A Learning Management System (LMS) might be just the tool your organization needs to deliver your education or program content—or maybe not. Investing in an LMS is a big decision that requires ongoing resources to successfully implement and maintain. There are some key questions to ask before acquiring an LMS and best practices to follow when moving ahead with purchasing, implementing and administering an LMS. Get the inside scoop from non-profit colleagues and non-profit learning consultants who will share their tips for success, pitfalls to avoid, and demo how they’re using this online learning technology. What you’ll get from attending: • Clarity on what an LMS is (and isn’t) and what it can (and can’t) do • An eLearning terminology cheat sheet (re: the basic nuts and bolts of online learning delivery) • An overview of some of the most common LMS options for small to medium non-profits • Top LMS mistakes to avoid and tips for success • LMS use case stories from a panel of 3 small to medium non-profits (why they invested in an LMS, and how they’re using it). • Steps your organization can take right now (or later) to determine if an LMS is right for you. ABOUT LEAH CHANG @mmeleahchang linkedin.com/in/mmeleahchang/ leahchang.ca Leah has 16+ years of combined experience in education working with non-profits, private companies and public authorities to develop online and classroom learning. She specializes in Learning Management System matching, configuration and workflow, systems learning and instructional design. She loves learning about new systems and tools that might shape the future of work or help non-profits streamline their operations. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Arts Council of New Westminster, and worked with Pain BC Society as a communications and education consultant and Education Lead.

1. When is a LMS
Right for Non
Profits?
And when is it not ?

2. GOALS
1. What’s an LMS?
2. Do we need one?
3. Are we ready for one?
(If yes, what’s the next step?)

3. LMS
EXPERTS
Leah Chang
leahchang.ca
mmeleahchang@gmail.com
Erin Melvin
lambdasolutions.net
erin.melvin@lambdasolutions.net

4. MY 1st LMS
39.5 ft pole

5. LMS HUH?
?

6. YOUR TURN
Image source: newmediapeople.ba

7. eLEARNING
JARGON
eLearning 1 Asynchronous
2 Virtual/online
5 Web-based training (WBT)
6 Self-directed
11 Cohort/time-based
Instructor-led
training (ILT)
3 Classroom/in-person training
11 Cohort/time-based
Blended learning 4 Mix of eLearning &
classroom training
Learning
asset/object
7 Rich media file (video, PDF,
quiz, webinar recording, etc.)
that can be part of a course.

8. eLEARNING
JARGON
Course authoring
tool
8 , 9 Storyline/Captivate
Sharable Content
Object Reference
Model (SCORM)
10 Typical file format of a
standalone eLearning courses,
shareable on most LMSs

9. Source: Jodi Sansone, eLearning
Heroes (Articulate Storyline
Community)
Source: Dominic Michael, Adobe
Captivate & Presenter Examples

10. WHY DO
NON-
PROFITS
USE AN
LMS?
– Increase accessibility
– Low-barrier delivery of
educational content
– Translate knowledge
– Professional
development &
training
– Profit neutrality
Image source: brightwebs.ca/ux-design-accessibility
:

11. Internal
External
WHO IS AN
LMS FOR? Employees
Volunteers
Board of directors
Partner organizations
General public
Constituents
Clients

12. LMS
OPTIONS
1. Out-of-the-box
2. Open source
3. Shared

13. LOCAL
EXAMPLES

14. WHAT
CAN
AN LMS DO?
1. Host Content
– SCORM
– Learning objects / packaged courses
– Question banks
2. Track & manage data
– Course assignments, registrations,
completions
– User/group profiles, competencies

15. WHAT
CAN
AN LMS DO?
LMS = Utilitarian tool that is part
of a larger system

16. WHAT
CAN’T
AN LMS DO?
1. Replace your website
2. Administer itself
3. Create content*
not a ...It’s a power tool

17. Common LMS
Mistakes
And how to avoid them

18. COMMON
MISTAKES
Image source: amazon.com/Complete-
Puppy-Care-Amy-Shojai
1. Under allocating resources
2. Underestimating work
3. Unavailability during
configuration or data
migration
4. Missed training opportunities
5. Lack of ongoing maintenance
plan or resources
Be good to your LMS.
Don’t “get it and forget it”.

19. COMMON
MISTAKES
Image source: amazon.ca/Wenger-
16999-Swiss-Knife-Giant
1. Choosing an overly robust
LMS
2. Underutilizing functions
3. Paying for LMS subscription
before course content is
finalized
4. Not integrating the LMS with
your CRM and other
automated workflows
Size your LMS project appropriately.

20. COMMON
MISTAKES
Image source: failblog.cheezburger.com
1. Lack of expertise in-house
2. Not working with a consultant
when necessary
3. Project management gaps
4. Lack of strategy or planning
5. Misunderstanding what an
LMS can/can’t do
6. Missing requirements
7. No project scope or timelines—
implementation drags on and
on
Work with a pro; you’ll save
time and get a better outcome.

21. COMMON
MISTAKES
1. Missed branding &
communications
opportunity
2. No LMS launch plan
3. No course promotions
4. Inconsistent branding or
communications
Image source: netvantagemarketing.com
Leverage your marketing &
communications teams. Promote.

22. COMMON
MISTAKES
1. Lack of data management &
governance
2. Poor organizational
continuity
3. Infrequent or inconsistent
use
4. Ineffective or unsustainable
work practices
Manage your data sustainably.
Clean data is sexy.

23. LMS Myth Busters
Well, sort of…

24. MYTH
BUSTER 1 Image source: LearnUpon.com/blog
You don’t have to use SCORM.
Alternative:
• Combined learning objects can create a course

25. MYTH
BUSTER 2
Image source: Maastricht University Online Library
There are 1,000s of LMSs but they all do
the same basic things.

26. MYTH
BUSTER 3
Image source: Sam Saltis, CEO,
CoreDNA.com/blog
Open source
MIGHT be a
horrible idea…

27. CASE
STORY:
2 NON-
PROFITS
Learning/education mandate
Similarly sized organization, staff, funding, etc.
Learning objects developed and ready to deliver
Learning content = general public Learning content = targeted audience
Host learning objects on their website:
• YouTube
• Webinars (live & recorded)
• PDF downloads
Courses consist of/provide:
• Variety of learning objects SCORM
• Registration for online, blended
and classroom learning
• Certification/accreditation for
course completion
• Analytics facilitate reporting to
funders
NO LMS YES LMS
Does my organization really need an LMS?

28. HOW
READY IS
YOUR ORG?
Image source: newmediapeople.ba

29. TYPICAL
DEAL
BREAKERS
– Canadian data storage
requirements
– Privacy policy (PIPEDA, CASL,
updated BC Societies Act)
– Cost-benefit: # of potential
users

30. 7
TAKEAWAYS
FOR
SUCCESS
1. Designate key admin resources
2. Get to know all your LMS functions
3. Set aside time to build, test, and maintain
(leverage stakeholders, employees, users)
4. Outsource when needed: Hire a pro
5. Document as you go: Create templates for
workflows to use for internal training
6. Use APIs for automation wherever feasible
7. Follow a project management framework

31. NON-
PROFIT LMS
“MUSTS"
1. The Administrator Experience
(“AX”) is just as important as User
Experience *(UX/UI)
2. Choose a vendor with quality
support & training
3. Configure your LMS with your
CRM & other web tools in mind

32. GRANTS
– WorkBC grant for training of use of
software – up to $10k/person
– Arts BC Digistarts Program
https://artsbc.org/
– Others?

33. 4 STEP
VETTING
PROCESS
Info
Gathering &
Needs
Analysis
• Interview
stakeholders,
administrators,
instructors,
users
• Create
user/learner
personas
• Gather & script
use cases
Requirements
Matrix
• Confirm IT
requirements
• Create
comparison
chart
• Begin
researching
vendors
Vendor
Demos
• Longlist - sales
contacts, attend
group demos
• Shortlist -
schedule live
demos
• Interview other
NGOs
Proposal
• Confirm exact
costs: Year 1, Year
2+
• Write
Organization
Case or grants
• List

34. RESOURCES
• Discuss articles or use cases to start
your team off with best practices
• Rely on project management
resources for configuration &
implementation stages
• Take full advantage of vendor-
provided training
• Become BFFs with your customer
representative Image source: amazon.ca/LMS-
Success-Step-Step-Administration

35. HELP IS
OUT THERE!
• Ensure & measure LMS project success
• Create templates for internal workflow or SOPs
• Devise strategy for online course delivery
• Advise or broker LMS partnerships
• Use functionality creatively & build workarounds
• Assist & guide regular internal audits
• Troubleshoot tricky problems efficiently
• Collaborate on marketing campaigns, launch plans

36. Erin K Melvin

37. GOALS
1. What’s an LMS?
2. Do we need one?
3. Are we ready for one?
(If yes, what’s the next step?)

38. JOURNEY:
HOW I GOT
HERE
– The Beginning: ESL Instructor
– The Journey: Non-Profit Education Coordinator,
Moodle Administrator and Course Creator
– Here: Director of Client Engagement, LMS
Implementation & Product Engagement for Moodle,
Totara, Zoola

39. 7 THINGS
I’VE
LEARNED
1. Know why you are doing this
2. Take stock of your resources
3. Know your Audience, Create an Experience
4. Map the Learner’s Journey
5. Look at the Big Picture, Work in Small Chunks
6. Reporting: Who needs to know what?
7. Really want to do this

40. QUESTIONS – Questions?

41. DEMO – Moodle 3.6

89. QUESTIONS?
CONNECT
WITH US
Leah Chang
leahchang.ca
mmeleahchang@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/mmeleahchang/
Erin Melvin
lambdasolutions.net
erin.melvin@lambdasolutions.net
linkedin.com/in/erinkmelvin/