One of the key features of a learning management system is reporting and analytics. LMS reporting tells you who is using your system and how they are using it. This information can go a long way toward helping you optimize corporate online learning programs.
But many companies use their reports mainly for show. They get little actionable insights and business results from their analytics. That’s hurting not just businesses, but employees and other learners as well.
Without the right reports and follow-up actions, you could be pushing out training materials that leave your employees disengaged, struggling with difficult content, or even dissatisfied with your program as a whole. All those concerns lead to business problems such as reduced training effectiveness and employee productivity, or even poor satisfaction.
Don’t Overlook These 3 Important Insights from Your LMS Reports
Do you need to measure how well an online learning module or L&D program is doing? LMS reporting can help. Here are three important insights LMS reports provide:
1. How engaged learners are in training -- A disengaged learner is not going to reap all the benefits of training, no matter how good it is. LMS reports reveal whether or not workers are engaged with training, and to what degree.
“(LMS reports) offer information on how corporate learners interact with the online training content and how often. As a result, you're able to gauge whether they are invested in the online training process, or if they lack the necessary motivation,” stated eLearning Industry.1
LMS reports should include registration for eCourses or tracks, the completion rate for each, any applicable certification awards, and course progress. Many systems also integrate with Google Analytics to give more details data on how your site is being used. This information isn’t just for show. It’s meant to provide actionable insights administrators can use to improve training content and results.
For example, if it’s clear learners are disengaged with training because users are only spending minimal time on your site and not registering for courses, they’re likely not getting the skills they need to perform their jobs effectively. You should take steps to make material more interesting. Online simulations, social learning tools, and branching scenarios can increase employee engagement with an online course or program. As you increase engagement, you’ll also increase training ROI, knowledge retention, and skill competency.
2. How difficult online learning content is -- Online courses should be challenging, but if they are too difficult, learners could easily get discouraged and be deterred from participating in them. LMS reports indicate how difficult online courses or activities are by showing administrators how long it takes learners to complete them - or if they complete them at all.
If learners are taking too long to get through an eLearning course or activity, check in with them. Find out why the content is too difficult. It could be that their learning paths should be altered to better meet their needs, or perhaps course content should be tweaked.
A few tactics you could use to help learners through their courses include breaking up difficult concepts into microlearning modules that are easier to understand, or adding in-person elements. After a difficult section, you could prompt learners to schedule a meeting with their mentor or a training professional to review materials.
By using LMS reports to pinpoint and improve difficult courses, you’ll improve course completion and help learners gain more skills. As a result, employees will be more effective at their jobs and improve productivity.
3. How satisfied learners are with their training experience -- Training and development is a major motivator for many employees. Eighty-seven percent of millennials rate learning and development opportunities as important in their jobs.2
Determining learner progress is helpful when trying to get an idea of how successful your company’s online training program is from an employee’s point of view. LMS reports can show you how happy your employees are with training and reveal areas that need to be improved.
Some LMS reports show learner satisfaction rates. “The LMS can compile data from surveys, polls, and questionnaires, then transform the raw data into graphs and charts,” wrote Christopher Pappas, founder of eLearning Industry.³ This data gives you direct insight into what is working, what isn’t, and what changes to make to get better results from your online learning program.
Use LMS Reports to Improve Your Employee Training Program
If you aren't fully utilizing LMS reporting, it’s hurting your training program.
LMS reporting and analytics helps you determine learner engagement, training difficulty, and the effectiveness of your L&D program. All these insights can be applied to your current eLearning program to make it a success and ensure a better ROI for your company.
Related Reading: 3 Signs an LMS Lacks the Right Reporting Tools
Are You Satisfied with Your LMS Reports?
Most learning management systems offer robust reporting and analytics tools. If yours doesn’t, or if you would like to get a feel for how these features operate in a different corporate LMS, request a free demo of TOPYX.
References:
1. eLearning Industry. 8 LMS reports every eLearning professional needs to check. https://elearningindustry.com/lms-reports-elearning-professional-needs-check.
2. Adkins, Amy and Rigoni, Brandon. Millennials Want Jobs to Be Development Opportunities. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236438/millennials-jobs-development-opportunities.aspx
3. Pappas, Christopher. 9 essential LMS reports to successfully run an eLearning company. https://www.getadministrate.com/blog/essential-lms-reports-successfully-run-elearning-company/.
