The Difference Between LMS and CMS Explained!

Learning Management System – LMS and Course Management System – CMS that's how the acronyms are elaborated. It is seen that both the terms have just one letter in difference between them. Having said this, there are a lot many similarities between the two terms. Despite these similarities, there are a few differences that give the two terms an independent identity.

To be more precise let me brief you with an individual description so as to make things more clear. Read on to find out. 
 

The Difference Between LMS and CMS Explained!

LMS – Learning Management System

A Learning Management System could be best defined as a software that enables the storing, managing, tracking and delivering content on the digital platform. Used by the students as well as the professionals, this software proves to be beneficial in imparting training, knowledge, education as well as managing data. This software is widely used by corporate organizations, educational institutes and government bodies. To be precise, it is being extensively used to provide an online training to the employees as well as makes knowledge sharing a fun and effective process by making use of the digital platform.

Creating an eLearning course, organizing content, delivering course materials, managing the users as well as the content and keeping a track of the user's progress are some of the basic functions that define the usability of this software. This software proves to be an important platform to not only provide content but also scale the progress of the users as a whole.

CMS – Course Management System

The term - Course Management System is often misunderstood as another name for Learning Management System. It is needless to say that both of them depict almost similar functions. Despite this, both of them have a slight variation that could be understood with the following definition of a Course Management System. Unlike LMS, a course management system has a narrower scope in the world of online learning and managing data. This software limits its abilities to managing and distributing learning content as well as instructor-led courses.

The main work of a Course Management System is to maintain the workflow of the content along with ensuring that the relevant content is being delivered to the users. When it comes to learners, they get the privilege to access their mentor's CMS to have a glimpse of the important content or to submit their assignments. The course management software also makes it easy for the designers to develop, manage as well as publish the training content. 

Course Management System - CMS  V/s  Learning Management System - LMS

To make things more clear, here is a well-fragmented difference between the two terms. Read on to find out.

• An LMS has a broad scope whereas CMS has a narrow scope

• A Course Management System is a part of the Learning Management System– LMS

• An LMS user can be defined as the learner whereas the CMS user can be defined as the content creator.

• Another important difference is the scalability feature. LMS is highly scalable whereas a CMS is less scalable.

• A CMS allows creating content with an element of innovation in it. An LMS allows much more than content creation. It also allows you to keep a track of the progress.

Conclusion

There are more of dissimilarities than the similarities. This has often confused people in thinking that the terms CMS and LMS are interchangeable in nature. The above-mentioned difference will be easy to clear out the difference between the two. So, next time when you across the term CMS do not confuse it with LMS as they both have their own identity.

Learning Management System Myths That You Should Avoid

Be it in an organization or an educational institute, a learning management system has gracefully created a place of its own. Having said this, there are many myths and false assumptions surrounding the usage and reputation of this software. These myths have considerably limited the growth and potential of a learning management system. To avoid this, it becomes necessary to drive away these myths. Let me walk you through a few common myths that need a clearance on an immediate basis so that you do not see through its advantages. Read on to find out about them.

6 Common LMS myths that should be avoided :

1. An LMS is designed only for providing e-learning services :

It was during its infancy that a learning management system was expected to provide e-learning services. However, many technical innovations have widened the scope of this management system. From the administration to reporting to keeping a track of data, learning management system has considerably evolved with time. E-learning has now become one of the important functions of an LMS, making way for many other functions. Hence a learning management system is now more than just delivering content online.

2. An LMS is difficult to be understood :

Imparting training and education, managing data, carrying out administration process and tracking reports are some of the basic functions of an LMS. It does require time, energy and patience to understand these bunch of functions. Also setting up an LMS will be laborious during the initial stages. Once it is set and well understood you could reap the fruits of its convenience.

3. Investing in an LMS is not worth the efforts :

Buying a learning management system will require you to shell out money in the initial stages. Eventually, it will prove to be a fruitful investment. From saving time, energy and money, to delivering relevant training and educational content, this tool has sufficiently cut down costs.

4. An LMS has limited potential :

The potential of a learning management system is not only limited to the e-learning sessions and data storage. There is much more to this software. Imparting training and education, keeping a track on the employee's performance, managing resources, reducing data redundancy, analyzing results and much more added to its basket. One can choose the required functions, eliminating those that would not be used. You could also extend its potential by integrating it into other software.

5. An LMS does not demand any updates or transformation :

With many new technical invasions and innovation, an LMS too demands timely upgradations. Technology keeps on evolving with every new invention and innovation. If the needs and requirements of your company change over a period of time, then your LMS too requires the need of being updated over a period of time to meet the changing demands.

6. An LMS will not be easily accepted by the masses :

Another myth that should be ignored is its inability of being accepted by the masses. Technology has always made our lives easy. So when it comes to adopting one more useful technical invention, this software cannot take a back seat. Adopting would be a challenge, but it would be worth the efforts. With proper training and awareness about learning management system, it has penetrated a huge set of audience looking forward to making their lives easier with this technical invention.

Final Note :

Above-mentioned are some of the learning management system myths that need to be brushed out of your minds as they do not hold any significance. On a final note, an LMS would indeed be worth the investment that will bear fruits for times to come.

Why Should You Invest In an LTI Compliant LMS?

Learning Tools Interoperability has become the need of the hour with the growing popularity of a Online Learning Management System. Now, before we move ahead to understand the prominence of Learning Tools Interoperability, let me first define the term LTI. To be precise, LTI is a standard set by the IMS Global Learning Consortium for building a flawless connection between a web-based tool and a learning platform.

There arises a situation where an LMS fails to provide all possible tools for carrying out all the day to day activities. Here is where an LTI comes into the picture. When you have an LTI compliant LMS you make it easy to integrate all the relevant tools to boost the functionality of your website.

6 Reasons why you should invest in an LTI compliant LMS :

Here a few reasons that explain why Learning Tools Interoperability will generously contribute to the success of your Learning Management System.

1. Reduces redundancy in data :

It considerably reduces the need to feed in data every time a user logins in. As the systems are connected the user need to log in just once.This impends the user to punch down or rather remember different user logins for accessing different data. Moreover, it effortlessly lets the users share data on a larger platform.

2. Provides a great user experience :

One of the most cherished advantages of an LTI supported LMS is an improvement in the user experience. With all the necessary tools being easily connected, you ensure a rich user experience for your learners.

3. Makes your administrative activities easy :

With LTI, you are able to integrate data more efficiently which in turn helps in the overall admin activities. Customer Relationship Management(CRM), Email marketing tools and Google Analytics are some of the integrations that enhances a Learning Management System's functionalities. An LTI compliant LMS eases out the process of integrating these tools which helps in easing out all your administrative activities on a large scale.

4. Cuts down expenses :

By integrating the right LTI, you can very well increase the functionality of your LMS without putting in additional labor and cost to integrate the services. Hence, investing in an LTI compliant learning management system will considerably help you to reduce your organization's expenses, time as well as energy.

5. Makes the process of buying and selling easy :

Want to add an element of e-commerce? You can connect the LMS to payment gateways which in turn will make it easy for the users to carry out a secure monetary transaction. This integration too enhances the functionalities of an LMS.

6. Enhances social connection :

It enhances integrations with Twitter, LinkedIn and various other social media platforms that widens the scope of social connection. This immensely helps in social learning, making the sessions even more engaging. Also, it makes it easy to promote and advertise on all social media platforms.

Final Note :

Above-mentioned are some of the basic yet important reasons that will justify the fact an LTI compliant LMS would be the best decision. If you are heading towards investing in a Learning Management System, look for those that are LTI compliant.