A learning experience platform (LXP) is a digital learning solution designed to deliver personalized, learner-centered experiences.
Unlike a traditional learning management system (LMS), which is often focused on top-down, compliance-based training, an LXP empowers users to explore, curate, and engage with learning content in ways that fit their individual needs and goals.
So, what does that mean exactly? Let’s go further into the defining features of an LXP.
Key features of an LXP
LXPs come with a host of useful features that make learning more flexible, engaging, and personal. Here's the breakdown:
1. Personalized content recommendations
LXPs provide intelligent content recommendations based on a user’s past learning activities, interests, and career goals. By curating content in this way, an LXP ensures that employees focus on resources directly aligned with their professional development needs without feeling overwhelmed by irrelevant materials.
For example, the GoSkills AI course recommender personalizes the learning journey by suggesting courses that fit each learner’s desired career path, skill development, and specific role-based needs, making learning focused and efficient.
Imagine an employee preparing for a project management role—they might receive a recommended path that includes content on leadership, agile methodologies, and budget management, based on the skills commonly needed for that role.
2. Diverse content aggregated from multiple platforms
LXPs integrate resources from a variety of sources, such as third-party learning providers, internal content libraries, and user-generated content. This aggregation ensures employees have a wide selection of materials to suit diverse learning styles and objectives.
An employee who learns best through video can easily find video lessons, while others who prefer reading or interactive quizzes can quickly access resources that match their preferred format. The variety of options makes learning more adaptable, and allows all learners to engage in a way that resonates with them.
3. Emphasis on user-generated content and social learning
LXPs encourage collaboration by enabling employees to create, share, and discuss content within the platform. Features like discussion boards, peer recommendations, and social tools foster a community-based learning environment where employees actively participate in one another’s growth. This builds a culture of knowledge-sharing that benefits the organization as a whole.
For example, a team might use our course builder to create a video tutorial using on a new software tool or contribute to a Q&A forum about best practices. Peer contributions become learning assets, making the LXP not only a tool for personal growth but also a hub for collective expertise.
4. Gamification for enhanced engagement
Gamification features in an LXP transform learning into a more interactive and rewarding experience. By incorporating elements like points, badges, and leaderboards, LXPs encourage employees to set goals, track progress, and celebrate achievements, making learning both engaging and motivating.
For example, GoSkills incorporates gamification by awarding badges and certificates as employees complete courses, allowing them to visually track their accomplishments and encouraging them to reach the next milestone. Leaderboards foster friendly competition, where employees can see how they rank among peers, boosting motivation and encouraging consistent participation.
Imagine an employee working toward mastering data analytics. As they complete modules and gain skills, they earn badges and level up, with their progress recognized in the platform’s leaderboard. This gamified approach adds an element of fun and accomplishment to learning, making it feel less like a requirement and more like a journey toward personal and professional growth.
5. Short, digestible lessons available on-demand
Recognizing that employees have busy schedules, LXPs emphasize short, easily consumable content that can be accessed anytime, making it simple to fit learning into even the most packed workdays. Employees can take advantage of quick, 5-10 minute lessons that provide valuable insights or skills without requiring a large time commitment.
For instance, an LXP might offer bite-sized lessons on effective communication or problem-solving techniques, allowing an employee to learn during their commute. This approach to learning reduces cognitive load and helps employees steadily build knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.
6. Mobile-friendly training that can be accessed anywhere
Modern LXPs are designed to support learning anytime, anywhere. With mobile-friendly interfaces, employees can access learning content seamlessly across devices, whether they’re in the office, working from home, or on the go. This flexibility is particularly valuable for remote teams or employees who travel frequently, since they can engage with courses, videos, and discussions wherever they are.
Consider a sales representative who travels frequently—they can easily access training videos on negotiation techniques or industry trends between meetings or while traveling. The flexibility to learn on their own time and device makes continuous learning not only possible, but convenient.
Learn more: The 20 Best Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) Compared
LXP vs LMS: What's the difference?
Both LXPs and LMSs serve as tools for employee training, but they take very different approaches to learning.
LMSs are designed primarily to manage and administer courses. They focus on compliance, tracking progress, and organizing learning resources in a structured way. Think of an LMS as the administrative backbone of online training—ideal for ensuring employees complete required courses on time.
LXPs put the learner at the center to create an engaging, personalized experience. Unlike LMSs, which distribute specific content to learners, LXPs use AI to recommend content that matches individual learning preferences, interests, and career goals — like Netflix, for training. They also offer a wide variety of learning formats and materials, including videos, articles, and even user-generated content.
LXPs use AI to recommend content that matches individual learning preferences, interests, and career goals — like Netflix, for training.
Why choose an LXP over an LMS, or vice versa?
Choosing the right platform for your organization is both an art and a science, and full dependent on your unique priorities. Here are some guidelines to suss out the best choice for your goals:
Use an LMS if you need a centralized system to manage training, track completion, and ensure compliance.
LMSs are reliable for structured, administrative learning management, which is particularly useful for regulatory training or formal certifications. They're well-suited for situations where consistency and compliance are key priorities, providing a straightforward way to deliver and track mandatory learning.
Use an LXP if your goal is to boost employee engagement and provide a more flexible, personalized experience.
AI recommended content ensures that training is relevant and aligned with their career development goals, so they can develop skills that are meaningful to both their personal growth and the company's evolving needs. LXPs also incorporate social and community learning elements, like peer recommendations and discussion forums, which create a collaborative learning culture.
Consider a hybrid model if you want the best of both worlds.
A hybrid approach combines the structured features of an LMS—like compliance tracking and course management—with the learner-centered, engaging aspects of an LXP. This flexibility allows companies to maintain control over formal learning while also fostering an environment of continuous, personalized development. With a hybrid model, you can easily manage mandatory training while simultaneously encouraging employees to explore, grow, and acquire new skills at their own pace.
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