The use of Learning Management Software (LMS) and video conferencing software has got a steep spike during this pandemic.
In order to execute remote meetings, an online conferencing software is usually used. But the online conferencing tools are now being integrated into LMS to make training as well as teaching engaging. The instructor can have real time feedback using both LMS and video conferencing software. Through putting together remote and/or dispersed teams, true necessities of diverse kinds have been served. But we already knew that they were needed to enable organizations to save travel and time.
Now-a-days, corporate houses and educational institutions use these software platforms to show their goods and services to consumers to close selling or purchasing, to manage a training plan with combined or integrated LMS live streaming courses, project team management, follow-up meetings, delivery and distribution, marketing activities, etc.
Here goes the description of a few LMS and Video conferencing tools:
There are a few cloud-based Learning School Management Systems which offer the instructors to teach their courses online. From a bunch of online course platforms, let’s have a look at two popular cloud-based LMSs namely Kajabi and Teachable.
What is Kajabi?
Established more than a decade ago by Kenny Rueter Kajabi, the platform aims to encourage people to develop their businesses online by providing everything they need for a larger community of people to share their knowledge. While Kajabi is specifically intended for entrepreneurs who want to sell knowledge goods, it does provide everything you need to ensure your company is smoothly run, i.e. you can access tons of sales, marketing and distribution features.
Website owners can share all types of content, such as video hosting, audio files and text. You do wonder to speed up the website’s design and look professional – win-win! For all kind of web pages, Kajabi has templates like “video squeeze” pages, sales pages, and even community areas.
What is Teachable?
Teachable is another online LMS or course platform for users to start a school online. It offers several features, which allow you to create and publish content for your students that are attractive and engaging.
It comprises such items as: webinars for queries and the ability to download media files of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether you want to share a video tutorial or include a written guide step by step; however you want your content.
Teachable also provides connectivity through channels. This enables students to use any device like their smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers and so on to connect with your online course. This is useful to improve the accessibility of your content to everyone!
Kajabi vs Teachable: What are the advantages of both software?
We will now provide a broad overview of Kajabi and Teachable platforms; we will explore the smallest details. We will start by discussing the most remarkable benefits of Kajabi and Teachable.
Customer support
You don’t have to remind us that money is time. Therefore it is vital that a solution be sought ASAP in the crisis. Therefore, Kajabi focuses on its customer support (which is definitely not to be said of all its competitors).
For instance, Kajabi continues to run a customer service line 24/7. For an automated device, they don’t pay you. Instead, real people manage the phones and do their best to solve all your problems. Users state that they do everything possible to perform their research and to return with an adequate response if they do not know the answer.
The average wait time for an e-mail answer or for a telephone answer to an inquiry is 10 minutes! It is phenomenal – so rest assured that if you’re a busy businessman, you’re not going to slow down if you tick one million items off your to-do list. Kajabi not only provides video guides on how to make the best use of its features. It’s great to have this resource. You are never going to be left in the dark on how to use Kajabi absolutely!
Now let us go through a few popular video conferencing tools.
Adobe Connect
Because of its personalization options and its simple interface, it is a leading web conference tool. You can personalize and add customized modules to your meeting rooms. Add questions and answers, polling, games and demos to make the meetings more immersive. It has editing and recording capabilities, incorporated storage space, comprehensive data protection and integration with VOIP. The LMS frameworks such as Moodle can be incorporated through an API.
Zoom
The industry leader is also one of the great web conference tools. It supports HD video and audio calls and shared content with up to 1,000 participants. In Outlook, iCal, and Gmail, zoom syncs end-to-end with your calendar. You can use Zoom’s Touch up My Appearance and virtual context functions to make a good impression during video meetings. You can secure and encrypt your password, and Zoom will never lose info. It is even possible to view and restore content also 10 year’s old archives. Possibility of Moodle LMS incorporation for live online training activities. Restricted standard 1GB storage space.
Google Hangouts Meet
The Google Hangouts Meeting can be used to schedule meetings on the fly. The application’s light edition runs on iOS and Android devices without problems. With Google Calendar and Google Docs this robust meeting solution is incorporated. You can use one window to view all Google applications. For participants on the go, the Enterprise Version provides a dial-up option. Every participant gets information related to meetings (such as the agenda) at the invitation, provided that the meeting is integrated with Calendar.
WebRoom
It is a free web conferencing platform that is specialized in holding online training meetings. All we must do is sign up for and build a meeting room for your Google account. Set ‘the connect’ in Google Documents, Slides and Sheets exchanged. You can ‘join us’ by clicking on the connection to start the meeting. It has a workspace feature that allows you to upload and share media files during meetings. And a participant can scroll through separate screens at his own speed through shared contents. LMS plug-ins and virtual whiteboards significantly enhance the delivery of content.
Cloud vs Self-Hosted
Let’s start by looking at two types of LMS before we look at the different pricing models. Will your LMS be self-supporting or cloud-based? Self-hosting requires some costs which have to be taken into account in the expense of a learning platform.
It might sound odd to wonder how much a free LMS costs, but it is pricey. Free LMSs are normally self-hosted and open source. According to Wikipedia, “open source software is software which publishes and makes the source code accessible to the public, allowing everyone to copy, edit and redistribute the code without paying any royalties.” It provides minimal support; hence the internal technical support needs are large.
Cloud Based LMS Pricing Model
Pricing models based on cloud usually include installation costs and monthly, quarterly and annual fees. As hosting is provided by the LMS Company, the use of the program would impact on the costs of the provider. The cost of use is then expressed in the LMS price. If you can’t or choose not to host your LMS, cloud-based LMS is the best option. They are also an excellent choice if:
- You don’t know how many learners you will have
- You know your number of learners will fluctuate
- You want to use an LMS without making a long-term commitment
Conclusion
We’ve analyzed some of the self-hosted and cloud-based LMSs here. We also show how integration of a video conferencing tool into an LMS can make learning engaging within an LMS. Both LMSs and the video conferencing tools have brought about revolution in the domain online training and teaching. The next revolution is going to take place in the field of online training and teaching through the tricky integration of Artificial Intelligence into LMS.
Let us be well-prepared to tap the opportunities created by these revolutionary web and mobile apps in the days to come.
Piran is the bestselling author of the Zobuz, TheHearus and other well known Blogs. Her books have sold hundred of copies and are published in different languages.
