Learning Platforms

Having worked in adult learning for 20 years, I have never met a learning management system (LMS) that filled me with joy, and I have given a lot of thought to how I would do things differently. The biggest thing is that I want to ditch traditional LMSs altogether and move to learning experience platfoms (LXPs). A world-class learning experience platform (LXP) that embodies andragogical principles and human-centered design would have the following key architectural components:

1. Learner-Centered Foundation

This platform prioritizes personalized learning pathways, self-direction, and skills-based frameworks. Everything in the platform revolves around and connects back to the learner's needs and goals.

  • Personalized Learning Pathways: Adaptive algorithms that create custom learning journeys based on individual needs, prior knowledge, and career goals

  • Self-Direction Controls: Interfaces that support learner autonomy while providing appropriate scaffolding

  • Skills-Based Framework: Organization around competencies rather than just content

2. Experience Layer

The learner’s experience encompasses multimodal content delivery, social learning spaces, and contextual tools that create engaging learning experiences.

  • Multimodal Learning: Integration of text, video, audio, interactive simulations, and hands-on practice

  • Social Learning Hub: Collaborative spaces, communities of practice, and peer learning mechanisms

  • Contextual Learning Tools: Just-in-time resources that connect to real-world application

  • Microlearning Components: Bite-sized modules that fit into busy professional schedules

3. Intelligence Core

The back end houses the analytics, AI recommendations, and feedback systems that make the platform adaptive and responsive.

  • Learning Analytics Engine: Captures meaningful data on engagement, comprehension, and application

  • AI-Powered Recommendations: Suggests relevant content and interventions based on performance and goals

  • Feedback Loops: Continuous assessment mechanisms that inform both learners and system improvement

4. Integration Framework

This platform is connected to external systems, workflows, and content sources through API architecture.

  • API-First Architecture: Open architecture enabling seamless integration with other enterprise systems

  • Workflow Integration: Embedding learning moments within actual work processes, and making performance-based learning recommendations in the LXP

  • Content Ecosystem: Connection to diverse content sources including curated external resources

5. Human Support System

Learners are supported by live facilitation, community management, and coaching to provide the human element critical to effective adult learning.

  • Facilitation Layer: Tools for instructors, mentors, and coaches to provide human guidance

  • Community Management: Structures to nurture learning communities and peer support networks

Design Principles

The values that inform every aspect of the platform's structure and functionality are:

  • Relevance: All learning connects directly to meaningful outcomes and real-world application.

  • Agency: Learners maintain control of their learning journey.

  • Reflection: Built-in mechanisms for processing experiences and consolidating knowledge.

  • Psychological Safety: Design that encourages experimentation and views failure as learning.

  • Accessibility: Universal design principles ensuring equitable access for all learners.