What do your learners really think about your LMS?

You can invest in new learning technologies, redesign your courses, and train up your staff, but if your learners find your learning management system (LMS) frustrating, confusing, or inconsistent, you’re missing the mark.

Across Asia Pacific, higher education institutions are navigating this disconnect. In our State of Higher Education Philippines report, two-thirds of learners in the country said they were likely to pursue more flexible learning options like blended courses, microcredentials, or short courses. 

And in Australia and New Zealand, that number climbs even higher, with nearly three-quarters of learners open to these same alternatives. Their reasons? Convenience, customisation, and the ability to learn on their terms. But what’s most telling isn’t what learners want—it’s how often they’re not asked for their feedback. Without it, institutions risk investing in systems that work on paper but not in practice.

What learners actually want from their LMS

The top priority for learners across the APAC region is flexibility. But that doesn’t mean they want to abandon structure. Instead, they’re looking for learning environments that give them more control over how, when, and where they study.

For instance, In the Philippines, 71 percent of learners cited the ability to study when and where it’s convenient as the most compelling benefit of flexible learning. In Australia and New Zealand, the figure was almost identical. Yet many still encounter clunky platforms, disjointed navigation, or course-to-course inconsistencies that make it harder to learn.

These frustrations aren’t limited to hypotheticals. Maddi, a university student at Australian Catholic University, experienced the shift firsthand when ACU moved from a legacy platform to Canvas, which is designed around learner needs.

“Canvas was a much more streamlined experience… I had everything in one place. It made me feel more in control.”  —Maddi Rose, student, Australia

It might sound outdated, but plenty of learners are still relying on screenshots, group chats, and guesswork to stay on top of deadlines. That’s often the reality when legacy systems are cobbled together without clear structure or support.

LMS friction is learning friction

In both reports, learners and educators made one thing clear: consistency matters. In the Philippines, 92 percent of educators said it was important that learners use the same technology tools across their academic journey. In Australia and New Zealand, 83 percent of educators agreed.

Despite this, many institutions still use a patchwork of platforms or allow course-level variations in how content is delivered. While that may seem flexible in theory, the result is often confusion. 

In the Philippines, institutions that allowed multiple LMSs on campus saw this backfire, as learners and administrators struggled to manage incompatible systems.

An inconsistent LMS experience affects more than results. It also impacts confidence, access, and retention, especially for those balancing work, family, or financial pressures. 

In both reports, cost of living was a top concern, with 74 percent of learners in ANZ and 75 percent in the Philippines worried about how it would impact their studies. Systems that make learning harder add pressure learners can’t afford.

Watch Martin Bean CBE, former Vice-Chancellor of RMIT University, share why the learner experience is critical when it comes to the success of your LMS.

A better way forward

When learners use their LMS, they’re experiencing how their institution communicates, supports, and structures their learning. Over time, that experience shapes whether the platform feels intuitive or difficult to navigate. Even small moments of friction—confusing layouts, missing links, inconsistent tools—can add up, making it harder for learners to stay engaged and on track.

Institutions across APAC are starting to take notice. In ANZ, hybrid learning is now the most common mode of delivery in New Zealand, and is rising in Australia. In the Philippines, nearly half of learners are already engaged in hybrid or blended learning. They’re ready, but they need their institution’s technology to meet them there.

The solution isn’t to abandon face-to-face learning. It’s to choose tools that support a cohesive, learner-friendly experience, whether learning happens in person, online, or somewhere in between.

Ready to see the difference?

If your LMS is confusing learners, it’s time to listen. Institutions that prioritise the learner experience through consistency, clarity, and accessibility are setting themselves apart.

Want to know what your LMS says to your learners? Book a Canvas demo and experience the difference for yourself.