LMS vs LXP: What’s The Difference?

If you’re new to the world of online learning, you might not know the difference between an LMS vs an LXP. Equally, if you’ve been using digital learning, or promoting it amongst your employees you may not be aware of the new learning technology that’s revolutionising the elearning space.We’re taking a look at the differences between LMS and LXP learning systems to determine which is right for your business.‍

What’s An LMS?An LMS system is the old, traditional way to learn online. LMS stands for Learning Management System, and that’s exactly what it does. It manages content that is uploaded to deliver online training. However, over the years, digital learning enthusiasts notices that whilst an LMS is good at presenting information, it’s a very administrator-led way of working.

This can be pretty demotivating for learners, who had no control over their digital learning, and found themselves taking training that didn’t move them any closer to their professional goals. Instead of teaching them the information they needed to stay at the top of their game, LMS’s presented a stagnant way of learning that didn’t move with the time. The industry needed a re-jig, as people demanded a more human-centric approach to digital learning.

‍And So The LXP Was Born…Learning Management System vs Learning Experience Platform

‍LXP stands for Learning Experience Platform, and offers a more holistic approach to digital learning. Here’s the difference between an LMS vs LXP system:

• Tailored Learning

Digital learning has always been useful for offering tailored learning to specific people, that they can carry out in their own time. However, LXPs are now taking that a step further by allowing the end user to choose what they learn.

Using AI and machine learning, LXPs are able to recommend content to learners that is in line with the current challenges that they face. It detects patterns that emerge by assessing data from people in similar industries, areas, and job roles to present the individual with the recommended content which they can then choose whether to consume.

• Social Learning

Another difference between LXP vs LMS is that an LXP will allow social learning fluidly, whereas an LMS is less flexible. An LMS is a closed system, whereas an LXP is very open. Any URL can be shared on the platform, and other individuals within your network can contribute content for you to consume.This broadens the reach of digital learning, and gives experts within your organisation the platform to share their knowledge. The social aspect of LXPs encourage students to be creators as well as consumers - an important lesson in the world of business.

• Impact Driven

Whilst LMSs are traditionally driven by a need to tick boxes, LXPs are driven by impact. They are all about making digital learning as engaging as possible, so that employees get the most out of their experience.In the past, elearning was seen as a way to get the boring training ticked off in a way that’s less time consuming.

Things like health and safety videos, employee on-boarding and company values were often relayed via digital learning. LMSs work just fine for this kind of thing, as all they need to do is present the information. However, LXPs have come into their own in the world of upskilling and training within business as they drive results and make a real impact.

• Broader Resources

The main goal of any LXP is to enable users to access any information that they may need to a particular topic. It works in line with company goals, professional goals and current trends to bring your people the very best content from across the globe.In allowing teams to co-create training, LXPs make it easy to share knowledge and access resources that would not be added on an LMS. With broader resources, your team will be able to close the gaps in their knowledge and become stronger together.

An AI powered learning platform should offer real time insight into the skills gaps within your team, so that they are aware of where they can improve as a collective. This, along with broader resources that the LXPs allow, allows them to make the most of their digital learning.