The term „Learning Management System“ is often used as a synonym to „Learning Platform“ and "eLearning". This is not just slightly confusing, but simply wrong.
What is a Learning Platform?
A learning platform entails the perspective of learners. Usually it is a website featuring learning media, such as tutorials, WBTs and videos.
Learning Platforms can also offer training events for classroom courses, curricula and blended learning concepts with tests and optional learning units.
- Youtube can be seen as an open learning platform. It is basically open for anybody with internet access. Content can be viewed by any interested party.
- Commercial learning platforms such as LinkedIn or coursera offer a broad variety of learning subjects. A registration is necessary and content is usually not free of charge.
- Enterprises offer their staff learning platforms featuring targeted, business related training content. Usually this training portfolio is only accessible to certain target groups, such as staff, technical service partners and customers. Learning Portals protect personal data and assigned functionalities.
A learning platform never comes on it's own and is connected to an organization. This may be an academy, a public or commercial training institute or an enterprise. In any case the organization administrates the learning platform by employing a Learning Management System (LMS).
What is a Learning Management System?
A LMS (short for Learning Management System) focussed the administrative perspective of the learning platform. Course events, tests and learning units must not only be published but updated and released for enrollment.
Access to the training-portfolio is usually password protected and maybe enhanced with a paywall. Within organizations it is not unusual that enrollment is limited by approval workflows. These conditions, versatile role&rights concepts and more functiononalities are defined within the learning management system.
![[Translate to English:] Qualifikationsprofil](/fileadmin/Content/Website/Screens/QualTabl_01.jpg)
Completed eLearnings, tests, courses and curricula may convey formal qualifications. Thus the learner is assigned a certain certification status. Depending on the individual job profile an employee may be subjected to an up-to-date qualification profile. Gap-Analysis check the current status. If qualifications are missing or have to be updated on a regular basis the LMS suggests courses, trainings or tests to refresh the qualification status.
Another part of a full-grown LMS is a versatile training administration to plan and assign events, courses, classrooms and training equipment. A software for course administration usually includes features for automated correspondence and invoicing, feedback questionnaires and a reporting tool.
What is an eLearning Platform?
An eLearning Platform is a technical specification and effects the learner only indirectly. Elearning-Units or online-tests can be enhanced with tracking codes (SCORM, xAPI ...) during production. These document the learner's progress within the learning path.
For many a regulated industry proof of training is critical (compliance, safety regulations...). Tracking codes ensure that learners have worked through all their mandatory trainings thoroughly. An eLearning-Platform may be integrated within the learning platform or is available as additional module.
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