Is the LMS Dead?

WebJunction executives recognized the need for a platform that integrated the features of social community sites and virtual meeting spaces with content and learning capabilities. The initiative required a system that would provide a community experience, including features that would allow for group spaces and a way for individuals to add content to the site. The solution also had to integrate with OCLC’s e-commerce solution for payment processing, as well as with WebJunction’s own social functionality and content management tools built using Liferay, an open-source enterprise portal solution. Ultimately, WebJunction chose Plateau Systems to be its LMS provider.

Since the launch of the new social learning community, WebJunction executives have found that the LMS has allowed them to respond to industry changes and to the breadth of content necessary for meeting the diverse requirements of public and academic libraries as well as state agencies; K-12, law, medical and corporate libraries; and international users. The system allows individual courses to be purchased or libraries to purchase bulk courses through the WebJunction catalog.

“Some customers open their catalog to all members; some have strict controls on who may enroll in their courses,” Lewis said. “But while our partners can set access permissions the way they want, it’s all still being managed by the LMS — and there’s a global catalog.”

Winning Buy-In
In one year, nearly 7,000 individuals have enrolled in WebJunction courses, and there are now more than 600 titles, which are mapped to library-specific competencies within the globalized catalog.

Lewis said the biggest advantage is that the entire process is seamless.

“The interface is always WebJunction. Members just click on courses or competencies and connect to the learning content,” she said.

Further, once a member clicks on “My WebJunction,” he or she can see updates on friends’ activities and on relevant content. And by clicking on “My Account,” the member can view all his or her courses, comments, activities and affiliations.