Training Industry Magazine - Summer 2022 - 11

STELLA LEE, PH.D.
WHAT'S NEXT
IN TECH
LEARNING MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS NEED TO GO
BEYOND " MANAGEMENT "
Since the introduction of the first
teaching machine in 1924, learning
technologies have come a long way.
Specifically, learning management
systems (LMS) have evolved over the
past decades with the introduction
of SCORM, xAPI, cloud technology,
artificial intelligence, predictive
analytics and blockchain. Furthermore,
the uptake of LMSs has been
accelerated by the shift to remote
work and learning.
On one hand, an LMS is useful in
coordinating the learning workflow; on
the other hand, the way organizations
make use of their LMSs can be very
limiting, with the focus largely on
management and tracking. There is
much more to an LMS, and it is time we
shift our paradigm when configuring
and implementing the system from
a technology-centered to a learnercentered
perspective.
CONSIDER THE ENTIRE USER
EXPERIENCE (UX)
The perceived quality of an LMS
is often based on how usable the
system is. For an effective UX, we
must consider the entire learner
journey from logging in for the first
time and browsing the course catalog
to interacting with other users in the
system and revisiting learning material.
A coherent and positive experience
is particularly important, as LMSs are
increasingly integrated with the larger
talent development ecosystem.
For example, when setting up errorhandling
messages, ensure that the
language is consistent across systems
and jargon-free - aim at the right
level for the target users, take cultural
context into account and describe how
the users can fix the error.
IT IS TIME WE SHIFT
FROM A TECHNOLOGYCENTERED
PERSPECTIVE
TO A
LEARNER-CENTERED
PERSPECTIVE.
MAKE BETTER USE OF
LEARNING ANALYTICS
While most LMSs offer functions for
tracking and reporting, there is room for
making better use of learning analytics.
In addition to pre-built reports, deep
learning
analytics capabilities can
help inform better learning design
decisions and support learners better.
Some possibilities to look for include
data visualization and
personalized
dashboards, API access for data
integration, and access to log files.
Moreover, the LMS is often the first
data source we look to extract data
from to work with an external analytics
tool, so look for richer sets of data.
Data sources such as learning data
generated by xAPI courses and
SCORM-based courses, learner
search data, survey results, learnerto-learner
interactions (e.g., discussion
forum, chat or comments) and content
engagement rates could potentially
provide greater insights and help
identify areas of improvement.
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - SUMMER 2022 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
SECURITY, PRIVACY AND
INCLUSIVITY
Considerations of system security, data
privacy and inclusivity should be in the
forefront of any LMS implementation.
Modern LMSs have improved significantly
in terms of security features - but a lot
of work still needs to be done around
learner privacy and bias in learning data.
For example, there are some LMSs that
apply biometric technology such as
facial recognition to monitor attendance
or detect engagement. Yet, facial
recognition technology is known to have
a much higher error rate in identifying
women of color, transgender and black
people in general. To mitigate the misuse
of data and data bias, issues about the
handling and storing of biometric data
need to be properly addressed, and
consent must be obtained from users.
You can start by asking LMS vendors
what type of data safeguarding best
practices are in place to ensure user
privacy, as well as advocating data policy
and governance within your organization.
While LMSs are designed primarily for
the purpose of hosting, managing and
tracking learning, it will serve us well to
look beyond the management functions
and consider learner and learning-driven
experience and support.
Dr. Stella Lee has over 20 years of
experience in consulting, planning,
designing, implementing and measuring
learning initiatives. Her focus is on largescale
learning projects including LMS
evaluation and implementation, learning
analytics, and artificial intelligent
applications. Email Stella.
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https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/teaching-machines https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/teaching-machines https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/learning-technologies/the-evolution-of-the-learning-management-system-lms/ https://trainingindustry.com/glossary/scorm/ https://trainingindustry.com/glossary/experience-api-xapi/ https://www.colorado.edu/today/2019/10/08/facial-recognition-software-has-gender-problem https://www.wired.com/story/best-algorithms-struggle-recognize-black-faces-equally/ https://www.wired.com/story/best-algorithms-struggle-recognize-black-faces-equally/ https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Training Industry Magazine - Summer 2022

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