Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of learning tech trends come and go — but one thing has stayed the same: most Learning Management Systems (LMSs) still try to keep everything inside their own little box. The problem? Learning doesn’t only happen in the LMS any more. It happens on the job, during conversations, in simulations, and even while scrolling through a mobile app at lunch.
That’s where xAPI and the Total Learning Architecture (TLA) come in. If you saw my recent post on LinkedIn where I am presenting at the Learning Impact Summit, you’ll know I’ve been banging the drum about decentralised learning. And it’s resonating.
Let’s unpack what’s really happening when we move beyond the LMS.
The Limits of a Traditional LMS
LMSs are great at delivering structured learning — courses, quizzes, certificates. But they fall short when it comes to tracking learning or assessment that happens outside of that environment. Watching a YouTube tutorial? Coaching session with a supervisor? Reading a PDF on your phone? None of that gets picked up in a standard LMS setup.
And because we’re only seeing part of the picture, we’re making decisions based on incomplete data. That’s not good for learners, and it’s definitely not good for learning designers or organisations trying to prove the impact of their training.
What xAPI and TLA Actually Do
xAPI (Experience API) changes the game. Instead of locking learning data inside an LMS, xAPI tracks learning activities from anywhere — mobile apps, VR, discussions, workplace systems, and more. It captures all of that in the form of statements — who did what, where, when, and how.
TLA (Total Learning Architecture) takes that even further. It’s a model developed by ADL that lets different systems talk to each other and share learning data. It’s like a learning ecosystem with the LRS (Learning Record Store) at the centre.
Together, xAPI and TLA give us a way to create decentralised, connected learning environments that reflect how people actually learn in the real world.
What It Looks Like in Practice
At the Learning Impact Summit, I will be talking about using xAPI and TLA with RTOs, community colleges and industry providers to build a more complete picture of learner engagement and outcomes.
Here’s what it looks like in action:
- Tracking informal learning: Coaching sessions, on-the-job performance, conversations — all tracked, not lost.
- Better personalisation: xAPI data helps us see what’s working and what’s not, so we can adapt learning to suit each person.
- Smarter assessments: Not just completion data, but indicators of effort, attention, and behaviour. Are they rewinding a video section multiple times? That tells us something important.
And yes — this data also gives you something real to talk about when the manager asks, “How do we know it’s working?”
Getting Started with xAPI and TLA
You don’t need to throw your LMS out the window — just rethink its role.
Here’s a simple roadmap to start decentralising your learning:
- Map your current ecosystem: Where is learning happening now, and where are the gaps?
- Install an LRS: This becomes your learning data hub. (We use Learning Locker and Veracity, but there are lots of great options.)
- Connect tools with xAPI: That might be Moodle with the xAPI Logstore plugin, or standalone tools like Remote Reviewer.
- Start capturing and analysing: Run a pilot, pull in real data, and use it to inform decisions.
The trick is to start small, prove the value, then scale.
Decentralised learning isn’t about ditching your LMS — it’s about expanding your learning footprint.
We’ve got the tools. We’ve got the standards. And we’ve got a chance to finally capture the full richness of how people learn — not just in courses, but in conversations, experiences, and challenges.
If you’re keen to know how this could work in your organisation, feel free to reach out or check out xapi.com.au or come along to the Learning Impact Summit in September 2025
Let’s rethink what’s possible and stay curious.