Here’s How LMS Audit Logs Help Impart Training Better

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are software applications that allow hosting, managing, and tracking training programs in an effective manner. An LMS, as we all know, can also be used to generate course-wise and user-wise reports and evaluate the progress of the learner and the efficacy of the course.

However, do you know that your LMS is a treasure-trove of valuable learning data, which when analyzed effectively, can help you develop better training programs? This useful information is stored in the logs of the LMS, and a proper audit of this information enables you to come up with good training programs to meet the needs of your learners effectively. Let us see how.

Determine the level of complexity of the course

Most LMSs have the ability to track the amount of time taken by learners to complete a course, and this information can throw light on the complexity of the course. If most learners complete a course successfully before the stipulated time period, it is an indication that the content delivered to them is of the right level.

For instance, if the majority of learners complete a 60-minute course in 55 minutes, you can consider that your learning content is of the right complexity. On the contrary, if most of your learners are not able to complete the course within the stipulated time period, then it could be a sign that the content is more complex than what your learners can handle.

Identify specific parts of content that create problems or are not required

In many cases, learners may find certain portions of the content difficult to comprehend, and you can identify these portions using the information stored in LMS logs. This can be done by measuring the time spent by the learner on each slide. If a majority of learners spend more time on certain slides, then it could be an indication that they are having problems in understanding the content. You can also infer that the content presented on a slide is difficult if the learner visits the slide multiple times (most companies allow learners to move back and forth in a course), before taking the final examination.

You can also identify whether the content presented on a slide is useful and of value in order to achieve training objectives. One of our clients in the automotive sector has noticed that many learners skip certain slides of its course on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and yet are able to complete the final assessment successfully. The company found that most learners were already fully aware of the information presented on the slides, and hence were skipping the slides. The company promptly removed the “unnecessary” slides from the course.

Get insights into the future performance of learners

This is one of the biggest benefits of analyzing the training data in your LMS logs. Most LMSs today are equipped with features that help you perform predictive analyses of your learners’ future performance. This analysis not only helps you understand how your learners are performing now, but also gives insights into their future performance. For example, the predictive analytical capabilities of your LMS will help you determine whether a learner would pass the final examination, based on the information collected about learner’s responses to questions in formative assessments. Based on this information, you can supplement training by suggesting additional reading or providing one-to-one coaching to help him understand the subject better.

Predictive analytical capabilities also help you pinpoint where your employees are likely to face problems, and this allows you to come up with a new strategy to overcome these training challenges. One of our clients in the pharmaceutical sector found out that employees faced issues interpreting and comprehending information on the prevention of wrongful promotion of drugs in an e-learning course. Consequently, the client altered the instructional strategy and included learning scenarios, which was well-received.

Have a good idea of the devices and media formats your learners prefer

A proper analysis of the data in your LMS logs can also shed light on the learning preferences of your staff, and this information goes a long way in enabling you come up with training programs that are more interesting and learner-oriented. For instance, one of our clients in the insurance sector found out that most of its learners access online courses on their iPads, and the information helped the company create courses for delivering memorable learning experiences on the tablets.

You can also get insights into the learning media formats preferred by your employees, by analyzing the information in LMS logs. One of our clients in the manufacturing sector found out that most of its millennial staff prefers learning games, after analyzing the data in its LMS. This made the company develop game-based online courses for training its young employees.

As you can see, the data in the logs of your LMS goes a long way in imparting better training to your workforce. How do you use the information in your LMS? We’d love to know.