The eLearning industry has been rising steadily over the past 20 years. Since 2000, it has grown by a staggering 900%, with no signs of slowing. As technology has evolved, it has also revolutionized teaching and learning.

Because it’s growing in size, you can’t be surprised to learn an onslaught of relevant acronyms daily - VLE… LMS… or what about SCORM and XAPI? Wondering what they mean, let alone how they relate to your professional growth? You’re not alone in trying to figure it all out.

 

In this article, we’ll discuss the features of both VLE and LMS, the similarities and advantages of each type of virtual learning, and how to decide on the correct type of virtual learning for you.

 

What is an LMS?

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a platform for learning or training curriculums and is best suited for corporations and businesses. Its seamless delivery of online training allows organizations across all industries to deploy virtual training to end-users, manage training materials, and track results.

 

Advantages of an LMS

  • Customizable Learning Paths - Learning Management Systems allow Administrators to create custom learning paths for different groups of Learners, so they can grow skills specific to their job roles.
  • Tracking and real-time reporting - LMSs track and analyze Learner performance through dashboards and reports. To learn more about the analytical capabilities of an LMS, read the free eBook Make the Most of Your LMS Data.
  • Integrations with content providers - Why reinvent the wheel? Knowledge Anywhere partners with some of the best training course libraries, including LinkedIn Learning, OpenSesame, ej4, and Knowbly to give our customers access to about 50,000 pre-built, professionally made courses.
  • Simplification of processes - Albeit necessary, administrative work and any organizational operations are tedious. An LMS can automate exhaustive work and allow Administrators to manage and track all training in one central location.
  • Gamification - Learners could use encouragement, and gamification elements such as badges and leadership boards encourage usage in a fun way that allows Learners to see their progress.


Interested in knowing more? Knowledge Anywhere offers many free resources to get you started on your path to implementing an LMS! Here are a few useful ones:

 

What is a VLE?

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a modern teaching method designated for online learning. It enables students and teachers to engage and interact with each other through different mediums. Because virtual learning systems add to the physical space of the learning environment, VLEs bring extra interactivity to a learner. They also offer opportunities for students to sharpen their skills as individuals.

Advantages of a VLE

An impressive feature of VLEs is their constructivist approach. When you use a VLE, it’s like you’re asking for virtual assistance and remote support:

  • Freedom and flexibility - Students can finish assignments, school projects, and classes almost anywhere. Sometimes, they can conduct these virtual activities at any time, too.
  • Personalization - A virtual classroom offers students various participation options on how they want to interact with educational materials. They allow teachers to personalize course materials and student schedules.
  • Open communication - A VLE lets students communicate as they see fit. Students can enjoy this privilege if they want to approach their teachers for in-depth discussions.
  • Analysis - Ensuring every student keeps up to date with materials and understands their work is vital in any learning environment. A VLE helps with this by displaying real-time outcomes and providing various tracking tools for teachers to monitor student data.
  • Content safety and security - They offer a safe place to store content and access quality VLE resources anytime.

 

Similarities Between an LMS and a VLE

LMS and VLE have a similar purpose. They are both tools designed to facilitate learning and provide an opportunity to grow. Here are a few features they may have in common:

  • Content creation features - They allow publishing of educational resources and access to tools for better learning. They can also provide links to external authoritative sources.
  • Interactivity - They feature interactive tools like an online whiteboard. As a result, they allow teachers to discuss subjects more effectively.
  • Live learning - They offer support for live virtual classes. Some teachers and students prefer live sessions. This way, they can approach their fellows more easily.
  • Tracked learning - LMS and VLE can host learning materials, repurpose learning assets, and foster collaborations similar to VLE.

 

Differences Between an LMS and a VLE

While an LMS and a VLE both have similar principles, they have different end-users in mind.

An LMS allows you to use a range of learning experiences and technology, making them uniquely suited to train and develop employees in a corporate setting. They can develop employees to achieve personal, team and organizational goals. VLEs work best for educators and schools; they provide students with a more engaging and effective learning experience.

 

LMS vs. VLE: Which Is Right for You?

LMS and VLE both offer you the ability to run online courses — for some, that’s all that matters. You can choose either if you’re the only entity concerned.

If you are running a business or supervising workplace training, an LMS is the best option. If your organization is geared towards education, you may want to look into a VLE more thoroughly.

So what is Knowledge Anywhere’s role? We are an online training company that helps organizations improve results without disrupting business. We achieve this by offering a training ecosystem, including an LMS, an extensive Course Library, Custom Course Development, and more. Contact us today or sign up for a free 14 day LMS trial here!

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