Ten years is a long time in the tech business, especially when a product or application can go from the ‘next big thing’ to ‘out of date’ quicker than you can say ‘decade’.

While learning experience platforms (LXP) are still going strong, they have changed markedly from their inaugural versions in 2013 to the sophisticated and highly technical programmes you see today.

Therefore, it follows that their functionality has significantly changed. As a result, LXP has gone from being merely a consolidation machine for content to an integral part of learning ecosystems and informed business decisions.

What this means is that the criteria for choosing the right LXP for your needs are constantly evolving. This begs the question of what exactly you should be looking for.

Well, if you find yourself contemplating this, here is our guide on how to choose a learning experience platform in 2024.

What is an LXP?

LXPs first came to the fore around 2013 on the back of a growing perception that learning management systems (LMS) had some flaws.

Essentially, a learning experience platform (LXP) is an Artificial Intelligence platform that drives peer learning via a software service.

Typically, learning management systems are designed to meet the needs of the learning and development department via the delivery of training centred around education, policies and compliance. By contrast, an LXP turns this model around to focus on the needs of the employees.

As it is a platform that is designed around intuitive learning and development, LXP enables employees to not only answer pertinent business questions but also identify and facilitate additional professional development opportunities.

The term ‘learning experience platform’ was coined by Josh Bersin, who is an eminent industry analyst. Ultimately, it represents a significant shift from the management-administered top-down style that defined LMS to a more self-directed, autonomous and bottom-up approach to training and learning.

What are the main differences between LXP and LMS?

Both LMS and LXP can be effective workplace tools to assist with employee learning. We’ve written an extensive post about the difference between both here.

However, while an LMS provides everyone with a base amount of knowledge, an LXP goes a step further by differentiating between each employee to identify material that syncs with their current skills.

Fundamentally, the main difference between the two amounts to control and administration. Overall, an LMS concentrates more on how the learning experience is administered, while an LXP centres around the capability of facilitating training or learning that is more personalised.

Moreover, an LMS is based on the concept that admins can assign and monitor training content that is highly structured in nature. In contrast, as a more consumer-focused platform, users of an LXP can choose how they learn from numerous sources of very personalised content.

What should you look for in an LXP?

When it comes to choosing the best LXP for your company, there are several things you should look out for.

Firstly, it must have an intuitive and visually appealing design, as this will enable your learners to maximise their experience of using it.

Additionally, it should also provide your company with access to guaranteed world-class content that will keep your staff engaged and motivated. If the content library covers all aspects of business, including training in finance, data analytics, courses in leadership, and health and safety, then all the better.

Check to see which content partners an LXP has teamed up with and establish how current and relevant their information will be. While AI-driven recommendations can provide your employees with the specific content they need to provide a personalised experience, it can only do this if such content is there in the first place.

Another thing to look out for is the LXP’s capability to provide you with analytics and insights. Some of the best ones can highlight specific data about content consumption to managers. These include charts, dashboards and graphs that showcase at-a-glance insights and create detailed reports about everything from employee happiness to performance.

Lastly, as we now live in a time when the consumption of information often takes place on the go, it is important to make sure your LXP is mobile friendly, as this will enable staff to access assessments and content wherever they are.

How to choose an LXP

We hope you have found this guide to choosing a learning experience platform a helpful resource in your search.

At the end of the day, you need to settle upon a robust system that offers as wide a range of the features we’ve outlined above as possible.

Should you be successful, you can rest assured that your company will have at its disposal an excellent tool for driving increased business success through the making of better decisions and improved employee knowledge bases.

When it comes to choosing one, it is a good idea to do your due diligence. Make sure you read industry publications, and Google User reviews about the platform. If you are still undecided, don’t be afraid to ask us for a demo or a referral for a company that is currently using it with great success. It is also a good idea to talk to others in online forums.

Lastly, don’t base your final decision on cost alone. While it might be tempting to save a few hundred pounds, an inferior LXP could significantly hamstring your attempts to gain a competitive advantage.

Takeaway

It’s fair to say that a learning experience platform is just as crucial today as it was when it was launched around 2013, maybe even more. However, it is also true that the criteria for picking one have significantly changed.

While the user experience you get from traditional corporate learning platforms might be seen as stale or outdated, in its current form, LXPs deliver a contemporary service that is more in line with what you would expect from popular multimedia and social networking sites.

At the same time, it has a consumer-grade appearance and provides the user with mobile device experiences that are fully functional and accessed through responsive mobile apps and design.

Subsequently, when you’re searching for an LXP that will best fit the needs of your company in 2024, just remember that it is a powerful tool that is not only integral to better business outcomes but also more effective learning ecosystems.

So, make sure you see the bigger picture and invest accordingly to improve your overall employees’ learning performance.

FAQs

Here are some answers to questions that are frequently asked about learning experience platforms.

What is a Learning Experience Platform?

Often abbreviated to (LXP), a learning experience platform is an AI-driven peer learning platform that is delivered through a software-based service. They were developed as an alternative to learning management systems (LMS), which were perceived to have certain shortcomings.

What are the main differences between LXP and LMS?

Both LXPs and LMSs are good tools to use in the workplace to improve the act of employee learning.

However, while an LMS is good at cataloguing formal educational content, LXPs can also share user-generated materials and personalise the overall learning journey.

Which is better, LXP or LMS?

The answer to this question will depend on what your company’s requirements are for learning.

LMS is a terrific choice for those wanting strict instructor control over a structured type of learning with objectives that are clearly defined.

That said, if you are after a platform that provides you with complete autonomy, then LXPs are the way to go.

The best way to establish this is to talk to the provider of each platform and clearly ascertain what your goals, objectives and needs are.