The benefits of less clicks-to-content in your LMS
The first learning management system (LMS) was crafted in the distant 1924. It was a typewriter with a window that could administer questions. Almost a hundred years later, the evolution of LMS has surpassed the wildest dreams of those who lived in the first half of the 20th century.
Since people started using LMSs, one thing remained the same – it is a system that relies on interaction and easy navigation. People get frustrated if they’re lost while using any piece of software. There’re numerous reasons why this can happen: counter-intuitive navigation menus, clustered design, having to click too many times, etc. The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of any LMS will eventually determine whether it is a successful project for its developers or the right purchase for the end-users.
People tend to dislike using an LMS, if it evokes a feeling of heavy corporate trainings, huge chunks of information, and outdated interface. If you have never asked yourself the question whether your LMS UI/UX is important, now is the time. It makes a big difference.
The chances are that in a couple of years, most of the people that will be using an LMS would not have experienced the world without using some sort of software.
We’re constantly bombarded with new applications, software improvements and online platforms. The UI designer’s job is to reduce friction in the interaction with a service or product. And the UX designers translate users’ necessities – both problems and opportunities – into the right interactions with a certain software product, system or application.
When it comes to LMSs, one of the benefits of a good UI/UX design is the reduction of training time. Having long and tedious trainings will not result in personal improvement and will lower efficiency. The quick adoption of the LMS is a must. Ease of use is important because it motivates people and when they get the hang of it quickly, they appreciate the software product more and get inspired to achieve more.
Another important benefit is the return on investment (ROI). The idea behind using an LMS is to have high engagement rate, attract the users and most importantly – make them stay. A successful LMS is one that people use frequently and come back to. It all boils down to the simplicity and successful implementation of a good UI/UX. Adopting a least-clicks-to-content paradigm is the guaranteed path to ROI. Online learning is expensive, but the industry notices its benefits. IBM calculated that for every $1 they spent on learning management systems, they got the stellar $30 in return.
To any business that uses an LMS, it is vital to pay attention to UI/UX. Here is what we think is important and what you should be looking for:
- Intuitiveness of the design – does everything you see and click comes naturally or it feels burdensome to navigate through the system?
- Consistency – are the actions you take inside the system consistent across all menus or there is a predisposition to make unnecessary mistakes?
- Productivity – does the LMS make common tasks easy to execute and complete?
- Aesthetics – is the design appealing to the eye? The more alluring a piece of software is, the more likely it is for the users to enjoy and come back to.
- Obsolete-proofed – do you think the design and the system will survive a couple of years from now?
Smart and intuitive UI/UX design can enhance overall productivity, increase the retention rate (both in terms of knowledge and when it comes to keeping your talent), and it can decrease the time for introduction and integration of new products or services.
