Association management
August 3, 2020
|Associations have had to think outside the box now that social distancing has made meetings a thing of the past. Online learning is an excellent way in which associations can engage their members, provide value and support, increase their revenue, and even attract potential new members (or paying learners).
A learning management system (LMS) is, according to Wikipedia, “a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs”. Let’s unpack that a little:
Many associations have teaching and education as one of their main goals, and LMS solutions are ideal to carry out those objectives - not just during these times of social distancing, but also in general. Using a learning management system has many benefits, some of which include:
Online learning will expand your association in many ways - make sure you choose a reliable partner to support you on the technology side.
If you’re going to invest in a learning management system, make sure it includes at least all of these vital features:
The Americans with Disability Act applies to all “places of public accommodation”, including the internet, and sets a minimum standard of accessibility for everyone. However, you should not just do this because of the legal requirement, but because easy access and accommodating everyone should be at the heart of the outreach goals of every association.
Anything shared on the Internet usually must meet certain standards, so developing, designing, and operation are easy across platforms and devices. Failing to meet these standards might make it hard for your courses to be available in certain devices, online stores, or to people with disabilities or special accommodations. The most important standards at the moment are:
The AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee) created these standards to ensure data such as course completion, test scores, and number of times a course was taken were recorded accurately and safely. It’s starting to fall out of favor because it is complicated to implement.
SCORM is an acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model, it was developed by the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL) to ensure easy and effective course tracking, including points, scores, and task completion.
The Experience API or “Tin Can Standard” is a simple, flexible, and effective way for a learner to track all of their learning experiences, both online and offline. It was also created by the ADL to enhance the user experience beyond just online content.
Don’t let all the talk about personalization make you forget the importance of the social aspects of learning. Ensure students have plenty of ways to communicate during and after their courses, so they can learn together and gain even more from their experience.
Besides all the features you should expect from the software, choosing an LMS provider is like choosing a partner for your association. Ask around, read reviews, and make sure whoever provides the LMS of your choice is also a good company to work with in the long term.
Online learning will expand your association in many ways - make sure you choose a reliable partner to support you on the technology side.
At enSync we take pride in our full-service partnership with associations and organizations who use our LearningSync platform, and we would be delighted to talk to you and help you get started into the world of online learning.
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