An in-depth guide on learning management systems, difference between LMS and e-learning, how LMS’s work, what they are used for and the key features to look out for in one.

1. Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Management Systems
What Is a Learning Management System?
A learning management system is a web-based software used for enterprise, small business,
online training, or higher education that enables students to participate in courses online with
instructor-led discussions. Instructors may provide lecture notes and homework assignments as
well as grade student work.
Some LMSs allow instructors to monitor student progress and assess quizzes and tests while
others have tools allowing an instructor to deliver virtual classroom lectures using video
conferencing or presentation sharing which can be recorded by the LMS for playback at a later
time. These systems also include administration tools (e.g., assignment creation). Many
individuals prefer the term Learning Management System over e-learning since there are both
free open source and commercial learning management systems.
What Are the Main Features of a Learning Management System?
Each learning management system is different and offers a variety of features. Most LMSs are
available in two versions: On-premises or Software as a service (SaaS). In the case of on-
premise, the organization installs the software behind their firewall and they have full access to
the source code. SaaS-based systems run on equipment owned by the application vendor who

2. maintains full responsibility for security updates and bug fixes. Many higher education
institutions choose an open-source solution with local hosting since they also provide integration
options to existing IT hardware as well as avoiding any dependence on a third-party organization
which adds additional administrative overhead.
With our learning management system, you can organize and present courses in a way that
makes the most sense for your organization.
With this toolkit, instructors are able to create their own unique syllabus and assign assignments
seamlessly from anywhere on campus through an intuitive web portal interface with push
notifications ensuring no one misses any important information or deadline reminders going
forward!
Today’s Learning Management Systems come in all shapes, sizes, uses, and prices. There is no
one simple answer as to which LMS is best. Your search for a Learning Management System
will be dependent on many factors, including the number of students, price point, and features. In
addition to this, companies may have enterprise resource planning applications (e.g., PeopleSoft)
or learning content management systems (LCMS) that they already use to administer course
materials, grade student work, and track class rosters. These additional applications must be
integrated into the LMS, so you need to determine if your institution has a good process in place
for updating these resources with new course information as it becomes available.
Which Is the Best LMS Platform?
There are three main LMS platforms:
 Open Source LMS
An open-source Learning Management System is a system that is available to the public free of
charge. Open-source systems are developed by teams of programmers using publicly accessible
application programming interfaces (APIs).
Developers can view, modify and redistribute code because the source code for these systems is
typically made publicly available. These systems are customizable so organizations can
configure them to meet their specific business requirements or integrate them with existing
applications such as content management systems, learning content management systems, and
enterprise resource planning applications. They may be self-hosted or installed locally on
individual hardware.
 Hosted LMS
A hosted Learning Management System is an on-demand service provided in the cloud and is
managed by the application vendor. The hosted system can be accessed via any web browser
through an interface that is typically in HTML5 but may also be a Flash-enabled interface.

3. Hosted LMSs are scalable and enable companies to obtain ready-to-use learning technologies
without having to purchase or maintain any hardware, software, or network infrastructure.
 On-Premise LMS
An on-premise Learning Management System is installed locally behind the firewall of your
organization’s network so you have full access to the source code and support for patches,
updates, and bug fixes. These systems must work in conjunction with other existing enterprise
applications like content management systems, learning content management systems, or
enterprise resource planning applications.
What Are Some Benefits of Using a Learning Management System?
While there is no denying that Learning Management Systems have tremendous value for post-
high school institutions, their capabilities also extend to other markets and industries. These
include:
 Reporting tools that enable instructors to create customized reports give teachers valuable
insights into how students are progressing through coursework and what topics areas they
need additional support on. This enables educators to make informed decisions about
where and when to intervene so every student has the opportunity to succeed.
 Collaboration tools such as discussion boards or social feeds provide students with a
platform to connect with one another, share knowledge, and communicate with peers

4. from different departments or organizations. This is beneficial for companies working in
fast-paced environments such as the tech sector where employees may be split up into
different divisions based on their areas of expertise.
 Learning Management Systems in educational settings provide instructors with a variety
of tools to create engaging learning experiences for students while ensuring they meet
predetermined outcomes. These include personalized dashboards, online assessments,
and individualized student paths that allow educators to track their progress through real-
time reports.
What Are the Disadvantages of Learning Management Systems?
One main disadvantage associated with Learning Management Systems is a lack of customer
service. Many platforms advertise 24/7 support for users, but in reality, all that means is that the
platform has technicians on standby at all times to handle issues and answer questions when they
arise. Unfortunately, this does not mean that you’ll always be able to get a hold of someone
when you need them. In addition, most LMS websites have minimal customer service hours
which are usually 9 to 5 (EST).
Another main disadvantage with LMS platforms is the inability to easily customize your
Learning Management System for your specific needs. When looking at different types of
Learning Management Systems one of the main things to consider is how easy it would be to
customize the features for your specific needs. Most LMS platforms have a variety of different
modules that are all (or mostly) locked in place. This means you may not be able to add or take
away certain features and give employees/students access only to the ones you need.
A third main disadvantage of Learning Management Systems is their lengthy setup time and
sluggish performance. Many institutions and businesses want to get their LMS up and running as
fast as possible so they can start gathering data, taking surveys, preparing courses, etc.
Unfortunately, most LMS platforms take anywhere from 3–6 months to fully set up if all the
modules that are needed are readily available. In addition, most LMS’ have a significant learning
curve which means employee training will be necessary before they become proficient in using
the system effectively.
How Does a School LMS Work?
LMSs in the education environment typically have a student dashboard where they can upload
files, assignments, and complete tests to receive feedback on their progress. Instructors or
teachers then use the LMS as a platform to host virtual course material which students access
from their own computer. The instructor is also responsible for assigning grades and evaluating
each student’s performance based on various metrics such as how many questions they got right
or wrong in a test.
What Are the Key Features of an Educational LMS?
1. Create & Manage Groups

5. Most school Learning Management Systems allow instructors to create groups based on certain
criteria including classes and Grade Point Average (GPA). These groups make it easier for
organizations to identify top performers within certain cohorts or departments so that everyone
receives the same level of support and attention.
For example, when a new training program is introduced, instructors can create groups or classes
based on students’ GPAs to identify top performers who will be given access to additional
resources beyond what other students receive so they reach the same level of mastery as quickly
as possible.
2. Customize Interaction
Instructors have full control over their LMSs so they’re able to set custom permissions for each
student that’s in their class. This enables them to give certain types of students access to more
resources than others which is particularly useful when scaling programs across an organization
where it’s critical that all teams are on the same page when it comes to using a new system.
3. Assign & Grade Assignments
Schools typically use an LMS to track various assignments, tests, and exams which is helpful for
instructors who are looking to identify areas where students need additional support in their
coursework. Manually grading assignments takes time away from instructors’ daily tasks which
makes it difficult for them to manage large class sizes so LMSs allow organizations to automate
the process and offer real-time feedback on their progress.
4. Digital Portfolios
As eLearning continues its rise, universities, colleges, and high schools are increasingly turning
towards Learning Management Systems as their main method of delivering educational
materials. These systems make it easier for instructors in K12 schools, community colleges, or
universities to upload lessons and lectures into a centralized location that all students can access
with their school IDs, eliminating the need to print out course material.
Companies that implement LMSs in this environment typically provide students with a digital
portfolio where they can upload assignments, projects, and other work for their instructors to
view. This makes it easy for organizations to track student performance and identify who
requires additional support.
5. Easily Assign Grades
When you’re teaching a large number of students, it becomes difficult to keep track of how
they’re performing academically, which is why schools are increasingly turning towards
Learning Management Systems as a learning tool.
These systems allow instructors to monitor grades in real-time, specifically focusing on areas
where their students may be struggling so they can adjust their curriculum accordingly before it’s

6. too late. Organizations also make use of analytics in their LMS to identify high-performing
employees who performed well in the past so they can be quickly moved into leadership roles
within the organization.
When Would You Use an LMS?
Learning Management Systems are used in a wide range of industries and school types. This
includes K-12 schools that use LMSs to handle everything from student registrations, homework
assignments, and grades for students.
Did you know that a learning management system (LMS) is the key to success for online
courses? An LMS helps instructors and learners with course materials. By creating an entire
library of resources, it makes navigating difficult topics much easier than searching one-by-one
on Google or YouTube for what each student needs at their assigned time period in class.
At the university level, they’re often used to deliver online courses as well as track the
performance of current students and alumni. Some companies also choose to implement an LMS
within their organization which is typically best suited for large businesses where employees
require easy access to learning materials and training resources throughout their career.
Can a Learning Management System (LMS) Detect Cheating?
Yes. Learning Management Systems are often used to monitor students’ grades in real-time so
instructors can quickly identify those who may be cheating in their courses. Instructors can also
monitor the time spent on various assignments and tests which allows them to identify
employees who aren’t performing as well as expected or who aren’t spending enough time on
work-related activities. This helps companies build better hiring profiles, improve employee
engagement, allow managers to easily track the progress of their team, and help ensure that
they’re not wasting resources training employees who won’t contribute any value to the
company.
What Are the Strengths of an LMS?

7. Learning Management Systems offer a number of benefits when implemented within an
educational environment or company.
The most significant benefit is that they allow educators to easily track student performance and
identify those who may be struggling, requiring them to spend more time on particular lessons or
course material.
This helps instructors save valuable classroom time by focusing on students who require
additional guidance while giving their other students the opportunity to advance through the
curriculum at their own pace.
Another advantage is that it saves both instructors’ and students’ time which is particularly
helpful for working professionals or self-driven learners who only require access to specific
courses instead of entire degree programs.
Is Google Classroom an LMS?
Google Classroom is not an LMS. It’s just a tool for teachers to use with their students to share
files and send messages in the form of announcements or one-to-one chat sessions. For more
information about how Google Classroom works, check out this infographic.
Is Zoom a Learning Management System?
No, Zoom is a video conferencing software. You can use it to share presentations with people
online and do webinars but it’s not designed to be used as an LMS platform for your business or
institution. Learning management systems provide you with the tools necessary for providing

8. training courses and evaluating employee/student learning outcomes. It would be very difficult to
create courses in Zoom (or similar software) because there is no way to track course progress
outside of having students enter their information into a form on your website with a subsequent
email notification to the instructor that they have filled out the survey.
What Factors Must Be Considered in Choosing a School LMS?
There are many different factors that must be considered when choosing a Learning Management
System for your school.
One of the main things to consider is how easy it would be to customize the features for your
specific needs. Most LMS platforms have a variety of different modules that are all (or mostly)
locked in place. This means you may not be able to add or take away certain features and give
employees/students access only to the ones you need.
A key component to consider when choosing a Learning management system is the type of
content you’ll be using it for. There are many different types, such as instructor-led and
online/face-to face courses that need specific features in order course materials can be delivered
effectively so students don’t get lost at sea with their learning experience.
Another important factor is which types of existing tools already exist within your institution and
are currently being used by faculty, staff, students, parents, etc.
Another thing to consider is what data management system(s) you currently have in use at your
school or organization and whether they will integrate with the new LMS or not.
One of the most important factors when choosing an LMS for your school is whether you could
find any existing documentation about how other institutions have used a specific system in the
past and what their experiences were. This will give you valuable information which can be very
helpful when making your final decision.