7 Things you need to know about LRS (Learning Record Store)

LRS is an enabling technology that allows organizations to collect people’s learning experiences from a variety of sources. Companies all over the world use it to gather data that can be used to study the relationship between experience and outcomes, and thus improve results.

What is LRS?

A Learning Record Store (LRS) is a data store system that can be used to receive, store and return learning records. The data is created as a result of some form of learning experience that takes place in other systems or processes that support the xAPI (Experience Application Performing Interface), formerly known as the Tin Can API.

The format xAPI uses to record learning experiences is extremely flexible, which means the source of data can come from a mobile app, the intranet, or even an offline experience.

How is it different from LMS?

While the core focus of both LRS and LMS is to record learning, an LRS is not the same thing as an LMS, nor does it replace it. Instead, it enhances current learning ecosystems by looking at all learning, and not only what happens inside the LMS.

LRS services can be stand-alone systems, but they can also be incorporated into an LMS. In this instance, data from the LRS can be used by the LMS for reporting and analytics purposes.

What can it be used for?

An LRS offers organizations a way to study the relationship between experiences and outcomes, whether that is customer satisfaction, engagement, better safety records, more sales or increased productivity.

Organizations can use learners’ performance data, such as training session completions, social learning outcomes, and employee test scores to track progress, as well as the value of different learning experiences.

Who uses it?

LRS’s are utilized by a variety of different companies in all areas of industry, in the private, public and third-sector. Large businesses can use LRS to increase training engagement, and improve retention and performance.

Universities and other educational bodies can use LRS for things like improving course design and increasing student satisfaction, attainment, and retention.

Advantages

Learning experiences are offered across several different platforms, including websites, apps, and LMS. Of course, they don’t just take place in formal learning environments. An LRS allows you to collect data from different sources, both online and offline.

It offers the capability to create very detailed learning analytics, due to the vast amount of data it can record and store. The great thing about this system is that it is extremely adaptable, and thus can be used in a variety of industries from manufacturing, to education, healthcare and IT.

You can use it to track activities beyond the boundaries of learning through the use of xAPI. Not only can you use the data collected to understand what leads top performers in a business to be the top performers, but you can also use it to improve learning design and personalize learning experiences.

Disadvantages

Currently, an LRS is not a full-on replacement for an LMS. That means companies should hold off on leaving behind their LMS, as there are several things it can do that an LRS can’t.

Administrative tasks, such as overseeing student profiles, maintaining course catalogues, and scheduling classes are not yet provided by an LRS system.

Choosing an LRS

There’s a full variety of commercial and open source LRSs available to choose from. When it comes to selecting one for your organization, there are a variety of factors you should consider, such as features, user interface and experience, support, security and reliability, the level of expertise required, and cost and pricing models.

Learning Locker is an open source LRS that offers several features and benefits. It is the most installed LRS in the world and is used by several large organizations across a variety of industries. It allows you to create more engaging experiences for your learners, personalize e-learning, and better understand where strengths and weaknesses lie in the business.

Using these types of LRS is precisely what can lead to things like lower staff turnover, higher levels of morale, and improve impact on performance.

Tags:eLearnig, eLearning trends, LMS, LRS, xAPI