Whether you need to provide training about company procedures or give your employees a lesson in the latest technology, investing in elearning management will make your job easier.

Elearning management systems provide online classes and materials as well as a way to track employee progress. When choosing an elearning management provider, consider a variety of factors.

1. Your own elearning management needs depend on your company size and planned trainings. Will you need to customize elearning classes for your specific business, or are you looking for standard ethics or safety lessons in your field? Do you need to collect registration fees and track enrollment, or will you simply implement online classes every once in a while?

2. An elearning management business will design and manage your e-classes and online materials, often for a monthly or per-project fee. Choose an elearning class management system that customizes solutions for your company and ensures that its classes and management systems are compatible with your existing software and networks.

3. Another option is to buy or download elearning management system software. The best software allows you to design your own elearning classes, score employee progress, and keep track of course registration and completion.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose elearning management systems that are interactive and engaging

Employees learn better if elearning programs provide interesting graphics or allow them to communicate with workmates. View the elearning management demo featured on the websites of elearning management providers. Look for elearning and management that provides interactive capabilities and are compatible with audio, video, and visual programs.

I recommend: Knowledge Management Interactive has provided Web-based instruction, using video and graphics, on topics such as disaster preparation and workplace ethics. Mindflash allows users to create elearning course content using Word, PowerPoint, Flash, PDF, audio, and video. Mindflash also offers bulletin boards so that users can help each other learn, private and pubic chat sessions about course material, and a digital library for supplemental information.

Try an elearning management systems program for free

Before you commit to an elearning management provider, download a trial or free version of elearning management system software. Some elearning management sites have free downloads. Freeware will give you ideas on what you want for your own elearning management program when it comes time to buy one.

I recommend: CNET's Download.com offers a wide variety of trial elearning management system software. The site includes user and editor reviews. Moodle is a free, open-source course management system that allows educators to design online courses, workshops, tests, quizzes, and discussions.

Ensure that your management elearning system is accessible to people with disabilities

Employees with disabilities should be able to use your elearning programs. Some elearning management systems are already compatible with disability-friendly elearning software. Other times you may need to purchase additional tools to help people with disabilities use elearning programs.

I recommend: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers guidelines for ensuring that elearning programs comply with standards for disabled users. Freedom Scientific offers a product called Jaws, which is screen-reading software for the visually impaired.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  How you implement your elearning management system is as important as which elearning management provider you choose. Before launch, managers should review the elearning program and promote it to employees. After an elearning class cycle finishes, managers should consult with employees to evaluate the program's effectiveness.