Since the term Learning Experience Platform (LXP) was introduced about three years ago, businesses have been wondering whether it’s the hype or a trend. Will it replace traditional LMSs? Should we integrate LMSs or LXPs? Let’s find out the answers to these questions.
LXP vs LMS: What’s the Difference?
First things first, so we’ll define what LMS is to understand the difference between an LMS and its successor LXP. An LMS, or Learning Management System, is used to assign training content to users as well as track users’ achievements. When it comes to Learning Experience Platforms, they provide a more personalized learning experience for its users as they choose what to learn themselves from a variety of content available. Still, this feature is not the only differentiator.
Who Curates Users?
One of the key differences between LMSs and LXPs is who controls the content that each user sees and learns. In LMSs, it’s admins who assign courses to users, while in LXPs the content is recommended based on preferences, skills, and other factors, and users can choose what they want to consume. Artificial Intelligence helps LXPs detect users’ learning needs and preferences to define their individual learning strategy that will satisfy their goals for growth.
What Content and Courses Do Users Learn?
The content types of LMSs and LXPs are quite different in the way they are suggested to learners. An LMS typically offers training courses compliant with the company objectives and standards. Alternatively, an LXP is designed more for personal learning and growth rather than for standardized training and assessment.
What Are the Sources of Content?
Finally, LMSs and LXPs host different types of content. The former typically uses more standardized content utilized within an organization. For example, employees can be assigned to take an intern training course, so the system will track the progress and the final test score. LXPs are more democratic in the content formats. Learners can take online courses from third parties, watch videos, webinars, and practice other activities that are not limited by a number of assigned courses. So, the LXP brings more flexibility to learners.
Out-of-the-box Solution vs Custom LXP
Without any doubt, new learning technologies are on the rise, so many companies strive to provide their employees with a user-friendly learning environment. If you decide to integrate an LXP into your company’s infrastucture, you have two options to choose from: purchasing an out-of-the-box solution or building a custom Learning Experience Platform. Let’s identify which of the options will work better for you.
Out-of-the-box LXPs
Although the LXP technology is a newcomer to the market, there are products that can be purchased as a boxed solution. When should you opt for them?
- If you have a limited budget, you can obtain a SaaS subscription, which is cheaper than developing a new learning system from scratch.
- If you don’t have in-house expertise to maintain the system’s stability, you can just pay for the license and trust the responsibility for the system to the vendor.
- If you need to set up the learning process fast, you can purchase the required number of licenses and start the learning process.
Custom LXP Solutions
Developing an LXP system from scratch requires significant time and money investment. Stil, you should consider building an LXP from scratch if your objectives meet the following requirements.
- Need for unique courses. If you want to apply custom content formats, for example, gamification or AR-based training, out-of-the-box systems may not fit your requirements. Still, custom solutions can host whatever content you need.
- Need for controlling your courses. Although dealing with vendors is cheaper, you might want to control what content you want to host, what source you want to use. Besides, as a matter of security, custom LXP systems are less unknown to hackers, thus having fewer system vulnerabilities.
Key Features of LXP
On top of all the LMS features, you should consider new ones that are associated with Learning Experience platforms. So, here are the must-have features every LXP should have.
- User generated content support.
L&D content is no longer enough for modern learners. We all know that people learn better from other people. Thus, be sure your system allows its users to share such content formats as webcam recordings, videos, images, YouTube links, web links, and others.
- AI-based personalization as a standard.
An LXP is not an LXP if it doesn’t support the ‘’Netflix-like’’ format. The system’s users should get personalized user experience. So, Artificial Intelligence plays a crucial role in personalization.
- Mobile support
With the rise of the ‘’learning on the go’’ trend in training and education, mobile apps are getting more and more popular. Thus, mobile support should be a priority to provide better learning opportunities to your employees.
- Gamification
Gamification encourages users for learning as it serves as a true motivator. So, it’s a good feature to integrate into your LXP.
- Social learning
This feature covers all the functions that make your LXP’s users communicate with others, for example, forums, team-based exercises, or rooms for training together.
Conclusion
LXPs are great opportunities for bringing the e-learning solutions to the new level. Its personalized approach to content suggesting helps learners in their personal and professional growth. Whether you are a small business or larger organization, you should think of leveraging LXPs, be it a boxed solution or a custom system.
