LMS vs. eLearning Platforms: Know the key differences!
Jan 09, 2023
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The market size of the e-learning market crossed USD 315 billion in 2021 and is predicted to observe a 20% CAGR during the forecast period of 2022-2028.
Demand for learning management systems and eLearning platforms has increased significantly since the outbreak. Despite their widespread use, few are aware of the many distinctions between them despite their shared notion of online learning and the fact that they belong to the same field. To a certain extent, LMSs and eLearning systems can be viewed as opposite sides of the same coin. As a rule, consumers make poor business decisions and waste time, energy, and resources on the wrong product for their company. In other instances, however, they acquire the appropriate product, which may be an LMS, an eLearning platform, or both. However, in many instances, the final product is neither a learning management system nor an eLearning platform.
In order to ensure you get the most suitable product for your requirements, it is essential to conduct thorough research. You may save time and energy by reading this article to learn the key distinctions between learning management systems (LMSs) and eLearning platforms and then make an informed decision about which one is best for you.
eLearning
All forms of instruction and training supplied electronically are referred to as "e-learning" in its broad sense. It's an easy, low-cost way to expand one's skill set and advance one's career. Staff members like it because it's relaxing, and companies like its affordability. The convenience of e-learning means that classes can be taken at any time, from any location.
LMS (Learning Management System)
Many people use the "eLearning" phrase interchangeably with "LMS," yet it does not accurately characterize these computer programs. Corporate LMSs like Acendre serve a somewhat different purpose and provide many more features than e-learning platforms. In simple words, an e-learning platform is a website that hosts a variety of educational resources. To utilize them, you must navigate to the relevant page, sign in, and choose a suitable training course from the list provided.
eLearning vs. LMS
While both platforms serve similar purposes, there is a significant distinction between them.
Ownership of the course:
You have full legal and intellectual ownership rights to any course you develop in an LMS. You don't need anyone's approval to edit your course, add new lectures, or alter existing ones. The course will stay the same unless you delete or edit it. However, you get a different flexibility with an eLearning platform than with an LMS. Although you have considerable control over the look and feel of your course, the platform ultimately has the final say. And if they find that your course violates their rules, they have the right to alter it or even remove it entirely.
This Is How It Works:
A functional divide exists between a learning management system (LMS) and an e-Learning platform. These LMSs cater to a specific audience and have many features to accommodate them. An e-Learning platform, on the other hand, may not always have all the characteristics of an LMS. In some cases, an e-Learning platform is just a website where one can access educational content but needs more tools to monitor performance and connect with other instructors through social media.
Accessibility:
In most cases, e-learning platforms are hosted, while learning management systems can be hosted or installed on a company's servers. Because of this, eLearning platforms are more adaptable, scalable, and accessible from any location with an internet connection. However, LMS is typically accessed within the confines of a company's internal network.
Pricing:
Virtually all LMSes offer a wide range of features and are compatible with many add-ons. As a result, they are incredibly potent, but at the expense of a high price. On the other hand, eLearning platforms are intended to be less on functionality while providing greater adaptability and scalability than LMSs. Therefore, despite LMSs' more robust feature set, eLearning systems are still more cost-effective.
Support:
Quality customer service is an integral part of any software purchase. When you decide on a learning management system, you'll be able to post questions and start tickets for any problems you encounter. There isn't always a choice for support on e-learning platforms. Therefore, you cannot progress further in creating or managing your online educational resources.
Conclusion
Among the many uses for a learning management system is keeping tabs on how well your learners are doing in lectures. Conversely, eLearning systems' interfaces are more intuitive and visually appealing. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can pick either one. Choosing a learning management system is a professional choice. eLearning is viable if you need a system to develop and administer your content.
Tags: English