Even though it’s widely known among the majority of companies and organizations that learning management systems are the way forward, many have a concern. They worry that implementing a pricey piece of technology for training will only end up benefitting certain employees. Moreover, they worry that the cost-effectiveness of an LMS will be reduced due to having to cater to certain employees who cannot or are not benefitting from the LMS.

There’s a common misconception that only younger, more tech-literate employees will get any use out of a learning management system. Additionally, many leaders worry that employees who do not speak English as their first language may struggle to understand training via an LMS. But, if you have chosen the right learning management system for your company, it won’t just benefit younger, more tech-savvy, or fluent English-speaking… it will benefit everyone.

How the Right LMS Can Help All Employees

How a Good LMS Helps All Employees

Technology is here to stay, and, as time goes on it will only gain prominence. Technology impacts our lives in so many ways, and it has become part of our everyday routine. The same applies to training solutions, as they are now at least partially, if not entirely, technology-based. If you do not train all of your employees equally, you are doing them and your company a disservice. After all, you can’t employees to adequately perform their job if they didn’t receive the proper training.

Helping Less Tech-Literate Employees

The process of teaching someone who doesn’t understand technology how to interact with software solutions can seem overwhelming. You may have seen someone struggling to grasp technology get very frustrated, and this can be very off-putting. It should be relatively straightforward if you take the right approach, and once they see the benefits of technology, they’ll likely want to learn more.

Before doing anything, you should always make sure that you select an LMS that has a user-friendly interface. This is particularly critical when catering to employees who you fear may struggle with using technology. If an LMS is confusing, employees might not be able to adapt to it. Employees who find technology difficult to comprehend may never be able to cope with a user interface that’s overly complex. On a similar note, you should stay away from LMS solutions that try to lure you in with an excessive number of features. Even if it looks impressive, it’s only making the LMS more complicated to use for employees. In many cases, a simple system is a much better option than one with all the bells and whistles.

Choosing a learning management system that is available on multiple platforms is important as well. Depending on the employee, some devices may feel much more comfortable and usable than others. You don’t want an LMS that only works on a mobile device if you have workers who are better off using computers. The opportunity to select the learning device that suits a user’s individual needs is likely to be appreciated by employees who experience difficulty with technology.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to invite employees who are highly proficient in technology to assist employees who feel less secure and confident. You can always have your tech-savvy employees on hand to assist your less technical employees with how to use the LMS properly.

Helping Multilingual Employees

Often major companies based in the United States, or in numerous other countries worldwide for that matter, require their employees to speak and learn English. Many leaders think that this may be problematic when it comes to learning, as a language barrier can prevent employees from accessing the same training as everyone else. But if you have done your due diligence in selecting the right learning management system, you shouldn’t have a problem. A wisely selected LMS will be multilingual to allow all employees equal access to training and materials. A good learning management system that’s set up to cater to all employees, including those who are multilingual, should provide the following:

Clarity – It’s very common for things to get lost during translation, especially when an employee is fluent in English. A multilingual LMS will enable employees to select their training language. Some employees, even if they speak English well, may not know every phrase and word necessary for a thorough understanding of training. In training, jargon specific to the industry is often used, and this can be very difficult for even a native speaker to fully comprehend. If training can be provided on an LMS in multiple different languages, you can ensure your employees can train in the language that they will understand the most clearly.

Engagement – When a learning management system is only available in English, nonnative English speakers may appear disinterested or unengaged. They may not be fully aware of the learning management system and may not feel motivated to use it because they don’t understand it completely. Furthermore, they may feel too embarrassed to reach out to others and ask for help with clarity or understanding of materials. Multilingual Learning Management Systems enable employees to learn on their own time and at their own pace without needing assistance. They will be encouraged to participate more in training as well as gain confidence with the material.
Communication – It may appear that accessing a multilingual Learning Management System will hinder employees’ proficiency in English, but it can actually help them improve it. Multilingual individuals might benefit from having access to training in their native tongue and then comparing it with the English version. By improving their vocabulary and proficiency in the language, they can grow more fluent and confident speaking and understanding English.

At the end of the day, you’ve spent money and effort setting up an LMS, and you need it to work for all employees. It can seriously reduce the long-term cost-effectiveness of a learning management system if you have to cater to particular groups of employees separately. But the good news is that the right LMS will benefit all employees, allowing your entire workforce to access the same beneficial training and materials.