific learning process. The learning process is usually educational and can take different forms, such as PDFs, Video Tutorials, or Audio.

Second, a Learning Management System is used for the administration and documentation of those educational courses, learning programs, or training programs. The idea here is to use the LMS as a base functionality for streamlining how the entire educational or learning processes are implemented.

Third and most important, a Learning Management System is used for tracking and reporting purposes. This is the most important aspect of an LMS because the learning processes need to be evaluated. The evaluation is done to be certain whether or not the learning objective/outcome has been achieved.

Today, a variety of LMS software applications are now used for providing the framework required for the handling of the educational and learning processes.

History of Learning Management System

You may have come across a couple of Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Learn Afrique, LearnDash, Moodle, Canvas LMS, TalentLMS, and MOOC Platforms.

However, those are not the first LMS. The history of the Learning Management System dates back to the 1990s. Understanding where the Learning Management Systems came from will help you appreciate the tenacity that has been put into the development.

1.    Testing Machine

The history of learning management system started in 1924 when the first LMS in the form of a Teaching Machine was introduced. The machine was developed by Sidney L. Pressey. At the time of its development, the Testing Machine had the design of a typewriter with a window. The design was in a way that one window would show the question, while the other window will be used for filling the answer.

Learners had to drill in their answers to the Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) already configured into the machine.

Once the answers are drilled in, they would be sent to the back of the machine for recording then, the learners will be allowed to answer the next questions only if the previous questions were correctly answered.

2.    The Problem Cylinder

It is pertinent to mention that the development of the Testing Machine triggered an educational revolution that has been sustained until this day. The success of the Testing Machine triggered the engineering of The Problem Cylinder, which doubles as the second official learning management system.

The Problem Cylinder was developed five years after the Testing Machine. Launched in 1929, The Problem Cylinder was the initiative of Milton Ezra (M.E.) LaZerte, a Professor at the University of Alberta.

The Problem Cylinder was a transformation of the Testing Machine to compare questions and find solutions.

The design allowed the students to attempt the Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), and as well, checked whether the steps to solving the problems/questions were correct. All these were done without the intervention of the teacher.

3.    Telecast Classes

The shift in the learning management system industry started with the introduction of modern telecommunications, especially the use of computers.

The University of Houston, USA was the first University to experiment with this idea. At the time, the university keyed into the trend for video communication by holding telecast classes up to 15 hours a week. These classes took place in 1953.

The telecast classes were used to televise the first for-credit course. With this teaching model, the university televised the course every evening via video lectures. This way, the learners that included full-time workers, had access to the learning materials and at their leisure.

4.    SAKI

The University of Houston did a great job of using televised video lectures to ensure that the learning process was not compromised or cut short because of the work commitments of most of the learners.

However, the telecast classes model couldn’t be scaled, because it had more of a general approach. This was the reason why the duo of Gordon Pask and Robin McKinnon Wood developed an adaptive teaching system that would be ideal for corporate environments. This teaching system was called SAKI.

SAKI is an acronym for Self-Adaptive Keyboard Instructor. It was launched in 1956 and doubles as the first adaptive teaching system to be invented.

SAKI was designed to offer a mildly personal teaching model that automatically adjusts the questions based on the performance level of the learners.

SAKI also offered personalized questions, which are judged by the performance of the learners to the previous questions. As the learners get used to questions, SAKI automatically increases the complexities of the next questions.

The idea is to drill the learners from different fronts using questions that will help them improve so that the learning outcome would be achieved.

5.    PLATO

Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operation (PLATO) is considered one of the major catalysts for improvement in the history of Learning Management systems.

It was developed and launched in 1960 by Dr. Donald Bitzer. PLATO was developed mainly because of the idea of automating the teaching and learning process. It also added a new feature, which is the enablement of educational content delivery, irrespective of the location of the tutors and the learners.

As a computer-based training program, PLATO allowed the learners to track their learning process. All thanks to the self-paced learning technique it uses.

Some many unique features and innovations came with PLATO. Notable among these is the facilitation of collaborative or social learning. This was possible because of the host of networks that accommodated the chat rooms, Instant Messaging (IM)/chat, and emails.

6.    HP-9100A

Hewlett Packard (HP) played a role in the latest innovations in the LMS industry, especially as it pertains to the modernization of the Learning Management System.

The company developed its first calculator, the HP-9100A in 1968. The calculator had several computational capabilities, that included offering up to 10 times solutions to engineering problems. These weren’t tenable at the time, which was why the calculator performed better than the existing computational machines.

Hewlett Packard (HP) would later introduce its first desktop in 1970. This desktop started a new trend in the LMS sector, as the focus slowly shifted to the use of the Internet for learning.

7.    TCP/IP Protocols

A majority of the LMS existing today leverage the Internet. That trend started with the development of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol by Robert Elliot Kahn and Vint Cerf. This was in 1982.

TCP/IP is the base protocol or “communication language” of the Internet. Through this, thousands of learners and hundreds of tutors from different parts of the world can have seamless online learning activities. It is a major improvement in the history of learning management systems.

8.    Project Athena

Project Athena was launched by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1983. It was created to facilitate a more inclusive distributed computing environment that would not only focus on engineering and general science but would also be used in other areas.

Project Athena was also used to set up workstations that bolstered the distributed computing environment.

Through this, instructors/teachers from different parts of the world can access educational materials/content from any desktop computer or workstation readily available at the MIT campus.

9.    LMS Software for MacIntosh Platform

SoftArc launched the first Learning Management System (LMS) in 1990. The LMS software was developed for the Macintosh platform.

10. First Open-Source LMS

The first open-source internal network called Moodle was introduced in 2002. Moodle is the acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. It was developed by Martin Dougiamas.The open-source learning management system is a great achievement in the history of learning management system.

Worthy of mention is that Moodle was a great attempt at using the Learning Management System (LMS) model to create personalized learning. The personalized learning could be seen in the empowerment of the users or learn to choose the type of educational or learning content/materials they wish to export or store.

Moodle had a massive acceptance, especially because of the plug-and-play functionality that allowed the learners to have access to the learning materials/content in the shortest time possible.

Use Case

The uses of Moodle as a Learning Management System (LMS) are many. It is used for several eLearning projects in workplaces, universities, and schools.

Moodle is also used for many other learning activities, including:

• Flipped Classroom
• Blended Learning
• Distance Education

Adoptions

As mentioned earlier, Moodle has massive adoptions. It is used in over 216 countries where over 60 million users and over 65,000 schools use the internal network for personalized learning.

Types of Users

Three categories of users are covered in Moodle. The first is the Administrator that makes or creates the courses and learning content for the teachers/instructors. The Administrator also manages the general settings of the Moodle LMS.

The second user is the Teacher or Instructor. The Instructor/Teacher has two duties, which are managing the learning content and filling the information for the students.

The Students are the third category of users of the Moodle LMS. The Students simply have to access the learning content or courses they have access to.

11. SCORM

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) was launched in 2004. It introduced a messaging standard for LMS to enable the specifications of the parameters on content packaging.

12. Private Cloud Deploying for LMS

The trend of hosting learning management system on a private cloud was introduced by Eucalyptus in 2008. The concept was to create a cloud platform for LMS.

This way, the Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be live on the Internet without any need to install it on an internal network.

13. xAPI

Experience API (xAPI) was developed in 2010 as a successor to SCORM. The idea is to create interoperable communication between the learning content and the LMS.

Two years later (2012), many Learning Management Systems (LMS) started using the cloud to host their networks.

This great and rich history of learning management system has demonstrated a gradual major achievement in the e-learning industry. Schools, businesses, coaches and trainers have employed this educational advancement tool to achieve various aims. 

Features of Learning Management System

The ability to streamline your corporate training or educational content delivery is very important. There are several features of learning management system to consider when making an important choice for your online education needs. Whether you intend to create and promote your online course for business to just upgrade your school, the features of learning management system that you must take note of include the following: 

1.    Course Builder

Some corporate organizations and even individuals that are interested in learning management system often have a misconception that the software application is used for content or course creation.

On the contrary, a Learning Management System (LMS) doesn’t have course creation or development as one of its main components. The software application is mostly used for planning, automation, and general management of the courses or learning materials.

Therefore, prioritize choosing learning management systems that have an option for course creation. This way, you will beat the challenge of creating the learning materials in a separate system before uploading them to the software.

2.    Types and specifications

There are various types of learning management systems to choose from, here is a breakdown of the available options to consider based on your online education needs:

Cloud-Based LMS vs. Installation

You have the option of choosing a Learning Management System (LMS) that either allows for cloud storage or offline storage, which is mostly by installing the software on an organization’s hardware.

Currently, most of these education softwares are hosted on the cloud. This is partly because of the convenience that comes with cloud storage and mostly because of the cheaper costs of using a cloud-based learning management system service.

SMB vs. Enterprise

How many persons or employees will use the learning management system? This should help you decide on whether to choose a Learning Management System that is for Small Medium Businesses (SMBs) or one for Enterprises.

On the one hand, SMB e-learning softwares are for organizations that have between 50 and a few hundred employees.

On the other hand, the Enterprise Learning Management System is ideal for organizations that have up to 500 employees or more.

Integrated Learning Management System

Modern Learning Management Systems tend to come with integration tools. These tools are ideal for integrating or connecting the LMS with other software.

Open-Source vs. Commercial

Organizations that are “testing the waters” with online education softwares tend to go for the open-source Learning Management System. Asides from the open-source design that allows for modifications, the open-source LMS is also affordable. The primary downside is that it requires regular updates, installation, and maintenance.

3.    Gamification

Games or incentives drive people to take action. Thus, look for a Learning Management System that has a gamification option.

The gamification features come in several ways, including badges, leaderboards, and points. These are meant to stimulate the continued interest of the learners.

4.    Assignments

The Learning Management System (LMS) you are choosing should also have a medium for testing or evaluating the experience of the learners. It should also go a long way to help you find out if the learning objective is achieved.

Some of the features used here for gauging participation and memory retention include:

•         Polls/surveys
•         Exams/tests
•         Assessments

5.    Video Conferencing Functionality

The Learning Management System should also have a webinar integration or video conferencing functionality.

This helps you to have difficult conversations and tackle important challenges the learners may have – live!

Also, ensure that the webinar integration is fully packed with the best recording tools so you can turn your webinar sessions into a course or incorporate the same into existing courses.

Learning Management System Industry Trends

Fortune Business Insights report that the Learning Management System (LMS) market is expected to have a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 18.7% between 2021 and 2028. Learning Management System Industry Trends reports indicate over $1 trillion market value in 2027.

Already, top players like Learn Afrique, Cornerstone OnDemand, McGraw Hill, Blackboard Inc., and Absorb LMS Software Inc. are dominating the market.

The ManpowerGroup had in 2019, reported that 7 out of 10 companies reported that the shortages in talents in 2019 triggered the massive demand for technical skills.

Many regions in the world are benefitting from the use of the Learning Management System (LMS) in one way or the other. As Fortune Business Insights reported, North America is expected to hold the highest market share in the learning management system market by 2028.

How do Learning Management Systems Work?

Learning Management Systems work by using two different parts, which, when deployed, make virtual or online learning easier. These parts are the Technological part and the Pedagogical part.

The Technological part refers to the deployment or use of different technological tools that make online course creation, implementation, and management easier. The processes involved here include course planning, course development (if supported by the LMS), course management & implementation, Instant Messaging (IM)/chats, and performance reporting. It also includes students enrolled, passwords, membership access, and learning material/content publishing.

The Pedagogical aspect of the Learning Management System (LMS) involves the educational approach to the software. This is usually focused on how the learners interact with the learning content.

Generally, learning management system works by using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model to create virtual learning environments where the instructors and the learners can interact without being in the same room.

Learning Management System Examples

There are several Learning Management System examples out there, with each offering a wide range of virtual classroom options.

Some of the popular learning management systems are categorized below:

1.    Open-Source

•         ATutor
•         Moodle
•         Open edX
•         Chamilo
•         WeBWork
•         Canvas
•         SWAD
•         Claroline
•         Sakai
•         eFront
•         OpenOLAT
•         ILIAS
•         OLAT
•         LAMS
•         LON-CAPA

2.    Proprietary

•         WizIQ
•         Blackboard Learn
•         Teams
•         eCollege
•         SAP
•         Uzity
•         Spongelab
•         Desire2Learn
•         Skillsoft
•         CERTPOINT Systems Inc.
•         Taleo
•         Kannu
•         Edmodo
•         Kahoot!
•         SuccessFactors
•         EduNxt
•         HotChalk
•         SumTotal Systems

3.    Cloud/Software as a Service (SaaS)

•         Learn Afrique
•         Udutu
•         DoceboLMS
•         CallidusCloud
•         Open edX
•         Grovo
•         OpenLearning
•         Cornerstone OnDemand Inc.
•         Kannu
•         EthosCE
•         itslearning
•         Google Classroom
•         Inquisiq R3
•         eFront
•         Halogen Software
•         WizIQ
•         Growth Engineering

Advantages of learning management system

With the increased desire for new skills and technologies all over the world, eLearning has continued to gain more grounds due to a number of reasons including its ability to take learning to every part of the world and allowing learners or students to develop new skills and knowledge about certain topics and trends at their own pace. There are several advantages of Learning management system that individuals, schools, and businesses can utilize to achieve more. 

Coaches, trainers and institutions can no longer do without a standard learning management system. Everyone is leveraging the technology and many advantages of learning management system to keep learners engaged, increase the flexibility and ease of learning, make learning generally accessible to a larger number of people, increase students performances, improve staff skills and performances, reduce training and self-development costs and many more.

What are the Advantages of Learning Management Systems?

Why would anyone want a learning management system? An important question right? There are several ways that learning management system benefits both the student (learner) and the instructor, or even a company that uses learning management systems to scale their staff performances by teaching them new skills at work. Here are the top ten advantages of Learning management systems: 

1. Helps to Cut Training Costs for Individuals and Organisations

Learning management system is a platform where individuals can get affordable and quality information, all courses and educational materials through electronic devices such as phones, laptops so there’d be no need to physically meet the tutor and the cost for renting a classroom can be saved. Money for printing materials and travelling can be saved, learners can work while learning and everyone learns at their own pace. 

2. Allows an Easy Future upgrade in Size or Scale

Learning management system is design to accommodate as many people as possible, unlike the traditional classroom that can accommodate only a few people, organizations can train as many staff on learning management system platform without fear of limited seats, schools can accommodate all their students on their LMS portal.

With the availability of various pricing plans, learning management systems allows individuals, schools or organizations to easily upgrade their plans and utilize many more features and storage spaces as their businesses may demand. 

3. Provides a 24/7 Access to Training and Course Materials from any Part of the World

Learners can have 24/7 access to educational content, once uploaded by the instructor, tutor or coach, the content becomes accessible on the learning management system to all students who have paid for the course. There are no limitations of time, region or currency, everyone from any part of the world can access quality education without any limitations. 

4. Allows Easy Tracking and Reporting of Students Progress and Performances

One of the most enjoyed features of the learning management system is its ability to track students performances using quizzes and assignments that are recorded in students gradebook. This tracking feature allows schools, coaches and businesses to determine their students or staff performances and devise better means of improving learning. The direct effect of learning can be measured based on students performances. 

5. Delivers Content in a Sequential Drip Content Format

Learning management systems help to deliver content in a way that flows easily. Starting from the prerequisites, courses are structured in a way that contents are delivered from the easiest to the most difficult. The drip content format ensures that there is a gradual and logical flow of thoughts between the learner and the course instructor. 

6. Assessment tools

With assessment tools such as online quizzes, assignments and tests, a learning management system makes it easy to measure and track students performances in a course and how their performances influence better performances in academics and other courses or jobs. With these tools, an instructor or school can set questions to understand the comprehension level of their students in a particular subject.  

7. Compliance regulation

Organizations can easily update compliance regulations in a short period of time, to keep employees always aware of compliance rules and help all staff from defaulting rules of the organization/company. A learning management system can easily be used to achieve this aim. Such updates can be made as a course and hoisted to allow staff access.

8. provides Easy Access for Already Made Course to be Extended

Courses can be easily expanded by instructors without redoing the whole course, all you have to do is use the edit tools on the system. This tool allows instructors to add or remove certain information from a course. 

9. Social Media and Engagement Integrations

With Integration of certain social learning features such as gamification, messaging, live webinars and point system, learning management systems creates a mix of socials and learning to create deeper impact and understanding of a subject. It also helps to increase interest in learning a particular subject. Imagine earning a good amount of money by just watching a number of video courses. 

10. Storage and Reliability

With a learning management system, it is easy to store courses and access them at any point in time without any fear of the corruption of files due to viruses and other causes. Files can be safely stored at the cloud-based hosting platform to give users the best experience.

Conclusion

Learning Management System (LMS) has come to stay. What started in 1924 with the development of the Testing Machine has greatly evolved in the 9 decades. Today, the Internet has triggered a widespread adoption, as tutors and learners can now use the Internet to create, deploy and access learning content.

The ability to track, manage and arrange courses in a sequential manner is making learning easy and motivating schools and other online course creators to use learning management system platforms like Learn Afrique for their coaching and tutoring. The many advantages of learning management system as seen in this article identifies it as an essential component of every school, business and coaching. 

Coaches can earn by sharing information and training learners, not just that, they can only gain more experience and connect, collaborate and interact with so many coaching on the platform which is made possible by the LMS integration tool, Learn Afrique is a complete interactive learning management system that connects learners with coaches and coaches with the integration of the live zoom webinars.

Check out our pricing and other features to understand the many advantages of Learn Afrique management system to your school and organisation or personal business.