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Integrated Learning Software Helps Continuing Education Providers Grow Smarter

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Many benefits of software integration are self-evident. For instance, would you rather:

  1. Use six different software applications to complete six different tasks, or
  2. Complete those same six tasks with one application?

All else being equal, handling multiple tasks with one piece of software is easier for everyone. You can finish work faster and communicate more seamlessly with colleagues, learners, and vendors. Compared to information silos – where different process and data reside with different people using different software – fully integrated software helps continuing education (CE) providers work more efficiently.

But working smarter is the tip of the iceberg. Integrating processes and tasks also helps you grow smarter and improve learner satisfaction.

All CE providers depend on legacy infrastructure

Learner and activity data, public-facing websites, enduring or journal-based content… Some components of your learner experience are static. They’ve got to remain with you no matter what software you use to build and deliver activities:

In a siloed environment, dealing with all of this information introduces enormous administrative hassles. Case in point: The American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Before moving to a fully integrated learning management system, the otherwise simple procedure of obtaining a certificate eluded the AAN’s continuing medical education (CME) learners.

“I used to get lots of questions from learners about how to obtain a certificate after testing,” said Patty Baskin, Executive Editor for Neurology Journals at the AAN.

Like many CE providers, the AAN relied on a siloed process. Certificate-generating tools were the domain of AAN administrators. Learners had access to journal content, but they couldn’t view or print certificates after reading articles and completing post-tests. After integrating those processes with a single application, things improved.

“It is rare now for members to request certificates,” Patty said. “Our members are less tempted to go elsewhere for CME.”

Lower call volume is a win for efficiency, but simplifying the certificate generation process also helps the AAN fulfill a more consequential goal – improving the learner experience.

A better learner experience, after all, can help CE providers broaden the appeal of their activities and boost participation over the long term. By integrating the processes required to manage legacy infrastructure, you enable new opportunities for growth.

Opportunities for continuing education providers

If you provide continuing education activities, opting for a fully integrated learning management system (LMS) offers a wealth of growth opportunities:

Valuable content, ample time to focus on educational achievement, greater learner satisfaction – these results make the overall CE experience better for everyone. And a better CE experience helps you expand the appeal of your activity offerings and increase participation.

In short, integrating disparate processes can help CE providers grow.

It’s one thing to embrace learning management technologies, but embracing a fully integrated learning management platform offers extraordinary value. You can take advantage of legacy infrastructure, all the while increasing the relevance and real-world impact of continuing education activities.

Everyone wins, especially your learners.