Top Ten Characteristics (E. Smith)

Top Ten Characteristics of an Effective LMS

1. Cost. The cost of the LMS to operate must meet the needs of the users and administrators. If the cost is too much for the software or the server hosting, it would defeat the purpose of e-learning.
2. Longevity. The longevity of the software program and stability of the compnay. Many of these companies have come and gone. It needs to be a company who has a solid plan for improvement to meet the demand of the ever changing world of e-learning.
3. Integration. The integration of the database to work with existing systems. Choosing a system which has a database used in many different platforms will allow for data to be transferred and shared. It may even lead to easy transfer of the whole database to a new LMS.
4. Instructional Features. The interface needs to be user friendly and intuitive. If it is clunky or cluttered it will cause frustration and reduced use of the LMS.
5. Level of Support. Having good strong support from the LMS company with a quick response will keep the users and instructors happy and willling to use the product. Also having an LMS which offers different levels of support such as hosting, software integration, etc.
6. Comprehensiveness. An excellent LMS is one which can do it all. It integrates all aspects for the learner in all environments.
7. Integration of Ancillary Items. An LMS platform which can be used to integrate video, images, embedded webpages, etc.
8. Interactivity. The ability of an LMS to include interaction is very important such as linking wikis, blogs, and synchronous video is extremely valuable.
9. Progamming Language. Using a computer language you are familiar with will make it easier to integrate items such as html, asp, php, etc.
10. Authoring Tools. The types of authoring tools which the LS can support will make it easier for integration.