LMS trends and the future of learning management systems

The future of learning management systems (LMS) is a hot topic, and for good reason. If remote learning isn’t currently on your mind for your employees, it probably should be.

As we continue to venture through a post-COVID world, remote and hybrid work is becoming the norm as opposed to the exception. For employers, this means that implementing continuous training, and providing access to essential company content any time from anywhere is more important than ever.

Keeping up with the future of learning management systems is essential for companies. The question is no longer, “Why do we need an LMS?” but rather, “Which next-generation LMS do we need?”

Even if your employees are back in the office, having a centralized learning platform improves employee retention while saving your company time and money.

We’ll spend some time digging into:

• LMS facts and what an LMS is
• e-Learning trends and predictions
• Why do we need an LMS
• How to choose a robust next-generation LMS
  
  

Ready to dive on in? Here we go!

What is an LMS and why does your company need one?

Simply put, an LMS is a software platform that allows you to create, deliver, and report on training courses and programs. It’s a powerful learning and training tool that allows for real-time reporting and remote accessibility.

Here are some other top reasons to implement an LMS to support your training:

• Provides convenient, centralized access so employees can complete all kinds of training, whether onboarding or upskilling
• Analyzes learner performance and progress to improve employee management and coaching
• Enables employees to complete training more effectively and in a reasonable time frame
• Gives you the ability to quickly provide new training or upskilling opportunities as soon as necessary
• Allows for content to be delivered using different modalities for increased engagement and information retention
  
  

An LMS promotes efficient learning while eliminating time, cost, and geographic distance barriers for your employees. Implementing a smart learning management system is a great choice for your business and your employees.

LMS facts you need to know

Still not so sure about the answer to “Why do we need an LMS?”

The future of LMS is evident as the landscape of employment continues to change and the remote and hybrid workforce continues to grow. Experts are estimating that 25% of the professional jobs in North America will become remote positions by the end of this year, and will only increase further in 2023—you need to invest in an LMS to deliver training and upskill their employees remotely.

E-learning trends and predictions also show us how much better employees and students retain information when training:

1. Is presented in a variety of fun, different formats
2. Can be done at their own pace
   
   

Research from Brandon and Hall found that virtual learning reduces training times by 40 to 60 percent—that's valuable time that your employees can spend applying what they’ve learned as they work towards your business’s goals.

In addition to showing reductions in overall training time, learning management statistics also show that employees get more out of training when it’s implemented using an LMS. LMS features like gamification, simulation, and collaboration increases employee engagement by up to 92%.

The bottom line is that an LMS is a win-win for you and your team, as your training program can achieve more in less time!

5 key LMS trends

Now that you know more about what an LMS is and why it’s a valuable investment, let’s look at the future of LMS and what to look for when choosing one.

Here are five key LMS trends you need to know when searching for an LMS in 2022 and beyond:

Customizable configurations

First, the best LMS platforms allow for customization.

Customizing your LMS helps you get the most out of your training experience. Certain LMS solutions allow you to create groups and organize learning content by department, job role, or more specific training needs.

Here are some of the areas you can customize to fit your exact requirements:

• Onboarding
• Product and systems training
• Sales enablement
• Coaching and leadership training
• Upskilling
• Industry and company language
  
  

Having an LMS that can be configured to the needs of your organization ensures that your employees always receive relevant training content.

Microlearning

A study by Microsoft says that the average attention span is now eight seconds. That’s even shorter than that of a goldfish, which clocks in at nine seconds.

Microlearning gives information in small, easily digestible pieces, and is another trend in the future of learning management systems.

Learning management statistics show that microlearning is the ideal solution to today’s shortened attention spans, allowing for better engagement, absorption, and retention of information. Since the lessons are shorter, microlearning is ideal for people who are on the go and don’t have an hour or more to dedicate to one training module. It’s much easier to dedicate 3-5 minutes at a time to watch a video, play a game, collaborate with team members, or work toward a new skill.

Gamification

Gamification incorporates gaming elements like leaderboards, point systems, and clear-cut goals into everyday learning and training situations.

By making training more fun and engaging, your company and employees will reap major benefits, such as:

• Improved retention rates
• Increased employee confidence
• Enhanced team engagement and collaboration
• Heightened excitement around new learning opportunities
  
  

Gamification motivates employees through friendly competition, even against themselves, and empowers them to take control of their learning and upskilling.

Collaborative coaching capabilities

Coaching through an LMS simplifies the process for managers to follow employee progress and give feedback. AI integrations provide intuitive data reporting to track progress, allowing coaches to easily see spot trends.

Through a robust LMS, managers will be able to uncover where learners need improvements, helping everyone on the team make changes that benefit themselves and the company.

Spoke® coaching platform

When multiple managers and leadership are involved, the right LMS will keep conversations and feedback organized so everyone can get up-to-date before moving forward with any interactions. Crafting an action plan within the LMS that coaches and employees can collaborate on ensures successful and productive employee development.

Real-time analytics

Predictions about education in the future need to be rooted in actionable analytics.

Data collection and learning metrics help you determine how effective your company’s training programs are. Here are a few things you can track with the proper LMS:

• Employee activity, progress, and assessment
• Completion rates and learning scores
• Engagement and overall satisfaction
  
  

Every LMS will have different reporting abilities. Decide what’s important for your company’s purposes before choosing your learning management system.

Unboxed: the future of learning management systems

The future of LMS is here, and it promises better training outcomes for your company.

LMS trends and predictions about online education in the future show that the market for these platforms is growing. The global market for LMS software is expected to reach $7.57 billion by 2026. In addition, e-learning is trusted by a host of Fortune 500 companies who have witnessed the effectiveness of an LMS first-hand.

Choosing an LMS can seem daunting with all the options out there. However, the list of possibilities will become much shorter when you seek out smart learning management systems that are always ahead of the e-Learning trends and predictions.

Are ready to invest in an award-winning LMS today that’s always in front of the trends?

At Unboxed Training & Technology, our Spoke® Learning Technology Platform encompasses all of the latest LMS trends including customizable configurations, microlearning, gamification, collaborative coaching capabilities, and real-time analytics, making training easy to access across all departments. Spoke® also offers:

• Self-directed personalized learning and practice
• Continuous employee coaching
• Social and collaborative learning
• Intuitive configuration and customization
• Security and scalability
  
  

If you’re still wondering “Why do we need an LMS?”, sign up for a free demo of Spoke® today. During the demo, we’ll walk you through all the benefits Spoke® will have on your organization and answer any questions you may have.