We often come across it in practice: the terms E-Learning and Learning Management System (from now on: LMS), used quite interchangeably to mean the same thing: an online tool to train your colleagues. While that may cover the load quite nicely, there are differences. Differences that allow the LMS or E-Learning each to better suit a specific need. Time to clarify the similarities and distinctions so you can make an even better choice.
As always; Wikipedia is your friend for a sensible first definition. "The E-learning (Dutch: online learning) is associated with learning activities that involve interactive use of a computer connected to a computer network. Another definition of e-learning (in a broad sense) is: any form of learning that uses a computer network for distribution, reciprocal communication and facilitation." Online interactive learning activities, in other words, aimed at increasing knowledge and performance of trainees. This, in turn, implies that E-learning software must therefore not only provide for the provision of interactive learning activities, but also have a content management system (CMS) to compose those courses. In short, everything you need to train a subject online.
Again, let's start by looking at what Wikipedia tells us about an LMS: "The LMS program provides a platform that supports the selection, tracking, and delivery of training. An LMS can be used within a company to keep track of which employees have taken, are taking, or will take what training. Results of training can be linked to job evaluations, for example." That definition implies that an LMS is actually one floor above E-Learning. With an LMS, you broadly direct the development path of your colleagues and trainees. You set up a path, with all the implications for follow-up training, responsibilities and job assessments.
So, with an E-Learning, you set up an interactive online training course, which you use to train your organization or students on a specific topic. This makes an E-Learning part of an overall LMS, in which you digitally give a place to all touch points on the learning path of a colleague or student. Because in an LMS you set up a learning path, valid from the moment of onboarding until the end station you have determined. A path that consists of E-Learnings, but perhaps also of offline training, in which you are only allowed to participate upon completion of online modules. In which certificates are awarded upon passing components, which are necessary for a job enhancement or salary increase. The difference in a nutshell? With an E-learning you manage the knowledge around a specific subject, with the LMS you manage the entire course, including that specific subject. Of course, that difference also makes it immediately clear that there is a difference in preparation time: for the broader learning path of the LMS, you will have to think about more things than training material alone.
That said, what is the appropriate route for your purpose? If your need is to offer only online interactive training and the connection between that training and other on- or offline (business) processes is low, then an LMS may be overkill. In an E-Learning tool you can then build and test the training material just fine. With a good report on the created trainings, you can then get out of the way to demonstrably train specific topics in your organization.
But if you want to shape your learners' development in a broader context, an LMS quickly becomes the better option. A good LMS offers the possibility to organize E-Learnings, but vice versa, an E-Learning platform does not offer (or only partially) the possibility to set up a broader learning path.
Of course, our preference already speaks a little to it, so let's list the benefits of a good LMS for you before the final "final blow" :
We mentioned it in the intro: we often encounter the mixing up of terms. In the case of Procademy this is not a problem. We make learning management software, in which you can also create those interactive and effective E-Learnings. We are convinced that by using a smart mix of E-Learnings, Social Learning, Virtual Classrooms and offline training, the learning efficiency increases. That is why we often see organizations knocking on our door, looking for an E-Learning and eventually setting up real continuous development with our LMS. Discover what Procademy can do for your training challenges? Then get in touch.
