Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on LMS vs LXP

L&D
1

LMS = Learning management systems.

“A learning management system (LMS) is a software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process. It is used for [eLearning] practices and, in its most common form, consists of two elements: a server that performs the base functionality and a user interface that is operated by instructors, students and administrators.” -TechTarget

LMSs laid the foundation for the introduction and integration of powerful corporate online learning programs.

LXP = Learning Experience Platform.

“A learning experience platform (LXP) is an AI-driven peer learning experience platform delivered using software as a service (SaaS).” - TechTarget

LXPs have been touted as the next generation of learning management systems, evolving what had primarily been a tool for top-down, management-driven learning, in which the organization determines and dictates the goals of the L&D program.

In your opinion, are they BOTH necessary for L&D departments to implement in order to effectively achieve organizational advancement? Or is there a third option?

2 Likes
2

Honestly, I am of the opinion that the term “LXP” is mostly a made-up marketing term. Some LMS provider wanted to differentiate themselves, so they tried coining a new term.

Most products in the LMS/LXP/XYZ space are combinations of different things and features. Maybe we should just call them “learning platforms”?

2 Likes
3

Is it possible that the platform itself doesn’t limit the type of learning that happens or is presented there? I think (hope?) it may be possible to use a single platform to provide a variety of learning experiences, as long as the instructional designer is open to creative approaches to learning.

2 Likes
4

Thanks Melissa Fiske! What a thought provoking question :slight_smile: @MelissaFiske

Thinking about this topic makes me hopeful! I’ve see new platforms arise especially during the past few years, yet the the topic sometimes makes my head hurt! Some articles try to define and clarify the similarities and differences between the LMS , LXP, and some even add in more types of learning platforms/systems into the mix including CMS, Digital Management Systems and more! Makes for real time confusion!

Here’s a little more - my take on this topic. Coming from a purely academic background, I’ve worked and designed and have experience with BB, Canvas, Thinkific, Future Learn, Thing Link 360 VR, and quite a few more including MOOC platforms like Future Learn and Coursera. For a number of years most of those were the rock stars in the LMS space.

Personally and professionally it was frustrating to not have the social engagement in these major league LMS’s! As a educator, I was highly disappointed with the LTI, missing SSO, security, privacy, safety, data mining, and often frustrated by the numerous updates and lack of accessibility compliance, and support on these huge platforms.

Luckily, I noticed NOVO ED’s course in LXD, which profoundly influenced me and piqued my curiosity as a new, innovative, type of social learning experience centric platform. I was hot on this topic including interactivity using video, audio , keeping the content and experiences as much as possible within the learning platform. There’s much more you might agree :slight_smile: on the NOVO Ed LXD Learning Platform.

The first gen LMS’s like BB continuously churning out updates, patching etc., so very frustrating on the backend, and the front end- sometimes as frustrating too. I have found in reality these first gens stayed the same in purpose and intention for over a decade.

With that said, the arrival of the LXP platforms should be recognized for the purpose and intention, which is in it’s purest ideation, proof of concept and launch much different in design as well, than the first gen LMS’s.

Business environments that I’ve seen do not use BB or Canvas as much and there is a good reason(s). Most of the time these huge, robust, $$$$, managed systems are complex to manage, complicated to design in, and are not really UX user friendly- and I believe that is their organic design and structure. Enticing to many because of the scalability and ROI? Perhaps some reasons why these huge titanics are still floating.

On the other hand, the LXP has far superiority in intentionality in the UX space.
I’m always looking out for new innovations in our LXD area and am hopeful the LXP or another future version will be accessible and scalable for business environments.

Academics, historically slow to adopt and change will not right now be the go to sources for this information. I do have hope in the academic space that some universities and colleges have been designing and investigating AI and the metaverse- metaversities for learning experience design. Maybe even Metaverse as a learning platform?

It’s an exciting time to explore these new innovative platforms. Their future names I hope to appreciate too. As learning designers we need to keep an open mind and even try out some of the metaverse experiences that business environments have been invested in.
These are likely to be the new learning platforms in the next few years.

Here’s a link that’s helpful I hope.
https://www.zdnet.com/education/computers-tech/best-lms/

LINK

3 Likes
5

IMHO they are not both needed @MelissaFiske, I think the driver is what and who do you want/need to support where and when. The LXP model (which needs an LRS too, a cost issue to analyze) has many positives in terms of access to multiple layers of content objects without the need to register/enroll in a course and (if tagged appropriately) can be tracked and trended helping focus on performance needs in the field. LMS platforms still are a solid and robust tool if the focus is on course/training delivery and reporting.

1 Like
6

Well said and explained @Roxann !

1 Like