New learning management systems arrive on the scene almost daily. These technologies include both key functionalities and features you expect to find as well as additional capabilities that, in some cases, go above and beyond those found in some of the best-known pre-existing systems. Here are five up-and-coming LMS providers to watch.
1. Interactyx Limited: This provider’s Topyx system includes the ability to integrate Twitter, LinkedIn, Skype and Facebook. Further, social Q&A, blogs, wikis, free videoconferencing, and events — similar to Meetup.com — are just a few of the additional features that enable Topyx to be part of the fast-growing social learning management system space.
“Social media plays a large part in our course and curriculum design, so the fact that Topyx understands the importance of social media and has incorporated it into their LMS is a huge advantage,” said Jasmin Brand, CEO of Brandpointe, a provider of workforce and occupational training programs.
“Topyx provides free implementation for unlimited users, customer service, customized branding and lifetime upgrades in the full version.”
2. OutStart TrainingEdge: This company’s LMS has an Ask an Expert function that offers the learner immediate access to subject-matter experts (SMEs). While taking a course, the learner can ask a question related to the course topic. SMEs are then identified by the system and sent the learner’s question. To avoid multiple responses, once one SME responds, the others will be unable to do so.
Julie Thomas, president and CEO of ValueSelling Associates, said it is the system’s flexibility that makes it stand out.
“The flexibility in their system has enabled us to run the business model we want and not have to conform,” Thomas said.
3. ICS Learning Group: “Give people tools that are intuitive and similar to those they use every day on their computers, and you have Inquisiq,” said Kevin Thibodeau, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Vapotherm, a medical device company.
Inquisiq R3 is a rapid LMS that offers the standard features a learning leader would expect but aims to streamline functionality. On the learner side, this can be seen in the layout and navigation. Inquisiq’s administrator features are easy to use, quick and uncluttered. The system also includes an authoring tool that anyone can use, regardless of technical ability. Inquisiq R3 can be implemented in as little as one day.
4. Blatant Media: Absorb Anywhere is a Flash-based LMS that can work on any device or browser that can run the Flash plug-in. Absorb Anywhere provides core LMS features along with several social media applications, such as social Q&A, discussion boards, forums, knowledge bases and the ability to include RSS feeds in external learning content.
This solution is also constantly evolving to meet learners’ needs.
5. Upside Learning: Upside LMS is another example of a social learning management system. The system has real-time Twitter feeds built in, allowing learners to see the tweets of those following them or those who are friends of theirs within the LMS. They also can see their friends’ tweets from outside the system.
The LMS also includes a WordPress blog that learners can post to, and postings can be viewed both from within and outside the system. Further, while the system’s wiki resembles Wikipedia, the discussions section looks similar to LinkedIn group discussion pages. Also included are features to enable the creation of communities, as well as the ability to create photo albums and upload videos. Similar to YouTube content, these videos can track who uploaded the content and when the videos were uploaded or updated and monitor the number of views.