Pathways on Learning Management System

I believe it is important for all Toastmasters to realize that Toastmasters International did not write the software for Base Camp,
the online gateway to the Pathways educational program.  Toastmasters chose to partner with a Learning Management System (LMS) from Cornerstone on Demand.

I remember filling out the application to become a Pathways Guide.  One of the listed (preferred) criteria was knowledge of learning management systems.  That actually made me a little anxious.  I did have experience as a user.  My employer applied a LMS for various required learning modules such as compliance training.  I did not have any experience in customizing a LMS to distribute training.  Turns out, I did have the experience necessary.  That’s why I’m mentioning it.  It helps with Pathways to recognize the software is a customized instance of software that exists to manage online training and learning programs. LMS software is used the automate the entire learning lifecycle - from setting up course curricula, building content, tracking student completion, etc.

I feel that Toastmasters did a good job in implementing the LMS to deliver the project content.  Still, it takes some getting used to.  I do hear about frustrations in getting started with Pathways.  Much of the confusion comes from not recognizing how to navigate in the platform.  Once you do get used to it, it becomes second nature and you can focus on the Toastmasters content.

There are some quirks in Pathways where customization didn’t leave things perfect.  One tiny instance is seeing the “Due: No Due Date” text near your project names.  There is no due date in Toastmasters, the text is simply an artifact that isn’t (yet) customizable to remove.

When I hear comments that Pathways is complicated or confusing I like to discuss it by demonstrating Pathways with them to understand their perspective. I find the reason they are frustrated is almost always the LMS platform navigation.  Once a person has seen how the LMS operations work, they can concentrate on the content.  I heartily recommend that you have your mentor, or your VP-Education, or your Pathways Guide provide you with a demonstration on the basics of the LMS platform to get you to your transcript content and show you how to work in your projects.

There is plenty of self-help included to get you comfortable.  Use it.  From your Base Camp Home page, pick the blue tile on the left for “Navigating Base Camp”. Then select the top middle tile for “work in my projects”.  Those brief videos are precisely the guidance you need to see by demonstration.  Get someone to demonstrate it, or do it yourself.  Or both… More on the next post.