Do you think your current learning platforms are fit for the modern workforce?

Published in September 2024 and now in its tenth year, Fosway Group’s Digital Learning Realities research explores how L&D teams rise to the challenge of a fast-changing business environment and tech landscape – here Fosway analysts look at the reality of learning platform performance, and what learning leaders can do next.

L&D teams don’t think their learning platforms are fit for the modern workforce and the gap is widening

A stubborn majority of LMS and LXP buyers continue to be underwhelmed by their learning systems. When asked how good a fit their learning platforms are for the modern workforce and only four in ten agree.  And the bad news is that the gap between those who are positive and negative about the experience their solution provides is growing.

This year saw a significant leap in those reporting that their platforms weren’t fit for the modern workforce by 20%. The gap had closed during COVID, but with growing expectations about the role of AI in creating more personalised and individualised learning we seem to be seeing dissatisfaction growing with platforms grow too.

In the age of AI, learning platforms are failing to keep pace with inflated expectations

One striking part of this year’s survey is the scale of expectations placed on learning management systems (LMS) and learning experience platforms (LXP) for AI innovation. When L&D teams compare what they expect to see and what they are getting – a whopping 69% are disappointed.

Thinking about this in terms of the ‘hype cycle’, we seem to have entered the period of ‘inflated expectations’. That time when the hype and perceived opportunities are at their highest, but those expectations aren’t being played out in the systems or people experience every day.  The scale of disappointment is palpable.

In other HR technologies, the adoption of AI has often been driven most dramatically by new entrants to the market, before innovations become mainstream. We may see the same pattern in learning systems, but with the exception of adaptive learning, those innovators don’t seem to be there to disrupt incumbent solutions. Learning is proving a harder nut to crack and the point of innovation beyond the reach of many new solutions.

This is an excerpt from Digital Learning Realities 2024. Get the full insight and discover the most common challenges experienced by today’s learning leaders by downloading all five infographics.

What should you do next?

• Sign up to be part of Digital Learning Realities 2025 – ignore the hype and be part of the reality of modern digital learning. Share your experiences in this year’s research cycle here.
• How will AI affect the next generation of learning platforms? Take part in Fosway’s strategic AI project for 2025: ‘AI in Learning’.

Other recommended reading

• Ask the Analyst: Fosway 9-Grid™ report for Digital Learning. You’ve poured over the pivotal insights —now it’s time to hear from the lead analysts.
• The 2024 Fosway 9-Grid^TM for Learning Systems– full report which looks at market and solution trends in learning systems – which ones fit your purpose?
• Buying a learning system? We can help.

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