Revolutionizing Specialized Training: ACOD’s Success With Open LMS

The Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) is the largest independently owned training provider for the optical industry in Australasia. Operating as a registered training organization (RTO No: 45068) in Australia and New Zealand, ACOD offers specialized courses such as Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing and, through its hearing-focused AuCA brand, a Diploma and Certificate IV in Audiometry.

With a focus on career progression and skill enhancement, ACOD partnered with Open LMS to streamline and enhance the learning experience for its students and educators.

The Challenge: Addressing Inefficiencies in Traditional Training Methods

ACOD encountered significant challenges in delivering specialized training for its optical dispensing and audiometry niches using traditional in-person methods. As an RTO, ACOD is required to provide high-quality educational and support services while ensuring its learning resources are accessible and meet the needs of its diverse learner cohorts.

However, students often faced a cumbersome, linear progression through unit-based learning paths that lacked intuitive design and failed to cater to their needs. The overlapping content in certain units further complicated the process, creating inefficiencies and frustration.

In addition, the in-person methods ACOD had historically relied on offered limited flexibility and accessibility compared to digital alternatives. Recognizing the clear need for a digital learning platform, ACOD also had to ensure the tool could seamlessly integrate with its student management system, VETtrak, to optimize administrative workflows.

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The Solution: Leveraging Open LMS for a Student-Focused Learning Platform

In 2017, ACOD selected Open LMS as its first learning management system (LMS). Open LMS provides a cost-effective Moodle™-based learning platform while offering enhanced features and dedicated support unique to its implementation. The Open LMS team further bolstered ACOD’s operations by providing cloud hosting, templates, and infrastructure that allowed for the creation of a streamlined, student-focused course structure. Key enhancements included:

• Simplified course navigation: Courses were redesigned with a straightforward, tab-based structure. Students could easily progress from one module to the next, creating a more intuitive and enjoyable learning experience.
• Integration with VETtrak: This integration enabled smooth management of passwords, usernames, and other administrative details, reducing the burden on staff.
• Reporting and analytics: Open LMS provided comprehensive reporting tools to track student progress, monitor engagement, and ensure timely completion of coursework.
• Support during updates: Open LMS’s Adoption and Education team provided guidance and resources that ensured a smooth transition during significant Moodle™ updates.
• Flexibility for multitenancy: As part of its change management strategy, ACOD’s optical dispensing courses are due to start transitioning to the latest version of Open LMS. Once achieved, it plans to leverage multitenancy capabilities to separate its audiometry audience from the optical dispensing students, enabling more efficient program management.

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The Results: Transformative Outcomes in Student Satisfaction and Learning

Since implementing Open LMS, ACOD has achieved remarkable outcomes:

1) Enhanced student satisfaction: ACOD’s dedication to enhancing the student experience shines through in positive satisfaction scores. Key metrics from 2023 include:

• 88.1% of students achieved their main reason for undertaking training
• 93.1% experienced at least one personal benefit
• 89% of students expressed satisfaction with the overall training provided
• 84.6% of students would recommend the training provider to others
• 87.1% expressed satisfaction with teaching quality

2) Improved learning experience: The intuitive tab-based course structure has reduced confusion, creating a seamless learning process with minimal complaints. Students start at the top and progress through numbered tabs in sequence, eliminating uncertainty about where to begin or what comes next. Further, the platform's straightforward design—free from unnecessary animations or obscure menus and user journeys—enabled easier navigation. As a result, 83.6% of students now find the learning resources helpful and relevant, reflecting the positive impact of this improved structure.

3) Reliable Support: Open LMS’s responsive and proactive support team earned an extremely positive rating from ACOD executives. This high level of service is also reflected in a 79.3% satisfaction rate reported by students for support services.

By prioritizing student needs and leveraging Open LMS’s capabilities, ACOD has set a new standard for delivering high-quality, specialist training programs in Australasia.

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