Mobile LMS Done Right
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Learning management systems are the most efficient way to deliver online learning. Users can benefit from accessing resources from the comfort of their own homes or catching up on their lunch break. While this allows for great flexibility outside of work hours, some platforms are still not up to speed with the mobile interface.
With over 18 billion mobile devices predicted worldwide by 2025, it's safe to say mobile is taking over the world. A mobile LMS will only increase the outreach of responsive, efficient learning for constant training and interactive engagement. Consider the benefits and features of a mobile LMS that can bring a competitive advantage to your business.
A mobile LMS is a mobile learning management system that lets users access learning resources online or offline — from any location. A mobile LMS integrates with many different devices to deliver learning whenever and wherever convenient. In 2020 alone, global users spent over 1.6 trillion hours on mobile devices, highlighting how much people from all around the world rely on mobile for entertainment, learning, communication, and information.
This is where a mobile-first LMS comes in because it is specifically created for on-the-go learning when users don't have access to their desktop or home computer. Below are the core features that make up a mobile-first LMS.
An LMS must focus on the user experience (UX) and user interface design (UID) to be considered mobile-first. This means it must have full capability for users looking to learn while traveling. A mobile-first LMS should open and function easily, just as LMSs for a PC.
A mobile LMS is different and built to include important, necessary features only because too many unneeded features will create a heavy system, making it more difficult for the learner to use and navigate. Within the mobile interface, there may be some features or accessories the learner doesn't need to access, so keeping the user experience clean and efficient is a key function of a mobile-first LMS. The user can quickly access training content, even with limited data or network bandwidth.
Device compatibility is another significant component of a mobile-first LMS. Laptops, smartphones, and tablets are some examples of devices users carry while on the go. While it's necessary for learners to access their LMS on these devices, it's just as important that they can use them effectively across multiple devices.
For example, a learner might be waiting to board their flight in an airport, and they wish to switch to their smartphone for online learning when their tablet needs to charge. A mobile-first LMS will allow the learner to switch between devices easily and maintain access to resources because it integrates over multiple platforms.
This provides an advantage for learners who can simply choose a device that best suits them as they are on the move and need to keep up with their training.
One of the benefits of using a mobile device is the available apps that function more seamlessly than a web browser. When you use your preferred social media or banking apps, it's usually a lot faster and easier than accessing them from the website itself, because apps are built for a simpler, mobile interface. For a mobile LMS to function properly on such a device, it must be available as a downloadable app through an Android or iOS application store.
An LMS with a mobile app lets learners benefit from an operating system meant for particular features and designs and make complete use of what it has to offer. An LMS app also uses minimal bandwidth for mobile optimization, enabling learners to download and use training courses and other resources while in offline mode.
The primary function of a mobile LMS is to provide training for learners on the move. This means extra convenience and on-demand availability for those who are traveling, located in a different state or country or new hires who must complete training before relocating. Training is also available for existing employees or learners who simply wish to refresh their memory and maintain their qualifications for company regulations and requirements.
Over the years, the LMS has shifted from desktop-only learning to administering courses on a mobile device, pushing the boundaries of software to embrace the change we see with all technology in our world.
Traditional company software and applications are built entirely with the desktop in mind and scale down its features to work on a mobile device. Usually, as the software transfers over to mobile use, it loses much of its optimization and UX and UID features to fit a smaller screen and device with less computing power. This means the user is often left with an application with very limited capabilities and usage compared to the desktop version.
A mobile LMS is built the other way around and considers the features and accessories required for proper function on a mobile device. A mobile-first LMS can become a PC-based software with additional features, making the mobile version just as capable as the desktop one.
Aside from the opportunity to learn from any location at any time, there are plenty of other benefits to a mobile LMS that traditional LMSs may not always offer. Here are the top eight benefits of using a mobile LMS compared to a desktop version.
Enhanced Flexibility: Access to learning anytime, anywhere enables users to get more out of their training and access it when they feel energized and ready to learn. Whether they have extra time on their lunch break or want to finish up a course while commuting on a train home, they can keep up with training requirements whenever it suits them.
A mobile LMS increases flexibility for your company as a whole. When a company limits its LMS to desktop capabilities, most employees will have to complete training during work hours or stay after the business day if they don't have a desktop at home. Over time, these limitations may force you to arrange employee training hours on the clock, leading to increased operating costs.
With a mobile LMS, employees access learning resources from a wide range of devices, enabling them to follow their schedule based on their training requirements.
Better Knowledge Retention: While online training provides plenty of benefits, the most important function is for users to retain what they have learned and use the information to strengthen and develop their skills. Without retaining the knowledge they learn in training, the LMS becomes less valuable. A mobile-first LMS consists of engaging, interactive and concise courses for users to learn and quickly complete each course as they progress.
This design comes equipped with various multimedia elements, such as images, audio and video, to encourage learners to pay attention and recall the information later, increasing employee engagement. Mobile interface learning focuses primarily on highlighting important points, improving the likelihood of users remembering what they learned when they need it.
Simple Design and Easy-to-Use Interface: Employees will be able to focus better with a mobile-first LMS with a visually appealing design. If they attempt to use a cluttered, difficult and confusing interface, they may give up trying to access training or lose interest in learning. When opting for a mobile LMS — once you provide clear instructions as to how to navigate the features — employees and other users can easily access assigned courses and other resources in no time.
Higher Completion Rates: Course completion rates are just as critical as retention rates. If employees find it difficult to manage a course, they may feel less inclined to complete it and miss out on the valuable knowledge that facilitates their career growth. A mobile LMS offers wireless access to courses — often followed by brief quizzes or assessments to analyze the learner's understanding of the course — making it easier for them to complete on time.
A mobile-first LMS empowers employees to finish their training quickly as they go through courses and tests one by one, resulting in higher completion rates when combined with the flexibility and convenience of mobile access.
Consistently Updated Content: There are many different job roles within the regulated industries around the world, so it's essential to have updated content available at all times. A mobile-first LMS is an excellent way to keep these employees up-to-date with their training to improve skills and enhance performance on daily job tasks.
With a mobile LMS, managers and supervisors can assign specific courses for employees with gaps in their performance and update training content at any time, providing the latest information, tools and software to keep all employees within a particular role on the same page.
Employees can also browse through the mobile interface and select courses that interest them and help boost their learning. A mobile LMS allows users to track their progress regardless of their location, motivating them to reach their potential and expand their knowledge over time.
Increased Engagement: With interactive content and intuitive designs, businesses can also benefit from increased levels of engagement in learners. Built-in navigation for a mobile LMS makes it easier for users to find what they're looking for with convenience that motivates them to learn. Rather than figuring out how to use the interface or locate the courses themselves, learners get to spend more time focusing on the actual content and get the most use out of it.
A mobile LMS lets you include instructions for specific employees or courses regarding how they should engage and perform each interaction to ensure they understand their training.
Personalized Learning Path: A mobile LMS notifies and reminds users through their devices when instructors add new training courses or when they need to refresh their skills with existing training to enhance their skill sets. These features create a personalized learning journey for each employee, as everyone in your company will have different roles, responsibilities and needs that may require various training.
On this continuous training path, employees can track their progress at any time and view the courses they've already completed while resuming previous courses they need to finish.
Encourages Improved Performance: Being able to track progress and accomplishments is important for employees because it allows them to self-analyze their performance. A mobile LMS offers this capability with progress bars indicating how much training they have completed and encouraging them to keep going and reach their learning goals. Learners can view the results of their courses and tests immediately to discover where they need to strengthen their knowledge.
Managers and supervisors can view results and provide one-on-one feedback to help employees achieve their goals and deliver the quality output that will advance their skill development. Every business differs in size and structure, and each employee has different training needs, so having access to these performance metrics is a great way to optimize learning methods for everyone.
Choosing the mobile LMS that fits your needs is important because it will define how your users learn their knowledge and develop their skills as they advance in their career development. Here are some additional functionalities to consider when selecting a mobile LMS.
When implementing a globally-used online platform like a mobile LMS, it must have remote support capabilities. If employees have an issue with their account or need to reset their password, administrators can quickly provide managerial functions from any location and ensure employees have uninterrupted access to their training.
A personalized to-do list with the ability to view and access past and present requirements makes the entire training process easier. With ISOtrain's iMobile Dashboard, employees can:
Register for self-train courses and instructor-led sessions.
View their current qualifications.
Plan ahead to stay on top of training commitments.
See which requirements are due.
Schedule courses to attend every day, week or month and rearrange or cancel as needed.
Access resources and company news through automatic email notifications.
With iMobile, your LMS reaches new heights as it works around your employee's unique needs and training requirements.
A mobile LMS features the same integrated global access as smartphones and tablets. Regardless of a learner's location, they will have access to enterprise-wide tasks on a global scale. iMobile's dashboard provides a connection to ISOtrain, where users can browse the course catalog and stay current on company events. Global access maintains connectivity and productivity within many regulated industries as it meets employees' needs.
While training from anywhere is convenient for all learners, it's also important for maintaining qualification and compliance requirements within your business. iMobile lets administrators, training coordinators and supervisors communicate with employees and view or manage their assigned training at any given time.
This feature provides solutions that motivate all learners to stay proactive with their training schedules as all activity is automatically tracked, documented and readily available for auditing purposes, helping all learners stay on track with procedural and industrial regulations.
For a crisp, seamless experience, your mobile LMS works well with your existing software and data so learning is continuously beneficial and connected across all platforms and devices. Under ISOtrain's umbrella, iMobile offers instructors and employees a fully integrated experience and direct connection to secure data, social collaboration blogs, forums and multimedia virtual learning options.
With iMobile, all features are automatically registered in ISOtrain, so content and qualifications remain up-to-date and compliant with organizational and regulatory requirements.
There are endless advantages to a mobile LMS because it offers everything a standard LMS provides with even more configured capabilities and easier use for those located around the world. With ISOtrain Mobile, you and your company will benefit from all of these functionalities and convenient features for global, manageable access at any time and any place.
iMobile is the solution to increase quality, productivity and efficiency in training and learning resources for many regulated industries. Keep employees on track with requirements and empower them to take control of their training on their own time for improved flexibility.
Contact us today for a product demonstration or submit a request for a free trial to learn what services are right for you.
