Learning Management Systems have been an integral part of the eLearning ecosystem. Over the years several tech companies have come up with their own version of the LMS and touted their version to be the best. As workplace learning transitions to full-scale mobile and app-based learning, the mode of delivery is slated to gradually change from LMS to LXP.

In this blog post, we look at both the LMS and the LXP and see why it is inevitable that in the next few years the transition from LMS to LXP will become a mandate for L&D.

Benefits of Using an LMS

Let’s look at some of the generic key advantages and benefits of the modern LMS that have made it instrumental in the growth of eLearning.

• Unified portal for all training and learning activities
• Ability to support multiple content formats
• Support for different languages
• SCORM and AICC compliance for smooth delivery of eLearning
• Support for blended learning, instructor-led training, and self-paced learning
• Rich data for learning administrators to analyze and aid in decision-making
• Mobile version of the LMS for ‘on-the-go learning’

Disadvantages of Using an LMS

• Technical issues when migrating from one LMS to another
• Poor design and interface leading to a bad learner experience
• Dependency on high-speed internet for optimal performance
• Poor tracking of learner usage
• Limited functions for learning administrators
• No tracking of informal learning
• Synchronization issues with existing CRM tools and intranets
• Incomplete learner experience on the mobile version of the LMS

The next section will offer more insights on how modern learning management systems work.

Modern Learning Management Systems and the Transition from LMS to LXP

Modern learning management systems in vogue whether they be open source or paid premium tools have one major limitation. They are not able to track the interactions that a learner has outside the core LMS. To explain this, imagine a scenario, Rita has signed up for an eLearning program on ‘Understanding Routers’. She signs into the corporate LMS with her log-in credentials and takes up the eLearning program. During the program, she comes across a specific term that piques her interest. She minimizes the LMS browser window, opens Google, and keys in the term to learn more about it. Now this action takes outside the core LMS but is still relevant to the training program, so how does one track this action? This is where a traditional LMS fails and we need to have an xAPI-based learning system or LXP that can track such informal learning activities. As the focus shifts on learner analytics, organizations should be prepared for the transition from LMS to LXP.

xAPI – A Quick Refresher

xAPI or Experience API is the outcome of Project TinCan that started in 2010. It was originally a research project that was awarded to Rustici Software by ADL. xAPI’s remarkable growth and evolution as an eLearning specification is truly heralding a transformation in the way eLearning is being created and deployed globally. Traditional learning management systems can only capture details of learner-activities within the LMS. xAPI is an eLearning specification that makes it possible to collect data about the wide range of experiences a person has within online and offline training activities. xAPI’s use of a shared format for receiving and sending data makes xAPI an ideal tool for sharing learning between multiple systems.

To summarize, xAPI enables learning administrators to track offline learning or learning that the learner participates in outside the core LMS/learning platform.

In an earlier blog post on the Origin Learning blog, we have covered the role of xAPI in modern eLearning solutions in detail.

LMS to LXP – Why LXP is the New Buzzword in eLearning?

We have observed the phenomenal growth of eLearning being consumed on smaller screens, the rise of the smartphone and tablet devices continues. This in turn has also accelerated the growth of mobile learning apps as a viable option, instead of a scaled-down mobile responsive website. As organizations look to streamline their L&D projects, offer their customers and employees 24/7 learning options, and track both formal and informal learning, the transition from LMS to LXP is inevitable.

Janet Clarey, Lead Advisor, Technology, Analytics, and Learning at Bersin by Deloitte offers the following definition for LXPs:

“LXPs are single-point-of-access, consumer-grade systems composed of integrated technologies for enabling learning. They can do many tasks, such as curating and aggregating content, creating learning and career pathways, enabling networking, enhancing skill development, and tracking learning activities delivered via multiple channels and content partners. By delivering on a central platform, LXPs enable businesses to provide an engaging and learning-rich experience and may lessen their reliance on an LMS or talent suite as the learning hub.”

The LMS will continue to stay relevant but there’s an urgent need to fill a vacuum that the LMS does not meet. Here’s where tech-companies have invested a fair deal of money to come up with new-age learning platforms, commonly referred to as ‘LXPs’.

Differences Between LMS and LXP

Why a Shift from LMS to LXP?

In the previous section, we listed down the key differences between an LMS and an LXP. Here’s how LXPs are filling the gaps where an LMS does not meet organizational requirements.

LXPs are designed to offer support for all existing learning content formats. Ideally hosted on the cloud and offered on a SaaS model, LXPs help organizations save on costs. Traditional learning management systems do not have the ability to track informal learning. LXPs help in tracking informal learning, which is a key requirement to garner completer learner analytics data. LXPs are more flexible in terms of design, customization, and integration with existing systems like ERP tools and CRMs.

Modern business dictates that the needs of the customers and end-users are addressed first and fast to ensure that revenue streams are not impacted. Across the world across industries, the median-age of product-users is decreasing. The workforce is now being bolstered by the presence of millennials and it is important to train them to help them perform their tasks with ease. The millennial workforce and customer-base prefer to use their smartphones to access learning content rather than sit in a classroom and attend a training session. LXPs with a mobile-first philosophy can really help businesses take advantage of ‘screen addiction syndrome’ and ‘dropping attention spans’. Hence it is evident that organizations should invest in migrating from LMS to LXP as their eLearning delivery medium.

Do you Use a Learning Experience Platform?

Do you use a Learning Experience Platform? If yes, does your LXP offer:

• A mobile-first experience
• A consumer-grade learner experience
• The ability to scale as per your users
• An in-built marketplace to monetize your training
• Secure hosting on the cloud
• Support for different content-types
• Voice-enabled navigation

Introducing Origin Fractal LXP – A Refreshing New Way to Learn

Origin Fractal is a robust, mobile-first, cloud-based learning experience platform designed specifically for extended enterprise learning and customer education. Origin Fractal LXP is the result of serious R&D from our technical team and designed with core philosophy of ‘Keep Learning’. Most learning platforms in the market position the learning administrator/organization at the center of the learning process. We believe in empowering the learner to make conscious learning choices and have designed Origin Fractal LXP by placing the learner at the center of the learning ecosystem.

Origin Fractal is Designed for

• Learners to experience evidence-based learning
• Enterprises to train everyone with ease
• Domain-experts and training organizations to set up their own learning portals

Here’s what Makes Origin Fractal LXP the Perfect Learning Solution

• Mobile-first design philosophy
• Native iOS and Android apps
• Support for microlearning and videos
• Secure hosting on AWS
• Scale easily as your learners increase
• Marketplace-ready platform to monetize training
• Voice-enabled navigation
• Multi-format content support

If you are still wondering if you wish to transition from LMS to LXP and if you should consider Origin Fractal, here’s some added information. Our technology team is committed to add a lot of features to make Origin Fractal LXP a truly fascinating tool to acquire knowledge. Some of the key features planned in the product roadmap include – xAPI and TinCan support, context-specific help, integration with web-conferencing tools like GTM and Webex, and much more. Our mission is to democratize eLearning, free the learner from the clutches of the LMS, and make eLearning as accessible and engaging as possible.

Would you be interested in trying out Origin Fractal LXP? For an unconditional, limited period, trial offer to explore Origin Fractal, please fill this form. Our representatives will contact you with additional information.

Come experience Origin Fractal today!