e-Learning for the Enterprise: Why Learning Content Management Matters Most

e-Learning for the Enterprise: Why Learning Content

Management Matters Most

Bryan Chapmane-Learning AnalystBrandon-hall.com

Presented at Online Learning 2001

© 2001 brandon-hall.com

Traditional e-learning model

Learning Management System


Live, Virtual Classrooms

e-assessment

Online University

Classroom

Custom e-learning

“Off-the-Shelf” e-learning


Emerging Technology - LCMS



Live, Virtual ClassroomsOnline University

Classroom

LCMSLearning Content

Management System


Management System

• Convergence of Knowledge Management and traditional e-learning

• Based on learning object model, reusability, and team development


Definition

LCMS (èl-see-em-ess):

1) A multi-user environment where learning developers can create, store, reuse, manage and deliver digital learning content from a central object repository.

2) Acronym for Learning Content Management System.


LCMS vs. LMS

LMS LCMS

Primary Target Users Training Managers, Instructors, Administrators

Content Developers, Instructional Designers,

Project Managers

Provides primary management of…

Learners Learning Content

Management of Classroom, Instructor-led Training

Performance Reporting of Training Results

Primary Secondary

Learner Collaboration

Keeping Learner Profile Data

Sharing learner data with an ERP system

Event Scheduling


LCMS vs. LMS (cont)

LMS LCMS

Competency Mapping – Skill Gap Analysis

Content Creation Capabilities

Organizing reusable content

Creation of Test Questions and test administration

Dynamic pretesting and adaptive learning

Workflow tools to manage the content development process

Deliver content by providing navigational controls and look & feel


LCMS - Significant Event Timeline

Circa November 2000 – Formation of the LCMS Vendor Council

Circa February 2001 - The acronym LCMS begins appearing on literature and trade show booths at Training 2001

April 12, 2001 - Centra acquires MindLever, rebrands the LCMS as “Centra Knowledge Server”

June 4, 2001 – Docent significantly increases its internal content management system functionality and releases it with Docent version 5.0

June 27, 2001 – Saba acquires Ultris, rebrands as “Saba Content”

July 16, 2001 – KnowledgePlanet acquires Peer3, rebrands as “KnowledgePlanet Content”

September 6, 2001 – Click2Learn releases Aspen Enterprise Learning Platform – converting in-house tool “REDS” to Aspen Content Development Server and acquired Intelliprep to Aspen Learning Experience Server

September 24, 2001 – ThinQ announces that they will “deeply integrate” with Outstart


Interoperability with 3rd Party LMS

29 LCMS Systems




Management System


Management System

105

4

3

3

2

2

2

2

2


Review of LCMS products

• Adaptive Learning Framework (ibtraining.com)

• Adaptive Tutoring System (Adaptive Tutoring)

• Aspen Content Development Server (Click2Learn)

• Aspen Content Delivery Server (Click2Learn)

• Centra Knowledge Server (Centra)

• Docent Outliner/Content Delivery Server (Docent)

• ePath Learning (ePath Learning)

• Evolution (Outstart)

• f(2) (Interactive Media)

• iAuthor (NYUOnline)

• LEAP Learning Development System (Intellinex)

• iPerformance (Online Courseware Factory)• IPRESS/KBRIDGE (KnowledgeXtensions)

• Jupiter (Avaltus)

• Knowledge Mechanics Studio (Knowledge Mechanics)

• Knowledge Pathways (Global Knowledge)• Knowledge Producer (IBM Mindspan Solutions)

• Knowledgelinx 2000 (Knowledgelinx)

• KnowledgePlanet Content (KnowledgePlanet)

• KnowledgeOne Content Manager (LeadingWay Knowledge Systems)

• Lightspeed Omnisite (Lightspeed Interactive)

• LogicBuilder (LogicBay)

• Nogginware (Handshaw, inc.)

• SmartBuilder (Suddenly Smart)

• SWIFT (Gemini Learning Systems)

• Theorix (Theorix)

• TopClass (WBT Systems)• Total Knowledge Management (TKM) System (Generation21)

• Vitalect (Vitalect)

• VuePoint Learning System (VuePoint)

* Members of the LCMS Vendor Council in blue


“Points of Pain”

• Can’t keep pace with the volume of content needed

• Inefficiencies of developing content on the desktop

• Lack of macro-management of overall development process

• Previously created content is difficult to find and use

• Need for re-purposing content (multiple, derivative versions)

• Content created for one delivery format is not usable in another format

• Difficulties of creating adaptive learning using traditional authoring tools

• Inconsistencies in delivery standards

• Difficulties of frequently changing content

• Problems with manually attaching authored content to an LMS


Characteristics of an LCMS

Based on a Learning Object Model

Content is reusable across courses, curricula or across the entire enterprise

Content is not tightly bound to a specific template and can be re-deployed in a variety of formats such as e-learning, CD-ROM, print-based learning, PALM, EPSS, etc.

Navigational controls are not hard coded at the content (or page) level

There is a complete separation of content and presentation logic

Content is stored in a central database repository

Content can be represented as XML or is stored as XML

Content can be tagged for advanced searchability (both at the media and the topic level)


Characteristics of an LCMS (con’t)

Pre-tests and Post-tests can be automatically aggregated from test questions written for the primary instruction. In addition, the system can delivery the test and prescribe learning based on performance

The system manages the development process by providing some level of workflow tools to manage a multi-developer, team environment.

Version controls and archiving capabilities to store previous versions of content

Advanced searching capabilities across all objects in the repository

Interoperable with 3rd party learning management systems

Includes a delivery engine for serving up content, automatically adding navigation controls, collaboration tools, utilities, and look & feel (skins)


Anatomy of an LCMS

Learning ObjectRepository

Learning ObjectRepository

MicrosoftWord

MicrosoftWord

MIDDLEWARE

MIDDLEWARE

DELIVERY

ENGINE

DELIVERY

ENGINE

PowerPointPowerPoint

Built-inAuthoring Utilities

(Browser-Based orLocally Installed Application)

Built-inAuthoring Utilities

(Browser-Based orLocally Installed Application)

Content Creation

Interfaces

Flash(and other 3rd party

Authoring tools)

Flash(and other 3rd party

Authoring tools)

Content Assembly Interface

(course hierarchy)

HTMLEditor

Embedded or external

HTMLEditor

Embedded or external

Database Storage Publish Learning(add navigation controls, etc.)

e-Learninge-Learning

CD-ROMCD-ROM

Print-basedPrint-based

PALM(and other mobile

devices)

PALM(and other mobile

devices)

EPSSEPSS

OutputType?

Assemble at runtime

Pre-compile

C:\Media \graphics

\animations \audio \video

Output Formats

Documents

e-Learning for the Enterprise: Why Learning Content Management Matters Most