4 essential LMS tools you need to create a successful learning program

Just as a carpenter is limited by the tools in his or her toolbelt, instructional designers and administrators are limited by the tools of their learning management systems. Having the right LMS tools when you need them can make all the difference when it comes to creating a successful learning or training program.

These top LMS tools can save you time and money

There are certain tools that are essential to the everyday functionality of an LMS that educators must always have at their disposal. And then there are tools that go beyond just everyday usability. Maybe you need these tools from time to time. But when you need them, you need them.

When it comes to learning and development, you need to have the right mix of these tools – everyday use and sporadic, yet valuable ones – to create a successful learning or training program. You don’t want to begin using an LMS to find out that you either have to use a third-party program to do what you need or you just have to go without.

Having the right LMS tools creates a streamlined workflow and decreases your reliance on costly third-party platforms. But again, only the correct ones will give you this effect. To help you cut through the noise, focus on these top LMS tools.

LMS development tools

LMS development tools refer to the resources that enable the creation, customization, and enhancement of educational content and experiences within a learning management system. Essentially, they allow instructional designers and administrators to create effective and engaging learning experiences within an LMS.

It is important to note that there is some overlap in the use of the word “LMS development tools.” Software developers also use development tools to actually create the software of a learning management system. So it’s important to know that you may hear the term used interchangeably.

However, if you’re using a pre-built LMS solution, you’ll only need LMS development tools that focus on curriculum development, learning enhancement, and customization. LMS development tools for administrators and instructors typically fall under three categories:

1. Course creation
2. Engagement
3. Configuration

Course creation tools allow you to create courses within an LMS platform. Whereas, engagement tools allow you to add elements to these courses that enrich the experience for your learners and actively engage them, leading to higher completion rates.

Some LMS solutions may allow you to create courses. But not all of them make it easy. And some LMS solutions may allow you to create courses, even easily. But they may not have engagement tools. An LMS solution that’s worth it will allow you to do both.

And finally, you may need to perform certain automation functions unique to your business. Or you may need to integrate with other systems. That’s where configuration development tools come in.

Tools like an Open API and other configuration tools can help you automate repetitive tasks or accommodate changes in course structures, content, user roles, and other aspects without requiring extensive coding.

LMS design tools

Dated courses or clunky interfaces lead to poor user experiences and low engagement. LMS design tools enable instructional designers to create visually appealing interfaces, course content, and multimedia elements within an LMS. Engaging visuals is key to capturing a learner’s attention and enhancing their overall experience.

LMS design tools help shape the user interface and interactions within the LMS. A well-designed interface improves navigation, accessibility, and overall usability, making it easier for learners and instructors to interact with the system.

They also allow administrators to design user interfaces, navigation structures, and access permissions that align with the preferences and needs of learners, instructors, and administrators.

Additionally, LMS design tools help maintain visual consistency across projects, ensuring that branding elements, colors, typography, and other elements align with an organization's identity. Even more, design tools allow instructors to explore new ideas, experiment with concepts, and bring unique visions to life. So the more design tools you have available, the better.

Lastly, LMS design tools can help an administrator meet accessibility standards, making it usable for individuals with disabilities. Tools for adjusting font sizes, color schemes, and screen reader compatibility enhance accessibility, which makes having access to robust design tools all the more essential.

LMS assessment tools

LMS assessment tools are essential for enhancing the experience and feedback loop between instructors and learners. Assessment tools allow educators to measure and evaluate a learner’s understanding of the course material, ensuring that learning objectives are being met. And they inform instructors on how well their strategies are working.

Assessment results provide insights into how well the instructional content is being understood by learners. And educators can use this data to adjust their teaching methods, identifying topics that need further clarification or more emphasis for more effective educational materials and training.

They also provide a mechanism for educators to offer constructive feedback to learners on their individual performance. Timely, tailored feedback helps learners understand their strengths and areas for improvement on a granular level. As a result, you can eliminate skills or knowledge gaps, creating a stronger organization.

Similarly, assessment results can be used to tailor learning paths for individual learners. Those who excel can move on to more advanced topics, while those who need additional help can receive targeted support.

LMS assessment tools, essentially, focus more on the learner. They allow educators to track learner progress and collect data, so they can provide ongoing feedback to improve learning on an individual level. This results in a more learner-centered approach to training and education.

LMS reporting tools

If assessment tools are learner-focused, LMS reporting tools are the results-oriented side of the house. LMS reporting tools allow administrators to take data collected on their learners, courses, and other training materials and draw conclusions from these insights.

In other words, assessment tools provide ongoing feedback to improve individual learning while LMS reporting tools measure final outcomes and achievements of these results for better decision-making in the future.

LMS reporting tools are essential to the performance and success of a learning program because they allow instructors to see overall program performance, identifying holistic strengths and shortcomings. And it shows trends that can inform better resource allocation and strategies in the future.

Additionally, LMS reporting tools should allow instructors to easily create reports based on their findings. This can alleviate the burden of having to evaluate and determine the results of a learning program and makes it simple to explain program performance to executives, making these tools even more invaluable.

Get all the LMS tools you need in one centralized platform

Tovuti is a best-rated LMS that reduces the need for third-party platforms – and your tech stack – by consolidating features into one easy-to-use platform. By leveraging Tovuti LMS, you alleviate administrative burden and make learning fun and easy for users.

With Tovuti, administrators can easily create engaging courses, automate their training program, track their efforts to make effective business decisions, provide tailored learning experiences, and more.

And with the most robust gamified and interactive features on the market, including over 40 plug-and-play gamified features, leaderboards, and virtual classrooms, learners are sure to retain more information and have fun doing it!