Your LMS Is Probably Failing: Check These 6 Components to See if Your Training Is Fully Optimized

While it's great to have an LMS, if you're not optimizing it for scalability and changing company needs, your training will fail. 

In this blog post, we'll provide you with a checklist for freshening up your training content and taking your employee training program to the next level. If you have a training platform, this checklist will help you evaluate your current training content, identify areas for improvement, and create a plan for success. So let's get started!

Assess Your Current Training Content

The first step in freshening up your training content is to assess what you currently have in place. Start by evaluating the effectiveness of your current training materials. Are they engaging and informative, or do they fall short? Are they easy to understand, or do they leave your employees confused? Take note of any areas where your current content could be improved.

Once you've evaluated your current training content, it's time to identify specific areas for improvement and set goals for your spring cleaning efforts. Do you need to update outdated materials? Simplify complex concepts? Add interactive elements to increase engagement? Create a plan for what changes you want to make and set measurable goals for achieving them. By setting clear objectives, you'll be better equipped to track your progress and ensure that your efforts are making a difference.

Here are a few specific examples of what to look for within your training platform:

1. Low Feedback Survey Results 

Check-in on the direct feedback from your team. Are there any courses falling below the mark? Take the time to check why and trust that your Learners know what they're talking about. 

2. Often-Missed Quiz or Assessment Answers

If your Learners consistently answer the same quiz question incorrectly, evaluate why. The course may not have been clear about this key point or the question may be worded in a confusing way. 
 
If the content is misleading or confusing, consider using metaphors and known situations to simplify complex concepts. If your training materials are full of technical jargon or difficult-to-follow explanations, your employees may struggle to absorb the information they need to do their jobs effectively.

To simplify complex concepts in your training content, start by reviewing your existing materials to identify areas that are difficult to understand. Look for sections where your language may be overly complex or where your explanations may be confusing.

Once you've identified areas that could be simplified, consider using clear language and visuals to help convey your message. Use plain language wherever possible, avoiding technical jargon and complex sentence structures. Consider breaking complex concepts into smaller, more easily digestible chunks, and use visuals such as diagrams, charts, and infographics to help illustrate your points.

Remember, the goal of employee training is to ensure that your employees have the knowledge and skills they need to do their jobs effectively. By simplifying complex concepts, you'll make it easier for your employees to absorb the information they need and apply it in their work.

3. Non-Stellar LMS Course Reviews

In Knowledge Anywhere's LMS, Learners can rate, review, and comment directly on courses they've taken. Check to see if there is an underperforming course rating and see why people are upset about it. 

4. Created and Updated Course Dates

When were your courses created and last updated? Food is not the only thing that can expire - information, especially industry-specific training regarding rules, policies, or compliance, can age badly quickly. Make sure your content is up-to-date and accurate.

One of the most important steps in freshening up your training content is to update any outdated materials. As your industry evolves, new information and best practices emerge, and it's essential to keep your training content up-to-date to ensure that your employees are receiving accurate information.

Start by reviewing your existing training materials to determine which ones are outdated and need to be updated. Look for content that is no longer relevant or accurate, or that could be improved with new information or insights.

Once you've identified outdated content, create a plan to refresh these materials and keep them up-to-date going forward. This might involve researching new information, rewriting sections of your training content, or collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure that your materials are accurate and effective.

To ensure that your training content stays up-to-date over time, consider establishing a review process to regularly evaluate and update your materials. By keeping your training content current and accurate, you'll ensure that your employees have access to the latest information and are better equipped to do their jobs.

5. Retake Inventory of Goals and Needs

Goals change, and as organizations grow, it's easy to out-scale your Learning Management System. Take stock of your company's latest needs and make sure your program matches those goals, considering LMS features, tier and Learner usage levels, and course content. It may be time to migrate systems, reach out to a Training Advisor, or try features that you have not had a need for up until now. 
 
Sometimes, organizations outgrow their training platforms. If your current LMS is non-scalable or doesn't have the features you need to be successful, it may be time to change systems. We know - changing platforms can be a lot of work. But migrating to vendor with stellar software and hands-on support can save you time and money in the long run. If you'd like to learn more, read our article about migrating training platforms here. 

6. Flag Unused Content and Unengaged Learners

Some courses not being clicked on or completed at all? Maybe it's time to sunset those! If a Learner has not logged into your training platform in a long time, you may want to Archive those Learners by making them Inactive. We highly suggest NOT deleting them from your system, but having them as Inactive Learners may clear up your training statistics and keep your Learner count from going above a tier limit, where you may have to pay extra. 

One way to freshen up your training content and increase engagement is by incorporating interactive elements. Interactive training content can help keep your employees engaged and interested in the material, which can lead to better retention and improved job performance.

To incorporate interactive elements into your training content, consider exploring options such as quizzes, simulations, and case studies. Quizzes can be a great way to test your employees' knowledge and reinforce key concepts. To add an interactive quizzing to a SCORM-compliant video, try out Scormify's new quizzing feature! 

Simulations like VR training can help employees practice skills in a safe, controlled environment while ensuring Learners are 100% engaged in the material. To try Virtual Reality training for free, check out our free trial here. 

Conclusion

Refreshing your training content is a critical aspect of a successful employee training program. Updating your training materials and creating an interactive training program will improve your employees' engagement, knowledge retention, and job performance. By assessing your current content, identifying areas of improvement, setting clear goals, simplifying complex concepts, and incorporating interactive elements, you'll be on your way to creating a comprehensive and effective training program. Remember to regularly review and update your materials to ensure that your employees have access to accurate and up-to-date information. 

To schedule a free consultation with a training expert, click here!