What is a Learning Experience Platform (LXP)

As technology continues to drive transformation in digital learning, learning experience platforms (LXPs) have emerged as the new kid on the block. These AI-powered platforms have become a mainstay of the online learning ecosystem in just a few short years.

One of the main reasons they have gained traction so quickly is the LXP’s ability to offer more comprehensive, personalised professional development opportunities. Think of the LXP platform as a personal learning portal. And much like Netflix or Google, the software presents learners with a selection of content tailored to the user’s interests and job role. From eBooks and expert blogs to podcasts and videos, content comes from an extensive variety of internal and external sources.

With a learning experience platform, learners are firmly in control. They can set their own learning goals and let the LXP work its magic. This makes the LXP the perfect partner in self-paced, online learning.

This post takes an in-depth look at the LXP learning experience.

We explore the essential features and also compare the LXP to learning management systems. By the end, you will fully understand how LXPs fit into the digital learning landscape.

LXP software uses AI to deliver customised learning experiences and helps users discover new learning opportunities more easily.

Learning experience platforms have a similar look and feel to popular social networking or multimedia sites. And they can be used across all digital touchpoints, including desktops and mobile apps.

So, what are the must-have features for learning experience platforms?

While every LXP is different, the following features are essential.

• Curated content: LXPs apply machine learning and AI to curate content customised to the individual. Using content tagging, the software indexes and links internal or third-party content. And it will also make personalised recommendations. The software gets to know users and will identify content based on their job role, skills, interests and viewing history.

• Analytics: LXP platforms come with a set of in-built analytics. The data is displayed in dashboards and helps users track their progress towards learning goals. Administrators have their own data sets to understand usage trends and how learners are using the platform.

• Integration with external platforms: Best-of-breed LXPs integrate with the organisation’s third-party apps, such as CRM or ERP systems, company intranets, and even external platforms like LinkedIn Learning.

• Content creation: LXPs often allow users to create and publish their own content. User-generated content can include hyperlinks, videos, images or other documents. And other users of the platform can comment on the posts.

• Chatbots: Some LXPs use 24/7 AI-powered chatbots. These help learners find what they need or complete a task.

• Gamification: Many learning experience platforms incorporate gamification elements like leaderboards, badges and special privileges. The aim is to improve engagement by introducing an element of competition. However, users can choose whether to participate.  

• The LMS is essentially a centralised library of internal digital assets.

Learning management systems have long been used by training and development professionals to manage the delivery of corporate programmes.

Administrators manage registrations for courses and events, share learning resources, track users’ progress and monitor compliance training. Users go to the LMS to search for and complete programmes or training modules.

It’s very much a top-down approach, with administrators setting the agenda for learners. Users have little control over the content they are presented with and the activities they complete.

• LXPs are knowledge enablers

By contrast, the LXP learning experience is entirely different. LXPs are knowledge enablers and offer a bottom-up approach to learning that gives control to users.

The LXP is an open platform that allows learners to ‘discover’ new learning opportunities from a much wider variety of internal and external sources.

Think of the LMS as a library building. Users can only uncover resources contained within the walls of the library.

However, with an LXP, learners can also access opportunities outside the brick-and-mortar library building.

The LMS still has a role to play in corporate learning. They are particularly useful for compliance training or other company-critical mandated development.

For example, those organisations with compulsory health and safety requirements can ensure that employees complete the required modules and courses. LMS administrators report on employees’ learning to satisfy regulatory compliance.

The LMS is also invaluable in employee onboarding. New hires follow a prescribed induction pathway, and administrators can easily track progress.

The LMS does a great job managing courses, classes and admin. But unlike the learning experience platform, it’s not so effective at enabling knowledge and information discovery. For a more immersive, self-directed experience, the LXP is hard to beat.

And the personalised LXP learner experience means employees get more out of their learning. Content and interactions are geared towards the learner’s needs, job and skills. Employees use LXP platforms for help with job-related tasks and to plan and work towards longer-term career goals.

And the LXP is a more flexible platform. Users can customise their learning goals. And they can decide how, when and where they choose to learn. Furthermore, learners have access to a vast range of content both within and outside the LMS, providing a far superior learner experience.

LXP platforms are the perfect partner for digital learning. Highly engaging and customisable, the LXP ensures your employees get the most out of their learning experiences. And it’s complementary to the self-paced, flexible nature of online learning.

Employees are used to AI-powered multimedia sites with sophisticated content discovery capabilities in their personal lives. And increasingly, they expect to see the same in their professional development channels.

Digital learning designers need to embrace LXPs if they want to provide innovative and high-quality learning experiences that satisfy employees’ needs.

The learning experience platform supports the drive towards enhanced accessibility in digital design. Accessibility is all about ensuring online learning helps all students achieve regardless of their abilities or limitations.

LXPs offer several advantages in achieving this goal, including the following:

• Users set their learning goals and personalised learning plans, free from the rigid framework of the LMS

• Employees work at their own pace for anytime, anywhere learning, including on-the-go mobile devices

• Learning experience platforms support different types of learning. LXPs offer something to every learner type: from problem-based to group and blended learning through to podcasts, videos, blogs and much more. And this includes those using assistive technologies.  

• AI-driven content curation offers a customised learner experience tailored to the individual’s needs. And in the context of accessibility, this personalisation is critical and goes far beyond the capabilities of even the best LMS

• Staff are in control and can ensure they are learning how they learn best.

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