We're now part of the Cadmium product suite! Learn more here.We're now part of the Cadmium product suite! Learn more here.When choosing an LMS design, you want some combination of these five elements. It should merge appearance and customization with structure, accessibility, and navigation in order to create the perfect blend of look and function.
Here are the top three things to focus on when designing your learning management system.
1. Always design for usability. Of course you want it to look pretty, but, first and foremost, your LMS must be accessible and easy to navigate. Create a hierarchy of actions for learners to take, ranking them in order from essential to nonessential. Use prominent buttons, obvious links, and clean copy to direct your users.
2. Make it flow. For good flow, you need two things. First, choose a customizable LMS that can be formatted to look like your website. Learners may never realize they left your site, because your LMS will retain your header and footer, logo, navigation bar, search, and login box. Second, you’ll want the single sign-on (SSO) feature. SSO integrates the learner’s LMS experience with your official site by requiring no additional username or password entry.
3. Don’t forget about mobile users. Remember to design your LMS with mobile in mind. Mobile phone and tablet usage for educational purposes is expanding, and you don’t want to be left behind. When optimizing your LMS for mobile, ask yourself these questions: What are the core tasks for our teachers, learners, and administrators? What information needs to be accessible at all times? How does the information look on a smaller screen? How do our users interact with the information? More and more learners are expecting educational materials to be available on all devices.
Before you can utilize these LMS design basics, you must be sure to choose an LMS that suits your needs. Different LMS software will emphasize different features. Establish your priorities and carefully select an LMS first. Then, you will be fully prepared to make the most of your learning management system design knowledge.
EthosCE is the industry-leading, SCORM-compliant learning management system designed to automate and modernize the delivery of continuing education in the health professions. We work closely with leading medical association, academic centers, and health system to optimize their technology infrastructure and create an easy-to-use and intuitive environment for learners and CME administrators alike. For more information about our EthosCE, please contact us at 267-234-7401.
