Leveraging AI In Learning Management Systems

The latest tech ed trends prove that it is absolutely possible to provide high-quality education almost anywhere in the world. All you need is a stable internet connection and a desire to learn or to teach. While online classes have already existed for decades, their deep enhancement with artificial intelligence can become a game-changer.

The AI-powered software has the potential to drastically improve the quality of education, especially when we meet the lack of expertise or funding to provide a decent experience for all students. This can have a long-lasting effect on educational institutions and businesses that wish to streamline the onboarding and upskilling of their remote employees.

We all have already heard about the development of Learning Management Systems that are used in many institutions: from courses and webinars to universities and schools. But how much do we know about the AI-powered LMS solutions? Let’s discuss the history, and capabilities of these applications and how they open access to education for everybody.

What Is LMS and How Does It Work?

To understand LMS, we need first to determine such terms as EdTech and eLearning.

The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) has defined educational technology (EdTech) as "the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources". At the same time, E-learning can be considered as a learning environment that uses information and communication technologies as a platform for teaching and learning activities.

So, let’s move to Learning Managing System, as a software that represents eLearning and EdTech the most. LMS is a computer (mostly web) software that is designed to manage education processes, workflow, performance, and so on. Most of the currently developed LMSs are multi-user and provide access for the students, teachers, administrators, and other needed types of users or education processes.

The web-based learning management system can be developed using almost any programming language (Javascript, Python, Ruby, etc,) and frameworks (Node, React, Vue, Django, FastAPI, etc.). At the same time, it can be also connected with mobile-based LMS that can be designed using cross-platform React Native/Flutter frameworks or native Swift/Kotlin programming languages. Basically, the LMS can be programmed in many different ways and approaches.

One of the main functions and benefits of LMS is to cut costs and efforts while managing the study process. Almost any LMS solution has the following set of features:

• Multi-user management. Usually, there is a possibility for different types of users (student, teacher, admin, developer, etc.) to have their own UI, set of functions, and access to the different levels of the application.
• Creating and managing study cases. Almost every LMS has the option to CRUD lessons, courses, or any other study case.
• Uploading study content. The users usually can upload learning materials, create control assignments, and work on lessons in the LMS.
• Onboarding students. The LMS provides a possibility for teachers or admins to onboard students with different interactive assignments and tasks.
• Tracking progress. The LMS in many cases provides detailed statistics on the academic success of each individual registered in the system.
• Updating study cases. Once a group of students finishes the course or lesson, the LMS makes it possible to tweak its content based on how fast and well learners engage with the current version of the materials.

These are only some basic examples of the functions and features of the LMS. For sure, it can be designed with a huge amount of possible actions, payment systems, integrations with third-party APIs, and so on.

Types of Learning Management Systems

Learning Management Systems (LMS) can vary in their types and configurations, as each of them is designed to serve completely different educational purposes. Let’s have a look at some of them.

- Open-source LMS is freely available and customizable, making it a cost-effective choice for organizations with specific needs. The great examples of these LMSs are Moodle and Open edX.‍

- Cloud-based LMS is hosted on a specific remote server, providing easy access and scalability without the need for a special on-premises installation. Well-known LMSs in this area are Canvas and Blackboard Learn.

- Corporate LMS is developed for corporate business training and employees’ education, these systems offer features like compliance training, employee onboarding, and skills development. Cornerstone OnDemand and SAP Litmos are the most famous examples of such LMSs.

- Academic LMSs are created for educational institutions, including different kinds of schools, academies, and universities. Such systems often support features like course management, grade books, and student engagement. The famous LMSs of this type are Canvas for K-12 and Blackboard Learn for higher education.

We may talk a lot about many other types of learning management systems but let’s focus on the most interesting for us for now - Adaptive Learning LMS.

Adaptive learning LMS uses AI-powered custom algorithms to personalize learning plans for individual learners, helping them manage the content at their own pace. The choice of adaptive AI LMS type depends on the specific requirements and goals of the organization or educational institution. It's essential to evaluate the features, scalability, and pricing of different LMS options to determine which one best suits your needs. While basic AI LMSs were initially designed for higher education institutions, nowadays, they have expanded into many other areas. Let’s have a look at some examples.

Corporate training and development

AI learning management systems are used to onboard new employees and upskill existing ones. These products also help with compliance training, sales, and product education.

Government and public sector

AI-powered LMS offers online courses that teach the public about health and safety, for example, how to deal with a fire or an emergency.

Manufacturing and industry

Businesses involved in manufacturing use LMSs with AI-driven codes to conduct safety and skill training for their employees. This way, they are more likely to follow safety guidelines and acquaint themselves with new types of machinery.

E-Learning and Online courses

Anybody can use an AI-based LMS to run a private learning experience for people interested in education on different topics worldwide.

Retail

Companies working in retail may set up courses in product knowledge, compliance training, and customer service for their employees.

How Artificial Intelligence Influences LMSs

Considering the functions of learning management systems, we may imagine how these platforms can be significantly improved with the power of artificial intelligence. But let’s not leave room for interpretation. Look at the benefits that make AI-infused programs a perfect fit for online education goals.

Benefits For Educators

The integration of Artificial Intelligence and AGI into education-oriented software is a significant benefit to the whole education process. We have determined some of the most important benefits that AI brings to educators.

Automated Grading

Almost any AI-powered LMS reduces time on grading students. They get impartial results of tests and assignments, making it easier to track progress and provide timely feedback. You just need to provide the LMS with the grading criteria data, and the rest will be done by integrated AI models.

Inclusive Education

AI makes education more convenient for different categories of people. Students with disabilities may listen to the study content and answer quizzes with their voice. The power of AI also helps people with learning disorders learn at their own pace.

Deep Analytics

AI LLMs collect and process massive amounts of student data. They pick up information on scores, issues, study challenges, and overall progress. This data is invaluable to organizations using the LMSs, as AI picks up insights unseen to the human eye. The technology also helps educators identify potential opportunities and risks in each learner.

Moreover, AI-based learning management systems let instructors and learners make more informed decisions. They collect and analyze data from feedback, behavior patterns, and performance. This information is presented in detailed reports that show patterns, trends, and gaps in the learning process.

Content Generation

One of the perks of integrating AI into a learning management system is the endless opportunity for content creation. You are able to create absolutely custom educational materials based on the skill sets and learning preferences of different individuals. With the power of AI, it's also possible to generate text, image, audio, and video content.

The generative AI helps teachers to save time in tailoring unique course materials for students. AI models can also provide personalized recommendations based on a person’s strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and gaps in education.

Real-time assistance

Tutors and educators aren’t always available when students need assistance due to the differences in time zones. AI software isn’t confined by the limitations of time and space, allowing students to interact with its interface whenever necessary without feeling awkward or insecure about asking for help. LMS solutions imbued with the power of AI help learners with quick and accurate answers thanks to the power of natural language processing and sentiment analysis. This streamlines the education process as there’s no need to spend hours searching for answers online.

Benefits For Businesses

While content creation, deep analysis, and other mentioned above benefits may also influence business employees, there are several unique features an AI-powered LMS brings to the table for organizations and their employees.

Education with and without AI

Predictive Analysis

Artificial intelligence helps employers better identify employees who are at risk of falling behind or abandoning training altogether. This way, HR representatives can quickly intervene and support these individuals by adjusting their learning schedule.

Automated monitoring and reports

Companies use AI-based LMSs to automatically track and receive reports on the learning progress of their workers. Later, managers can adjust educational programs based on these findings, leading to more positive results.

This way, you track how efficient your employees are in handling their training and enroll them in various upskilling programs and courses. Having an AI-enhanced LMS will help your business stay competitive and successfully challenge companies who still rely on old ways of training employees.

Compliance and certification tracking

Systems enhanced with the power of AI help companies ensure that all staff members work under the latest compliance and industry regulations. It’s possible to use these software products to maintain a record of certifications and automatically notify employees when their documents have to be updated.

HR Software Integration

AI-powered LMS products can be integrated with other HR software for more streamlined onboarding and offboarding procedures. They also ensure that employees have around-the-clock access to training content.

Personalized Learning

Using an AI-based learning management system lets institutions and organizations provide individuals with personalized learning experiences. AI algorithms used in these solutions remember the previous interactions and adjust training programs based on one’s goals and preferences.

AI solutions are equipped with natural language processing (NLP) capabilities that make it possible to chat with the LMS in a human-like manner. They pick up on sentiment and user attitude, leading to more nuanced responses. This reduces learning time and encourages student engagement.

AI Agents for LMSs

Educational AI Agents has already become popular among many schools, universities, and other educational institutions. Such agents can significantly boost both students' and teachers' productivity by providing full-cycle automation of their workflows. AI agents as a part of Learning Management Systems are revolutionizing the way educational content is delivered, managed, and consumed. This kind of AI-based software can seamlessly integrate with LMS platforms to provide personalized learning paths, automate administrative tasks, and offer real-time insights into student performance.

Actually, AI Agents are the new trend of education. By using AI agents, LMS systems can adapt course content to each student's learning style and pace, ensuring a more personalized and efficient learning experience. They can automate grading, manage assignments, and provide immediate feedback, making the learning process smoother for both educators and students.

Finally, LMS-integrated AI agents can act as AI Tutors or AI Mentors, guiding students through their coursework, answering questions 24/7, and suggesting additional resources when needed. They can also assist educators by analyzing student data, identifying areas where students are struggling. The integration of AI agents into LMS platforms not only boosts the learning experience but also makes it more scalable, efficient, and adaptive to the diverse needs of modern education systems.

To sum up, AI-powered LMSs without any doubt can open new horizons for all organizations that are interested in educating people and improving study workflow. If this is something you’re interested in, we’re ready to help you determine how to bring the power of AI to your business and improve its processes.