Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008 - (Page 21)

facing learning today is “The Content Gap.” This gap lies in the space between the abundant availability of generic “off the shelf ” courses, and the lack of quality, organizationspecific content. Off-the-shelf content is important but provides no competitive advantage as it is readily available to the masses. As a result, learning initiatives and Learning Management System (LMS) implementations, along with the ROI expectations that accompany them, can fall short precisely at the moment when off-the-shelf content options are exhausted. Learning becomes a much clearer value proposition when organizations are able to address the content gap by harvesting their own intellectual capital and convert those assets to re-usable learning content. To support this harvesting, organizations are increasingly turning to Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS). Whether your role is a learning leader or a learning technologist, understanding the benefits and key characteristics of LCMS technology is an imperative. Additionally, perhaps the biggest long-term benefit of an LCMS is its ability to turn invaluable knowledge locked within training courses into knowledge nuggets that can be re-used within other courses, as well as for informal and contextual learning. In this way, training initiatives become ongoing, real-time knowledge initiatives that impact workers’ performance each and every day. LCMS Models As with almost all technologies, not all LCMSs have the same basic architectural model. There are two primary types of LCMS models: page-based and asset-based. Understanding the fundamental approaches and underlying design philosophy of each, as well as their strengths and weaknesses in meeting different business drivers, can help organizations select the best LCMS model approach for their immediate and long-term needs. A page-based LCMS is primarily centered on the creation, management and publishing of e-learning pages created using embedded authoring tools. These tools enable authors to take an artisanal approach to developing online learning content. Authors handcraft the learning experience by constructing individual pages within the course, embedding the course navigation, adding content elements to the page, and specifying their look and feel. The result is a well-designed course that is purpose-built for the delivery of e-learning. An asset-based LCMS is centered on the creation, management, Benefits of LCMS Technologies One of the largest issues LCMS technology offers many advantages, including: ■ ■ ■ ■ Increasing the efficiency of content developers. Supporting collaborative development. Driving down training costs. Helping to meet compliance requirements by maintaining strict control over content versions and historical account of changes over time. ■ Reducing training time and improving learning by delivering more personalized content. delivery, and publishing of all learning content — not just e-learning. Content created using asset-based LCMS authoring tools allows organizations to save useful chunks of content, called “assets ,”a single time in a central repository. The content is stored without a specific design or navigation. This frees the organization to assemble and deliver these assets as often and in as many places as needed. Matching Business Drivers to LCMS Models Both models can deliver significant benefit and the decision is very much dependent upon each organization’s business drivers. For example, Orange County Teacher’s Federal Credit Union (OCTFCU) uses a page-based LCMS to create, manage and deploy employee training through e-learning. Their analysis showed they are developing courses 75% faster, reducing course development costs by 80%, and increasing learning effectiveness. In fact, shortly after implementing the system, surveys showed dramatic customer satisfaction improvement, particularly in the category of employee knowledge. A large healthcare organization, on the other hand, has a need to distribute learning via the Web, CDs, workshop manuals and even handheld devices. Using an asset-based approach, they find they can develop their learning content a single time and re-use 21 Training Industry Quarterly, Spring 2008 / A Training Industry, Inc. ezine / www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ http://www.trainingindustry.com/TIQ

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008

Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008 At the Editor’s Desk Contents Winning Organizations Through People Before You Buy… Learning Technologies Take Your ROI to Level 6 LCMS: A Critical Link to Learning Success Establishing Best Practices for Learning Governance Training’s Role in Continuous Improvement Meet Jim Mitnick Meet Karen Kocher Meet Christina Cernuch The Personal Side of Personnel Training Closing Arguments

Training Industry Quarterly - Spring 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.