Learning Management System Vs Learning Content Management System

Learning Management System and Learning Content Management System – sounds similar; but do you know the difference between both? A lot of companies are now beginning to understand the significance of a Learning Management System, and are educating and training their employees to keep them up-to-date and organized. It is very important to know the difference between LMS and LCMS.

A Learning Management System includes learning management, monitoring, administration, reporting, security and content management. Your content authoring and publishing abilities, aptitude and performance management, and maintaining integrity with your organization’s ecommerce and financial systems depends entirely on the LMS you have chosen. Simply put an LMS majorly focuses on the distribution of, education, training and compiling data. The format, platform and administration of training are decided by the LMS administrator. An LMS can also monitor, gather and analyze each student’s progress.  

On the contrary the Learning Content Management System’s function is to create, manage and maintain learning content.  Since a lot of LMS’ do not support Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, you need a course creation to integrate stuff easily. Content includes video, written pieces, audio and graphics, making your course entirely customizable. A majority of LCMS’ are very user friendly. The content creator creates an outline, in which you can add content sections for making a media-rich presentation. You can organize and adjust the content and then add quizzes, tests and review sections. The customizable content creation tool enables every instructor to add their own style to their courses.

LCMS can be used in combination with an LMS as well as a separate application for quick development and distribution of learning material.  Vendors usually refer to both, LMS and LCMS as a lot of programs include both. It is very important to know your requirements, what your are purchasing, and whether you are asking the right questions. If you want both content creation as well as content management, make sure you buy LCMS, or else you could end up paying more for courses which may not fit your requirements.    

In simple words LMS is learner centric, and LCMS is content centric. Learning Management Systems focus on e-learning management and content delivery, whereas an LCMS focuses on the creation and authoring of e-learning content. Each course is created by LCMS but delivered by LMS.