Hire An Instructional Designers With The Working Knowledge Of Learning Management System

By Author: Ravindra Singh
Total Articles: 11
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Instructional design approach is used for creating a training and learning materials with goals and objectives clearly defined. Even this approach has undergone paradigm shift with the gradual introduction of digital medium for course delivery and curriculum management. As a result, a technology, popularly known as, Learning Management System evolved. This technology majorly automated the process of creating the overall training framework, updating content and creating newer techniques for assessment. Some of the important reasons why e-learning organizations use LMS are:


• Adapt and re-use learning assets as per the AICC SCORM guidelines
• Offer a varied choice in terms of delivery mechanism , evaluation techniques, and overall course framework
• Provide a much logical and improved inference from the assessments


Hence, e-learning enterprises should only hire instructional Developer who have a working knowledge of the different learning management systems available in the market.


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... The different components of a learning management system are:


• Courseware

• Self-assessment quizzes

• Authoring tools

• Asynchronous communication mechanisms like e-mails and forums

• Synchronous communication mechanisms like chat, whiteboard, teleconferencing

• Student tools like homepage, self-tests, bookmarks, and progress tracking

• Student management tools for progress tracking and online grading

Some of the best LMS solutions available in the market are:

• Blackboard Vista

• Moodle

• iQpakk

• TopYX

• Rapid Intake


Each of the LMS solutions vary in terms of the functionalities they offer, and hence its selection can prove to be of strategic importance for a given project. ID professionals who have previously worked on LMS tools only can identify these functional differences and they can quickly map it with the project requirement. Therefore, while setting out to hire instructional designer, enterprises should engage someone from the ID domain to evaluate the skill set and knowledge specifically for LMS and authoring tools.


There are certain criteria on the basis of which an e-learning companies adopt LMS solutions are:


• Understand the need of the users- It is important to understand the need of the end-users so that the investment can deliver maximum value.


• Etch your learning strategy- It is important to have the complete learning strategy in place. Lack of clear understanding of the learning strategy will result in the wrong selection.


• Identify inspiring resources- It is important to have resources in mind from which one can clearly draw inspiration and can use it as a yardstick for course design. This clear-cut understanding of the project framework would go a long in selecting the correct LMS.


• Involve project stake holders- The important users of LMS comprises of legal, IT, Training & development, HR and sales. Hence, these teams should be involved in the LMS selection process.


• Map the functionality of an LMS with the project goals- It is important to make a list of the functionalities that an LMS promises to deliver, and then map it with the project goals. This will go a long way in ensuring a correct selection of an LMS.


• Create a roadmap for the future- Since the training needs will invariable change with the passage of time, it is important to find out whether an LMS can be customized for further use.


• Evaluate the training aspect that is to be provided by the vendors - It is very important to select vendors or solution partner who can provide requisite training on the tool along with a robust support.


• Understand the mechanism for correct implementation – Correct implementation can go a long way in deciding the success of a project. Therefore, before bringing about any sort of customization, the ID professionals involved in a project should ensure appropriate implementation so that all the functionalities can be leveraged. Hence, an e-learning company should always try to hire instructional designers who are tool masters and can monitor each aspect of LMS implementation.