E-learning and LMS blog articles

The widespread adoption of digital learning solutions in recent years has allowed organisations to take advantage of a range of training methods and practices and move beyond the boundaries of traditional face-to-face training. Platforms such as learning management systems (LMSs) have enhanced the learning experience by empowering learners with effective training methods such as gamified and interactive simulation lessons. As more and more organisations embrace e-learning technology, many are exploring the benefits of implementing a learning experience platform (LXP) and the training methods that can be enhanced with its powerful technology – let’s explore this further.

What is an LXP?

A learning experience platform (LXP) is a user-centric e-learning platform that focuses on empowering users or learners by allowing them to contribute to the learning experience with user-generated content tools, content curation functionality, collaborative tools, and personalisation technology.

Looking for a full breakdown? Read our ultimate guide to LXPs here.

5 effective training methods that can be delivered with an LXP

Mentoring

Mentoring is the L&D process in which senior, more experienced employees share their knowledge with junior, less experienced employees over an ongoing period. Traditionally this training method occurred offline, perhaps taking place in scheduled one-to-one sessions or by a junior employee shadowing a senior employee for the day. With an LXP however, mentoring practices can be elevated by moving beyond the limitations of face-to-face sessions.

One example of how to facilitate effective mentoring practices is creating workspaces in an LXP. Mentors can be assigned the role of workspace owner meaning they can edit the workspace, add and remove content, along with adding or removing workspace members. This workspace can be private, limited to only those who have been invited, whether it be one mentor and one mentee or several mentees.

Workspaces allow mentors to share their knowledge with a targeted audience and collaborate with their mentees in an online setting. Within this workspace, mentees can ask questions and share their own documents and resources, allowing mentors to analyse their contributions and share their comments and insights. Using this functionality, organisations can create multiple, highly focused areas designed to elevate long-term mentoring practices without the need for scheduled, one-to-one offline sessions.

What's the difference between mentoring and coaching? Read our blog to find out.

Blended learning

Amongst the many effective training methods facilitated by e-learning tools, blended learning is one of the most popular. This method allows organisations to seamlessly combine offline and online/digital L&D practices to deliver an adaptable training strategy that allows learners to be more flexible. With an LXP, organisations can elevate their blended learning strategy by combining formal training activities, typically delivered via an LMS, with informal learning activities delivered via an LXP.

LXP users can access smaller, bite-sized chunks of informal training content that can be integrated into the flow of work, allowing them to access e-learning content and seamlessly blend it with offline activities.

When organisations deliver face-to-face L&D activities, such as a workshop or training seminar, they can use the collaborative and social tools within an LXP to serve as a continuation of what has been taught. Using these features, employees or learners can engage with one another, discussing what they were taught in the workshop and furthering the learning process.

Find out everything you need to know about blended learning by visiting our LMS functionality page.

Adaptive learning

An LXP allows L&D teams to deliver a highly personalised learning experience that addresses the unique needs and aspirations of each employee or learner. With an LXP such as Totara Engage, the recommendation engine can be used to build a learning profile for each user. Using individual learning profiles, each user will receive personalised recommendations based on criteria such as their interests, skills, and role. As a result, organisations can deliver training using the adaptive learning method, meaning the learning experience feels personal and relevant, resulting in higher engagement levels.

Additionally, comprehensive analytics tools in an LXP will automatically collate, collect, and store data and statistics on how users are engaging with the platform. With this data, L&D teams can identify the interests of each user, looking at patterns in behaviour and offering personalised support as a result.

Visit our Totara Engage product page to discover our powerful LXP.

Social learning

Peer-to-peer learning or social learning are highly effective training methods that encourage employees to engage with one another, share knowledge and collaborate. When carried out offline, L&D leaders may find it difficult to monitor or facilitate social learning in a way that ensures key topics are being discussed and vital skills are being shared. However, with an LXP, L&D teams can encourage social learning in an environment where activities and discussions are visible and quantifiable.

Using social learning features in an LXP, users can share tips, skills, and knowledge by creating their own content. Users can like, comment, rate, and share encouraging learners to play an active role in the learning experience and engage with one another through open conversations. With LXP integrations such as Teams, employees can enter live conversations and solve L&D problems in the flow of work. As a result, LXPs create a dynamic and interactive learning environment for all users, regardless of location – which is highly beneficial for remote teams.

Why choose Totara Engage over social media platforms for informal learning? Find out here.

SME knowledge sharing

The user-centric nature of LXPs allows organisations to empower their staff or learners by giving them a platform to share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences. This can be carried out informally, with users contributing content and ideas on an ad-hoc basis, or L&D teams can appoint subject matter experts (SMEs).

An SME is a person with specialised knowledge in a particular topic or area. This person may have accumulated knowledge through years of experience working in their field or higher education. Appointing SMEs in the workplace can produce many significant benefits as it encourages highly skilled and experienced employees to share their knowledge with less experienced employees, creating a highly skilled workforce as a result.

SMEs can share their knowledge by creating their own resources and sharing them on the LXP, with content ranging from articles to blogs or podcasts. SME knowledge sharing is particularly beneficial for soft skills development and specific role-based skills development as it requires SMEs to share their own experiences in their role, rather than relying on generic L&D content.

What are soft skills and how can you develop them with e-learning? Read our blog to find out.

Looking for a powerful LXP that can deliver these training methods and more?

If you’re ready to embrace the power of collaborative, social and informal L&D opportunities, you’ll need a robust LXP that delivers all the tools and functionality required to make your informal training strategy a success. Totara Engage is our feature rich LXP that offers everything you need to unite and empower your learners. Visit our product page here or if you’re ready to find out more about what a Hubken LXP solution could do for your organisation, book a demo with one of our in-house experts.