Pushing the limits of
SharePoint as an LMS
Michael Barshinger
Mya Emery
Jennifer Beaudette
• Michael Barshinger
• Husband, Father, Cyclist, CEO, Dog Owner
@barsh
What is learning management?
A learning management system (LMS)
is a software application for the
administration, documentation,
tracking, and reporting of training
programs, classroom and online events,
e-learning programs, and training
content
Intranets are by their very nature
learning management systems
Informal Formal
Learning
Employee
discovers
he/she needs
to learn
something
Organization
needs
employees to
learn
something
Learning
Silo Apps SharePoint
Informal Formal
Employee
discovers
he/she needs
to learn
something
Organization
needs
employees to
learn
something
Can silo LMS apps be replaced with SharePoint?
Document Library
Training Calendar
Video Library
Trade-offs
Video Library
• No completion tracking
• No bookmarking
• No assessments
• No simulations
• Not SCORM compliant
• No reporting
Training Calendar
• No registration process
• No seating capacity management
• No training room conflict management
• No Outlook / iPhone calendar integration
• No reminders
• No reporting
Learning
UniversitySite SharePoint
Informal Formal
Employee
discovers
he/she needs
to learn
something
Organization
needs
employees to
learn
something
My approach to integrating an LMS
UniversitySite SharePoint
Informal Formal
Employee
discovers
he/she needs
to learn
something
Organization
needs
employees to
learn
something
Learning
Mya Emery
Training Manager
Sharepoint and USite Fusion
Who is Bryan Cave?
• Founded in 1873
• More than 1100 lawyers
• Headquartered in St. Louis, MO
– 24 Offices Worldwide
– 8 International Consulting Offices
• #59 on AmLaw 100 List
• Rank #2 in BTI Client Service 30 list
Considerations
• Demonstrate Progress Early
• Phased Approach
• Re-use Existing Content
• Single Sign-on
• SCORM Compliance
Deployment Strategy
• Phased Rollout
Calendar
Course Catalog
eLearning
Learning Plans
Learning Management at BC
• Content gravitates to user
• Make content re-usable
• Reduce classroom time
• Highlight most important or timely content
One Class – Everywhere
BC Tech Made Easy
• Intranet site devoted solely to new or
featured technology initiatives.
• Featured tags utilized to surface:
– Quick Reference Cards
– eLearning
– Relevant Courses
BC Tech Made Easy
Tags Are Your Friend
• Apps
• Tasks
• Owners
• Initiative or Project
• Special Use
Current “Self Help” Library
Future State
• More video content
– Task level
– Customized to user’s
job title/location/role
• More PreLearning:
– “Know Before You Go”
• “Go In-Depth” pathing including
“See it/Try it” options within eLearning
Future State Continued
• Greater leveraging of firm Search Engine
• Greater integration of “non-course” material
with Usite courses
• More flexible ability to define Social Ranking
– “My Peer”
– “Trend Setter”
– “I Want to Be Like…”
Lessons Learned
• Significant Management interest to be able
to track learning progress
• It’s OK to repeat yourself
• Self-paced, pre-learning works!
– Average Feedback of 4.5 out of 5
• It’s OK to repeat yourself
“This session was very
helpful. It along with the
training videos made me feel
much more comfortable
about the conversion.”
– Secretary
“The training was well done.
It was both efficient and
effective. I left
understanding what I need
to work on the new systems,
and who to contact for
additional help.”
– Lawyer
Jennifer Beaudette
Manager, IT Business Analysis, Applications & Development
Jennifer Beaudette
Fish & Richardson
• 11 Offices
– 10 US
– 1 Europe
• 1100 Users
• 400 Attorneys
Learning
• Varied Learners = Varied Offerings
– Formal Training
– Informal Content
• Learning is broader than training
• Accessibility
– Convenient Locations
– Varied Locations
– Proactive and Reactive
Learning Environment
Sharepoint
(Native)
University Site
SLK
FR Education & Development
U-Site
Formal
Video, Webex, Classroom
Materials
Tracking & Reporting
SLK
Accessibility
Exposure
Sharepoint
Informal
“Learn” Sites
Help Files
Handbooks
Service Catalog
Blogs
Examples
End User Service Catalog
Sharepoint
Access to U-Site
“LEARN” Sites
• Centralized
• Accessible
• Consolidated Info
Central Site
Links to Formal Training
Help Files
Archived Email Tips
Handouts/
Tip Sheets
Help & Feedback
Links
Blogs
“LEARN” Site
Help Files & Handbooks
• Created in OneNote
• Stored on a central Sharepoint 2010 Site
• Exposed/Accessible within applications and
various locations via the Intranet
• Viewed in Browser
• Easy to update (no code)
Help Files & Handbooks
Closing Thoughts
Aside from formal training courses…
• How do users find answers to simple questions?
• How do they empower and educate themselves?
• How accessible is this information?
• Can they collaborate with IT or others conveniently?
• How easy is it for you to keep your information up to date?
• Are you using Sharepoint to the full potential?
