Many organizations and small businesses are still wrapping their heads around the benefits of e-learning and learning management systems. It is understandable that many are not even sure what xAPI means, let alone why they should be using it in conjunction with their current LMS.
Experience API, or xAPI, is the software specification that is letting one learning management system “speak with” other software. Whether it is with a database or other LMS, the two-way communication aspect is what makes it so special. And that is why it has become the new standard for the industry, following a decade of using the effective but limited SCORM.
Data Sharing
With experience API, the amount and type of data that can be shared is endless, while so much data is received from other tools that are being used around the e-learning structure. Everyone benefits from this sharing. Learners can provide suggestions, directly or indirectly, about what content is working and what content may not be so effective. Companies in different industries can analyze the results they are getting in employee training and education through their current learning management system.
Better Understand Learning
The major benefit of xAPI is how an organization or business can now fully understand how learning is taking place through the LMS, and how that learning is impacting the business. Every aspect of the learning journey is now trackable and analyzed. For instance, a company can see how quickly an employee completed certain courses, and they can correlate that course completion with any improvements or issues with the employee’s performance at work.
More Efficient Learning
The goal of any learning system setup is to achieve more consistent and efficient learning. With the tracking and analysis capabilities of xAPI, businesses now have a much clearer picture of what is working, and what needs improvement. If they notice that all employees are struggling with a particular course, and they are not improving at that area of their job either, it is clear that section of the learning management system is not functioning as it should.
System Integration
Being able to integrate the learning management system with a database, or integrate two LMS with each other, is so useful. With xAPI, it is even possible to deliver learning and training content to employees or customers through apps and websites – without the need for them to log into any LMS interface. That gives companies so much more flexibility in how they can structure and leverage e-learning content.
