This blog post provides a comprehensive guide for LMS administrators on how to plan and set up an effective LMS course. It covers key steps, from understanding essential features like modules and certificates, to planning learning objectives and assessments. The post emphasises the importance of configuring course settings early, such as course descriptions, time limits, and availability, to create a smooth learner experience.
If you’re new to managing an LMS course, setting up your first one can feel overwhelming. But with the right planning and a clear understanding of your platform's features, the process can be straightforward and even fun. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know before setting up an LMS course, what to prepare ahead of time, and which course settings to consider for the best learner experience.
Before diving into LMS course creation, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the core features of your LMS. Every platform comes with different tools to help you organise content, track learners, and manage courses efficiently. Here are some key features to understand:
Most LMS platforms allow you to organise content into modules. These are essentially the building blocks of your LMS course and help to structure the learning journey.
Modules break down complex material into smaller, digestible parts, similar to chapters in a book. When each module focuses on a specific topic or concept, it provides a clear roadmap for learners, making it easier for them to follow the course logically.
By organising your content into modules, you can improve knowledge retention, as each section builds on the last. To keep learners engaged, mix up your content types within modules—such as text, videos, and quizzes—and ensure each module has clear completion criteria.
You can also enhance learning pathways by setting prerequisites, which require learners to complete certain modules before moving on to the next. This structure not only keeps learners on track but also allows administrators to easily update individual sections without overhauling the entire LMS course.
If your LMS course is time-sensitive (e.g., compliance training), you can set deadlines or limit access after a certain date. Setting time limits and expiration dates for your courses is a powerful tool for ensuring learners complete their training on time, especially for compliance or certification programmes.
Time limits specify how long a learner has to finish the course after enrollment—such as giving new hires 30 days to complete an onboarding course.
Expiration dates, on the other hand, define the exact window during which a course is accessible, such as making a course available only during a specific month.
Certificates in your LMS course provide formal recognition of course completion, making them especially valuable for compliance training or professional development.
You can automatically award certificates to ensure that learners have proof of their achievements, which is essential in industries where regulatory compliance is required.
Certificates can also serve as motivation for learners to complete courses, especially when tied to career advancement or required training.
LMS course creation is smoother when you have a solid plan in place. Here’s what you should prepare:
Before you create any content, it’s crucial to ask yourself: What do I want learners to achieve by the end of this LMS course? Having clear learning objectives will not only help you structure your content but also make it easier to create assessments that measure learners’ progress.
Plan how to divide your content into modules. This could be done based on topics, weeks, or learning goals. Each section should build on the last to guide learners through the material logically.
For example, if you're building an onboarding LMS course, one module might cover "Company Policies" while another covers "Key Software Tools." Organising your content this way makes it easier for learners to navigate.
Decide how you will evaluate learners' progress. LMS platforms offer a variety of assessment tools, from quizzes and tests to assignments and projects. You might want to include a quiz after each module or a final exam at the end of the course.
Assessments are a great way to ensure that learners are absorbing the material and mastering the skills you're teaching.
Some settings are critical to define before adding content to your LMS course. These settings control how learners interact with the course and when it's available.
Give your course a clear, descriptive name and write a brief overview of what learners can expect. This is often the first thing learners will see, so make it engaging and informative.
A well-written description helps learners understand the value of the course, what they’ll learn, and how it fits into their goals. Here are some tips for crafting an effective LMS course description:
When setting up your LMS course, deciding on its availability and visibility is an important aspect of managing how and when learners access the material. These settings determine who can see the course and when they can begin taking it.
Here are some tips to help you make the right choices:
Time limits and expiration dates allow you to control when and how long learners can access your course, which is especially useful for compliance training, limited-time programmes, or event-based content.
Setting these options strategically ensures that learners complete their courses on time, while also helping you manage the availability of sensitive or time-sensitive materials.
Here are some key tips for setting time limits and expiration dates effectively:
Providing certificates to learners upon course completion is a great way to recognize their achievements and ensure compliance for mandatory training. When configuring certificates in your LMS, set clear criteria that learners must meet to earn them. For example:
Getting your LMS course settings right from the very beginning sets the stage for a smoother, more engaging experience for both learners and administrators.
Think of it as building a strong foundation—by carefully configuring things like completion criteria, time limits, and interactive elements, you're ensuring that learners can follow a clear path through the material. This keeps them focused and motivated, helping them absorb the content in a logical way.
For administrators, correct settings mean better control and insight. You’ll be able to track learner progress, analyse performance, and generate reports that show which areas learners are engaging with the most. By setting things up thoughtfully, you’ll save yourself the headache of manual adjustments later and ensure that both learners and admins can navigate the course with ease.
With these foundations in place, you’re ready to move on to content creation, confident that your course will deliver an efficient and seamless learning experience.
Once your LMS course basics are in place, you can begin to focus on adding content and adjusting more specific settings. Some settings might be more useful during or after content creation.
This involves setting up how learners will complete each piece of content, such as by passing quizzes, submitting assignments, or spending a required amount of time on the material.
Additionally, incorporating diverse content—like videos, PDFs, and assessments—will keep learners engaged and ensure they meet your course's objectives. If your course is part of a larger training programme, you can also consider setting up prerequisites. This ensures learners complete courses in a specific order, which can be especially important if the material builds upon previous lessons.
Creating a LMS course doesn’t have to be complicated. By planning ahead, understanding your platform’s features, and setting up your course settings strategically, you’ll set both yourself and your learners up for success. With this guide, you’re ready to create impactful, organised, and efficient courses that will help your learners thrive.
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