What Are the Differences Between an LMS and an LXP?

An LMS (Learning Management System) and LXP (Learning Experience Platform) are both tools for organizations that allow them to deliver learning and development materials.

However, they operate in different ways and are suited to different types of organizations.

The value that these platforms can provide is huge. Businesses are realizing this and finding that choosing either an LMS or LXP can make a big difference in outcomes such as organizational compliance or staff engagement and growth.

It’s important that organizations carefully consider the options before making a choice.

LMS = TV and LXP = YouTube

The easiest way to explain the difference between an LMS and an LXP is how the information is structured. An LMS is more like an old-fashioned TV channel; the content is set, and you can’t deviate from it.

You’ll watch Antiques Roadshow, some reality TV show, and you don’t have a say in it.

An LXP is more like YouTube. You can pick and choose what you want to watch. There are categories you can choose from, and the platform will suggest what might interest you, based on your previous watching.

You can start, stop, and shelve things as you realize they aren’t what you want right now. You can upload and add your own content too.

What Are the Goals of LMS vs LXPs?

An LMS is more about compliance and targeted education. Learners are given tasks and courses to complete based on their roles at work. It’s very prescriptive, and there is generally some sort of assessment at the end. 

For the employer, this is about tracking who has completed what modules. Has the employee passed the minimum standard? Have they understood the new legislation or business process?

Do they know how to implement this in their everyday role, and is the team considered compliant with the new goals or outcomes?

The LXP is more about the growth of the individual. It’s not about simply ticking a box, but about helping the learner be better at their job or providing more information so they can expand their role.

The modules are self-selected, and the system can generate suggestions, but overall it’s not prescriptive.

Consider it a micro-learning platform, filled with a broad array of content than spans every aspect and offshoot of the organization.

Who Is in Control of Content?

In LMS, it’s all top-down: the learning and development team and management decide who completes which content. They create and set up modules and learning pathways.

Users are allocated content and assessments based on their roles. The content is created by the L&D team and will be formal and structured.

In an LXP, it’s all bottom-up education, with users picking and choosing courses as they see fit. They are offered categories and options through AI, but it’s up to them what they decide to complete.

Learners can search for what they want. Over time, their feed becomes personalized to suit their interests. Users can also create their own content either by procuring it externally or by creating their own.

It’s democratic, agile, and flexible.

What Kind of Content Do LMSs or LXPs Have?

LMSs are your typical learning and development program. It has things like induction training courses and regulatory presentations.

For example, users might follow a module where they read a new piece of information and then must complete a multiple-choice format quiz, ensuring they’ve absorbed and understood the content.

There could be videos uploaded that are mandatory to watch—no option to skip through the boring bits. It’s rigid, and rightfully so considering the goals of the LMS.

An LXP is a place where all types of content are available. Videos, webinars, PDFs, articles, and quizzes are all commonplace. If it’s on a computer, it can be on an LXP.

What Data Originates From the LMS or LXP?

A good LMS will track some basic data. Things like which assessments learners have completed, their scores, and drop-off rates.

This can be helpful in a basic sense of ascertaining who has completed training to a required standard, and who has not- great for compliance.

LXPs collect a lot more data and provide more uses for that data. These systems can provide data about which modules or information are engaging and accessed frequently.

However, it also draws information about other things like mobile vs desktop usage or assessing if learning is working by matching it to real-world performance.

LXPs track every data point from the beginning to the end of a process, integrating external information in order to provide more holistic and helpful insights for an organization.

Will a LMS or LXP Upskill or Upgrade?

LMSs should be viewed as more of a tick-box exercise. New legislation requires new learning in order for the organization to stay compliant.

It’s about administration, regulatory compliance, and ensuring everyone follows the same internal protocols and processes. 

An LXP is about upskilling or reskilling as desired. If a learner thinks understanding a process will help them to do their job better, that’s where an LXP steps in.

An employee gets stuck down a rabbit hole of learning and learns more skills that inadvertently help them to do their job better. Also an LXP. 

Social Learning via an LXP

Research shows that social learning is far more effective than learning in isolation. LMSs don’t offer any of this functionality. They are stand-alone, with no aspects of social learning at all.

LXPs are beginning to create this functionality and bring it into organizations.

Users can do things like share their opinions on content, distribute information, and interact with other learners throughout the organization.

LXPs are increasingly offering users the ability to create their own dashboards and profile pages. This helps with creating a sense of ownership and results in a boost of engagement.

Which Is Better: LMS or LXP?

The answer is: it depends. If your organization is a government one that requires compliance and has frequent legislative changes and updates, then an LMS is better.

If you’re an innovative organization with a desire to empower and grow your employees, an LXP gives you the freedom and flexibility required.

If your organization wants more than just tick-boxing, an LXP is where you need to look. Now, you just have to find the perfect one that fits your fast-paced, diverse, and growing organization.