by Rich Finstein | Sep 25, 2017 | Blog
It has been almost a year since CommPartners and Higher Logic began formally collaborating with the premise that learning in its many forms is a natural extension of community engagement. This concept is not new for most of us. I remember many conversations that took place at ASAE Annual Conferences and other meetings over the years about the virtues of social learning. Everyone agreed that the notion of peer to peer, sharing of ideas should accompany and be integrated with knowledge shared by experts. After all, when we think of the best learning experiences, it’s typically a conference with our community peers. We value the sessions but a significant part of our reason for attending is the knowledge we receive from colleagues. So why is online learning experiences so segmented?
While in theory this sounded like a wise idea, the execution of social learning was slow to take hold. There are likely many reasons for this, but the lack of an online platform that truly enabled Web based social experiences was not helping to forge the way.
Last year, Higher Logic and CommPartners’ teams got together to identify how we could make community driven learning a reality. We had certain ideas and it took quite an investment of time to identify how this could work. Our first success was the creation of Higher Logic’s Online Academy courses. This training enables participants to sign up and participate in a self-paced training program (powered through our learning management system, Elevate LMS) within the community. Completion of courses is reported to Higher Logic’s activities area, giving the community member and the host organization, in this case Higher Logic, a more holistic report of engagement that was taking place.
After this initial success, our efforts turned towards helping associations realize the benefits of bridging their Learning Management System and community to offer their stakeholders an integrated experience. As the discussions evolved, one question became clear; why are we asking our participants to navigate to two separate and distinct areas of a website when both areas provide opportunities for learning? Shouldn’t the synergy between these two components be together? So we went to work and came up with a fully integrated platform both visually and programmatically.
Key elements of Higher Logic’s community and CommPartners Elevate Learning Management System now work together, prioritizing the participant experience. Twelve months later we have many organizations that have embraced this integrated approach and we have certainly learned a lot. Here are four key lessons learned from bridging these two areas:
1. In many cases organizations still need a strong, independent learning presence. In these cases we have integrated the two platforms on a micro level. Examples include pulling in community participants that are enrolled in a course or webinar or reporting learning results to the activities area in the community. These are steps that more subtly bring the two together.
2. It’s important to have staff from both your education and community teams involved. There are many variations of community driven learning that can take place. Getting initial buy-in will ensure a smooth process and better result.
3. Opportunities for social learning extend beyond typical webinars or training. A program such as a virtual conference hosted through the LMS has the power to be integrated with a conference community leveraging the engagement already in place.
4. Working together allows us to provide better guidance to our clients. It’s been extremely valuable for the Higher Logic and CommPartners teams to work closely together to bridge the knowledge gap and provide better ideas and insights to our clients.
We’re excited about continuing to bridge the gap between community and learning. If you have an interest in integrating peer to peer idea sharing with traditional learning contact a representative from either Higher Logic or CommPartners to learn more.
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by Aubrey Mellos | Jun 12, 2017 | Blog
During the past several years there has been much conversation and debate on how associations can continue to thrive in the face of increasing competition. The question is; with all of the outside “noise” influencing our stakeholders, how can these organizations cut through the clutter, and provide clear value? Sharing knowledge in the workplace and with your members is a critical component. How can associations build a learning management system that will meaningfully engage users while also monetizing education efforts?
4 knowledge sharing strategies to increase your presence and bottom line:
- Create the right mix of content.
Each type of content has a role and each role has a specific type of marketability. Offering the right balance will enhance your engagement and provide each member with ongoing value that matches their preferred learning style. Working together, each type will help formulate a robust and engaging presence for sharing knowledge within your organization.
Live Online & Onsite Events: These are online courses, webinars and webcasts, virtual conferences, and in-person conferences. Think of these as the main pieces of furniture in a room. You need these pieces, but to properly decorate the room you need more.
Social Learning: Allow your members to connect with each other and share their personal knowledge. This can take place on live event forums, community integration, and other forms of idea sharing.
Formal Education: This includes SCORM courses, blended learning, learning paths and curriculum programs that provide your members with credits and ongoing credentialing.
Informal Learning: These are typically Podcasts, blogs, news feeds, and content libraries. These components allow participants to engage around a specific topic.
- Provide relevant learning experiences.
You have a substantial amount of information about your members and you should use that knowledge to your advantage in order to present relevant learning opportunities to each individual. Allow for searchable content based on interest and recommend learning based on their past interactions or role. Relevancy is key and each learner is unique.
- Effective branding and layout will make a significant difference.
The visual impact your learning presence has is a factor to not be minimized. Whether you’re sharing knowledge in the workplace, or directly with your members — your offerings should be easy to use, offer simple navigation, and capitalize on your brand. You do not want to clutter the environment, so present the right balance of content and design that will connect with your participants.
- Be creative and bold with your pricing.
Many associations are considering new pricing strategies for their education offerings. Differentiating your pricing structure can be key to attracting members. Subscription plans, couponing, and savings packs are emerging and allow associations to reach a broader member base, while ultimately increasing revenues.
It is important to leverage the special relationship you have with your community in planning your educational offerings. Use what you know to provide relevant and engaging programs and creative pricing strategies. Brand your platform to make it shine with just the right blend of content that incorporates just-in-time learning, community events and more sustainable training opportunities.
Questions About eLearning?
Whether you are considering investing in an LMS or simply looking to better your organization’s e-learning strategy, CommPartners can help you create quality educational experiences that engage and inspire the learner. Contact us online, or give us a call at (800) 274-9390 to learn how we can help.
by Aubrey Mellos | May 30, 2017 | Blog
In order for organizations to provide timely, meaningful, and engaging education, leaders are turning to Learning Management Systems (LMS) that create an interactive learning space for members. Implementing an LMS can seem like a daunting and insurmountable task, but in truth, if you prepare and plan appropriately much of the heavy lifting can be minimized. Be thoughtful, involve the right players, and set the stage for a seamless implementation. Here are three simple steps to help you create and carry-out a successful LMS implementation plan.
Three Tips for Creating a Successful LMS Implementation Plan
Step One: Creation of Project Team
Once it has been determined that you are moving forward with implementing or changing LMS providers, determine who needs to be involved in the process and who simply needs to be aware. What departments will the LMS touch? Should each be represented on the Project Team? How so? Be upfront about the role that each member of the team will play and have an understanding of what the expectations are for each. This core group will be the driving force in ensuring a smooth and successful LMS implementation. Get the team excited and allow for open dialogue early on.
Step Two: Ideation & Concepting
Now that you have an All-Star Team in place, it’s time to start hosting generative brainstorming conversations. Your goal is to compile your team’s ultimate wish list of LMS features, options, and member/staff experiences.
Be sure to define your goals up-front, with buy-in from all of the key players. What are your education objectives? Business requirements? Engagement goals? Just as important is to identify and plan how you will integrate, design, and layout your LMS. Having clearly defined goals and implementation plans outlined will ensure that things stay on track throughout your review of vendors.
Step Three: Content & Context Strategy
Social and informal learning are becoming key drivers for a dynamic learner experience and a diverse content strategy is critical. Discussions, shared interests and engagement opportunities enhance content choices and create space for collaboration and different views. It is important to identify your education strategy and content/context mix first – then begin to work through the technology requirements to bring your strategy to life. An LMS is a powerful solution to support and advance your education program, not define it.
Interested in how to continue your journey through the LMS selection and implementation process?
Download the Complete Ten Step E-Guide for Selecting, Implementing, and Evolving Your LMS
by Aubrey Mellos | May 16, 2017 | Blog
Virtual events are a trend that won’t be going away and are quickly becoming a strategic must for associations. Virtual events can reach deep within organizations and impact a larger number of participants. Traditionally, only a select group of individuals are able to attend in-person events, leaving a majority with nothing. Virtual events are evolving the way associations offer education, are cost effective, powerful and an efficient way of extending your most compelling content to your entire community.
Here are five tips to ensure your virtual events are a success:
1 – Plan, Plan, Plan.
Virtual events require a significant amount of planning – maybe even more than place-based events. Ensure that you and your team have openly communicated about goals, intended outcomes, content and metrics. Develop and document a detailed event strategy with defined dates/milestones and pair with a corresponding production plan. A calendar of tasks and project deadlines will make for a smooth execution.
2 – Build-In Engagement.
Capitalize on the unique opportunities that a virtual event and the associated technology can offer. Leverage polls, self-assessments, chat features and integrated social channels. You can start the engagement well before your event and extend well beyond it is over.
3 – Leverage Experienced Production Partners
Having the right vendor partners is essential to the success of your event. Events that are poorly produced or using ineffective technology can leave attendees frustrated and dissatisfied. Be sure your partners can handle all support inquiries during the live event so that you and your team can focus on content delivery.
4 – Prep Speakers & Staff
Once the agenda is set, ensure that your speakers are well equipped to deliver stellar presentations that connect with the audience. In preparation of the event, take some time to guide your speakers on the technology and ensure they feel comfortable and encouraged. Additionally, make sure appropriate staff are prepared and have clearly defined roles for the live event.
5 – Promote & Build Excitement
You have invested significant time in planning and preparing for your event. Be sure to effectively market and promote your event with the same intensity as place-based events. Promote early, often, and increase the intensity as you lead up to the live event. Facilitate the engagement, open up discussions, and promote conversation through social media. Getting attendees excited before the event will promise a lively and robust event and even pave the way for post event conversations.
Virtual events shed a new light on member engagement strategies. They remove the barriers for attendance that exist with place-based events and as a result, extend your reach, revenue, and impact.
CommPartners produces hundreds of virtual events each year, including many that are executed from within an LMS environment. The seamless integration of CommPartners’ webinar and multimedia platforms within Elevate LMS make for a dynamic learning experience and hassle-free management for staff and presenters.
To learn more about how to make virtual events apart of your strategic reality, please contact us.
by Aubrey Mellos | Nov 17, 2016 | News
Columbia, MD – November 17, 2016. CommPartners, a leading provider of Learning Management Software, webcast, and event live stream solutions and Higher Logic, the leader in cloud-based community platforms announce they will be collaborating to fully integrate community and online learning. Traditionally these two spheres have been presented as separate components. Through this new partnership, Higher Logic clients will now be able to access online courses directly within a community framework, further leveraging the relationship among participants and host organizations. CommPartners’ clients will now benefit by having greater engagement through Higher Logic’s community platform.
“We have been talking for years about the need to bridge the divide between learning and community. This partnership provides the opportunity for a true knowledge hub similar to how we participate within a classroom environment.” Richard Finstein, CEO, CommPartners
CommPartners Elevate LMS will extend the value of Higher Logic Communities through simple and secure course access, centralized reporting of results, and simple setup and management. Elevate LMS is powering the Higher Logic Academy which will provide the company’s clients with educational offerings and training.
“Our partnership with CommPartners and Elevate LMS is a great opportunity to bring together the strength of online communities and social learning tools. Higher Logic and CommPartners already offer innovative services for any organization looking to improve engagement and connect people. We’re excited to debut the new Higher Logic Academy alongside CommPartners as a premier online learning tool.” Mark Lowry, CRO, Higher Logic
To learn more about CommPartners and Elevate LMS please contact Meghan Gowen at mgowen@commpartners.com or 443.539.4851.
About Higher Logic
Higher Logic is an industry leader in cloud-based community platforms. Organizations worldwide use Higher Logic to bring people all together, by giving their community a home where they can interact, share ideas, answer questions and stay connected. Learn more at www.higherlogic.com
About CommPartners
CommPartners is a leading provider of online education and event solutions. At the core of the company’s solutions is our Elevate Learning Management System. Elevate is the only LMS with fully integrated and embedded webinar, livestream and multimedia software to support learning, how and when it occurs. The connection between live, peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges and traditional continuing education programs leads to improved learning outcomes, as well as increased participation within an organization’s education offerings. To learn more visit: www.commpartners.com
https://www.newswire.com/news/a-new-social-learning-initiative-commpartners-and-higher-logic-17020728
