A Learning Management System (LMS) is different from a Learning Content Management System (LCMS). How they integrate and coexist depends on the vendor, but how they fit into the learning ecosystem is valuable when determining the tools you currently use or want to use in the future.
Instancy treats the LCMS and LMS as an integral part of the ecosystem. Because the Instancy Platform has a high level of sophistication compared to many vendors, we provide the ability to deliver modular content, advanced tracking and delivery, and offline tracking and reporting.
Let’s digress a bit.
Although the terms ‘LMS’ and ‘LCMS’ are often discussed assuming they are one and the same, that is not the case. The following are popular definitions.
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Learning Management System (LMS) “A learning management system is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs. The learning management system concept emerged directly from e-Learning…” – Wikipedia
Learning Content Management System (LCMS) “A Learning Content Management System (LCMS) is an integrated multi-user administrative, authoring, and delivery platform that allows administrators to host, schedule, manage registrations, assess, test, and track online training activities.” – Training Industry
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LCMS vs LMS: What is the Difference?
Although they do share some basic functionality, the LMS cannot compete with the LCMS’s ability to author and manage content. The LMS cannot author and manage content. Learning Management Systems reside in most organizations. An authoring tool may be a standalone product or be a LCMS.
Learning professional are starting to realize the important to separate content from presentation. It is important to provide content for any type of output or media. The content must come with the ability to get that content from any system and delivered to any device. It is difficult to coexist with standalone authoring tools, management and delivery technologies.
Modern LCMS systems manage ALL pieces of the learning process. This includes formal and informal, sophisticated rapid authoring and delivery. The LCMS provides collaborative content. You can standardize design templates. You can reuse content across courses and departments. Are different parts of the learning content from different authoring tools? The ability to import is important. Today, we must assume our content plays on multiple devices.
The LCMS takes analytics for learning to the next level. Although the analytic output is only as good as the input, the top LCMS providers race to provide advanced artificial intelligence and advanced engineering. Instancy continues to be a market leader and visionary in the design
Think about everything going on in your learning and development efforts. You’re thinking about everything you currently have and the technology and content you want in the future. Now think about your Learning Ecosystem. Make a checklist to ensure your current environment and your future environment integrate. If they are not integrated, outline the gaps or problem areas.
Here at Instancy, we get excited when we advise and brainstorm your learning ecosystem. Our Instancy LCMS leads the pack to take technology one step closer to the future!
Stay tuned to our next discussion as we dig a little deeper!
