What is a Learning Experience Platform (LXP)?

A learning experience platform (LXP) is a peer learning experience platform that uses software as a service and is AI-driven (SaaS). LXPs were developed as a result of an innovative approach to corporate learning platforms that addressed alleged weaknesses in learning management systems (LMS).

An LXP flips the approach to focus on employee needs, whereas a learning management system focuses on the needs of the Learning & Development (L&D) department to give education, policy, and compliance training to employees.

A simple learning and development platform is known as an LXP. Employees have opportunities for professional growth thanks to LXPs, which also assist them in finding answers to important business concerns. Learning experience platforms herald a change in learning management systems’ top-down, management-administered approach in favor of one that is more independent, autonomous, and self-directed.

The phrase “learning experience platform” was created by industry analyst Josh Bersin. LXPs give a contemporary, consumer-grade look and feel similar to those of well-known social networking and multimedia websites, whereas the user experience (UX) of standard corporate learning platforms may be viewed as antiquated or stale. Moreover, LXPs deliver completely functional mobile device experiences via mobile apps and responsive design.

LXPs are capable of supporting a broad range of information that originates both inside and outside a company’s firewall. Among the content categories in an LXP are blog entries, articles from the industry, videos, podcasts, and courses. LXPs give end users the ability to submit material and develop social profiles with their accomplishments, activities, and biographies.

What are LXPs used for?

LXPs are utilized to meet the self-directed learning requirements of workers seeking professional and skill advancement. Although an LMS is an excellent choice for compliance training, it is inadequate for open-ended discovery and goal-based learning. Employees might say, “We want to learn more about Java programming,” for instance, only to find that there are no courses in the LMS course catalog that meet their requirements.

An LXP employs artificial intelligence (AI) to suggest to users online content from other websites, such as blog entries, documents, and videos. Users can receive tailored learning based on their prior behavior, expressed goals, or inferred learning preferences thanks to the application of AI. In a manner akin to social networking, an LXP connects users with peers or experts and enables peer-based social networking platforms.

Key features

The following characteristics of a learning experience platform are essential.

Producing content. An LXP accepts user-submitted material from clients. Workers can publish posts and lessons using a WYSIWYG editor, which allows for the inclusion of hyperlinks, images, videos, and documents. The postings and lessons can be rated and commented on by other LXP users.

Content vetting. LXPs offer machine learning services to judiciously choose and arrange external information found on the web and to make individualized suggestions to users. Users can also manually curate content from both internal and external sources to share with others.

AI-based training and recommendation systems. Some LXPs can consume training information (such as documents or videos) and use AI and machine learning to ascertain what the content is teaching. The AI can then produce recommendations, training, and microlearning. Certain LXPs can recognize the user’s educational needs and can then skip to the exact point in a video where the learner should start watching.

Analytics. To display in dashboards and reports used by both end users and administrators, LXPs gather and store usage and learning data. Employees can use the dashboards to monitor their progress toward their goals, and administrators can use them to identify platform-wide learning and usage patterns.

Chatbots. Several LXPs offer chatbots powered by AI that are accessible to users around the clock. The chatbots can provide consumers with advice and help them with their present work. People communicate with chatbots by entering text on a chat window.

Gamification. Gamification, or game mechanics, is used by LXPs to increase competition and participation (e.g., leaderboards, badges, achievements, and special privileges).

Integration with suppliers of e-learning content. Users can access course materials from sites like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udacity thanks to LXPs’ integration with both free and premium e-learning providers.

Integration with systems run by outside companies. An LXP can link to external business systems utilized by the firm, including CRM, ERP, cloud storage, document management, and communications.

LXP benefits

The advantages of a learning experience platform include the following.

Individualized and tailored learning paths. An LXP uses AI and machine learning to provide individualized learning recommendations to employees. Employees can benefit more from the platform with personalized learning because the material and interactions are tailored to their learning objectives. Administrators now have the option to manually configure the training recommendations sent to users with LXPs.

Agile education. Conventional education necessitates planning: Students must block off an hour or more of time to view an online course. These days, it might not be possible to take a few hours out of a day’s agenda. To better accommodate their hectic schedules, employees would much rather have agile learning experiences that can provide content fast and flexibly in the flow of work. LXPs give microlearning materials that fill demand at a specific time.

Difference between LXP and LMS

Employees have very little control over the content they consume or the activities they engage in an LMS because the course sequences and learning paths are set by the LMS administrators. By giving end users complete influence over the learning process, an LXP democratizes the learning process.

Workers are free to choose their learning objectives and trajectories. An LXP offers an open-ended discovery platform that can let employees go on whatever path they desire, in contrast to an LMS, which limits learners’ experiences to a predetermined curriculum.

In a closed system, an LMS restricts access to learning materials to the modules and courses offered by the administrators. LMS systems do not allow end users to produce material or incorporate resources from outside vendors.

On the other hand, LXPs are open platforms that unrestrictedly permit the integration and dissemination of external material. LXPs also gives users the option to curate and add material for other users to find. In an LXP, end users can improve their reputation and profile by sharing their knowledge.

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