What’s the difference between a Learning Management System (LMS) and a Learning Content Management System (LCMS)?
Are Learning Management Systems and Learning Content Management Systems the same? What is the difference?
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application or web-based technology for managing the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of training programs, continuing education, professional development, credentialing, online events, and eLearning programs.
A Learning Management System (LMS) provides organizations with a centralized and consolidated method for the delivery of online training programs. Built-in assessment and reporting tools allow for automated certificate generation.
Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS)
A Learning Content Management System (LCMS) typically provides a multi-user environment where administrators, instructors, and content managers can create, store, reuse, and manage learning objects from a central object repository.
A learning object can be thought of as a small, self-contained re-usable unit of content that can be used to support learning. Some examples of learning objects include Microsoft® Word or PowerPoint files, PDF files, video, and audio.
A Learning Content Management System (LCMS) enables an organization to share learning objects across the enterprise, which saves money, promotes consistent learning, and helps to amortize the cost of eLearning.