Leveraging a knowledge base in your LMS for effective employee training
A Learning Management System (LMS), is a software application used in education and business primarily to create, deliver, administer and track training, learning, and development programs. An LMS should have a wide variety of tools to make the training process easy for both users and administrators. Training content, files, and assets are first uploaded to an LMS platform. Then you can organize that content and build e-learning (aka web-based learning or digital learning) modules to deliver to your desired learners. In addition to e-learning, an LMS provides features that can manage instructor-led training, virtual instructor-led training, and blended approaches to learning.
LMS platforms are normally used for employee training, where subject matters can be diverse and wide-ranging. An LMS can be a powerful tool to empower employees and help them to develop a multi-faceted skill set. The key is to have an effective knowledge base that will give learners easy and accessible user experiences.
Learning Management System (LMS) used for knowledge management
Organizations can harness the power of knowledge sharing and use of a learning platform through effective knowledge management. If trainers only use an LMS for quizzes, surveys, or modules from their training programs, they’re not taking full advantage of all that an LMS offers.
Advances in learning technology have now enabled learning platforms to improve organizations’ knowledge management systems. In fact, one of the key benefits of a modern-day LMS is the functionality of capturing, curating, and creating a knowledge base from an organization’s current resources.
It is key to have a clear strategy and systems in place to organize an existing knowledge base. At the same time, it is also important to retain the knowledge gained from experiences and intellectual capital. Using tools such as an LMS can make this possible.
Here are some tips to leverage a knowledge base in your LMS and enable effective employee training:
Take stock of existing resources and materials.
You may have more information, materials, and resources at your disposal than you think. Start by taking stock of what you currently have in your files – PowerPoint presentations, handbooks, and guidebooks, videos, image gallery, past interviews, articles, even employees and supervisors who may be considered as industry experts.
Curate these resources into themes and modules. Assign subject matter experts to beef up content areas and facilitate learning conversations and collaborative projects within the LMS. These experts may be drawn from your pool of supervisors, but may also be found among learners and employees who are most engaged in a particular theme. Keep track of conversations and feedback within the LMS platform and identify who contributes the most. Those with high engagement don’t just demonstrate relevant knowledge, they also show willingness and diligence in knowledge sharing.
Assess your existing channels to create an environment conducive to social learning.
Setting up your knowledge base and information resources in an interactive platform will provide accessibility and ease of use for learners. Furthermore, training within a group setting can help facilitate online learning, collaboration, and effective information exchange.
Start by making an inventory of the communication channels that your organization uses for sharing information and knowledge. Do you use social media, an intranet, YouTube channel, even an LMS which you haven’t used yet for knowledge sharing? Consider bringing all of these available channels and resources into one central and fluid delivery system. Identify overlaps and work towards consolidating all available information. Take advantage of dynamic and interactive features (i.e. comments, thumbs up, quizzes) to turn learning content into something easier to understand. Set up expert forums and collaborative workspaces to promote conversation and participation.
Promote and extend the reach of your knowledge base.
Having a comprehensive LMS platform that is interactive and dynamic will significantly improve cohesiveness, availability, and accessibility for learners. An LMS offers a central platform and authoring tools that will enable fluid and purposeful learning delivery. Instead of merely loading learning content and using an LMS as a repository of information, consider leveraging the platform to promote collaborative workspaces and discussion forums. Knowledge shared through these mediums will provide valuable insights, information, intellectual property, and useful data that may feed the organization’s learning and development initiatives moving forward. As a central go-to channel for knowledge, the LMS knowledge base can extend the reach as well as the impact of learning content to a broader audience.
Conclusion
Today’s workplace settings deal with a rapidly changing learning environment. Having a solid knowledge base in place will assist in keeping up with the constantly evolving and fast-paced flow of information. An interactive Learning Management System that facilitates conversation, collaboration, and participation will ensure an organization is able to keep up with fresh information while ensuring existing resources remain accessible.
Learn more about how you can take advantage of a Learning Management System. Start a trial or get in touch with our team who will be more than happy to provide a walkthrough.