Your organization provides certification training for members. This is one of your most popular products and the highest revenue generator. However, the certification exam is being completely updated, and you need your training updated within the next six months so your members can be trained for their re-certification.
To simplify things, you’ve also been tasked with evaluating a new Learning management system (LMS). You’ll need apparent features, such as interactivity, images, text blocks, downloadable resources, learner reporting,g and tracking, but what features will you need that you haven’t even thought about? How can an LMS help you quickly ramp up an entire learner population?
LMSs consist of many similar features. Single sign-on integration, e-commerce purchasing, course creation tools, and reporting are the most common. However, there are a few features to consider that tend to get overlooked. One of those features is support for blended learning. With blended learning, your instructors can use webinar integrations to deliver live training to hundreds of learners synchronously. In contrast, the LMS provides the module recording so others can complete the training independently. In this blog, we’ll look at how blended learning was used in a 2020 Brandon Hall Gold Award-winning course for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).
Like many associations, the APMA holds an annual conference to provide its members with workshops and training. In 2020, however, the APMA was unable to conduct its annual conference in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They needed a solution that would allow them to reach their members in their homes and other safer locations. As a result, they decided to deliver the entire annual conference through their Learning Management System (LMS). They required a platform that would integrate seamlessly with a webinar tool, enabling them to schedule and host live webinars while also incorporating other eLearning features such as assessments, discussions, and more. To create this blended learning experience, they chose Knowledge Direct.
Not just another webinar
Associations such as APMA have been using conference hosting services for many years. However, in 2020, APMA had a unique problem that required them to deliver an entire conference online. They found this solution by using an LMS. Working with Digitec (now Apti), APMA was able to host their conference and create supplemental material all in one place. Knowledge Direct became their one-stop shop for content, webinar hosting, and more. APMA also utilized a simple Single Sign-On feature within Knowledge Direct to provide ease of access to its members attending the virtual conference. Using an SSO in Knowledge Direct, APMA could easily track the number of members attending the virtual conference. APMA also included tracking features on who participated in the various content within the virtual conference through Knowledge Direct.
APMA utilized various features within Knowledge Direct, including the web conferencing feature, a platform for live sessions, open discussion, and assessments created within Knowledge Direct. They even included an area for sponsors in the Virtual Sponsor Lobby. Here, sponsors could creatively supply the information needed to the conference attendees. With the help of Digitec (now Apti), APMA used gamification to motivate its members to visit the various sponsors. They would even get a completion badge based on the number of sponsors they visited.
Keeping everything in one place and using the unique features offered by Knowledge Direct, APMA was able to set up the virtual conference quickly and provide ease of access to their members during a difficult time. Many members who attended the virtual conference praised its easy access. They liked not switching tabs or screens for each webinar or activity. Many said that they looked forward to more virtual conferences in the future. APMA has continued to host its virtual conference for the past three years using Knowledge Direct.
Takeaway
Webinars can help you develop training quickly, but using the blended learning features of an LMS makes training more accessible to a broader audience. Interested in learning more about Knowledge Direct? Book a demo today!