It’s no secret that the way we learn has changed. It’s time our learning systems caught up.
As part of the upcoming ILP Asia Pacific Learning Impact Summit, I’ll be presenting on a topic that has become the cornerstone of my work: decentralised learning powered by xAPI and the Total Learning Architecture (TLA), which I have been writing about on xapi.com.au.
Why decentralised learning? Because learning doesn’t just happen in an LMS. It happens in conversations, through experience, in virtual environments, and across the apps, platforms, and systems that people actually use. Yet most learning systems still try to corral everything into a single silo.
And that’s not really working anymore.
What’s the Problem?
Traditional LMSs and rigid compliance-based platforms force learners (and L&D teams for that matter) into linear workflows that don’t reflect how people actually grow and develop. Worse still, the data is locked away — fragmented or invisible — making it hard to track real progress, engagement, or impact.
For organisations that need to show value, adapt quickly, and personalise learning, this centralised model falls short.
Enter xAPI and TLA
xAPI (Experience API) breaks open the walls. It allows learning experiences to be tracked wherever they happen, not just inside an LMS. That might be a VR simulation, a coaching session, a piece of equipment, or even a conversation captured via voice.
TLA (Total Learning Architecture), developed by ADL, adds the structure to make this work at scale. Think of it like plumbing for learning — securely connecting all the pieces so that identity, content, performance, and analytics can flow across an organisation or even across providers.
Together, xAPI and TLA enable a decentralised learning ecosystem — where providers, tools, and technologies can plug in, share data (with consent), and build a more meaningful, responsive picture of learning.
What Will I Be Sharing?
In my session at the Summit, I’ll unpack:
- The case for decentralisation: Why now, and what’s broken in current systems
- How xAPI fits in: From tracking real-world activity to unlocking new data streams
- The role of TLA: Connecting identity, access, and data across ecosystems
- Real examples: Including VR-based training, remote assessment, and multi-provider learning
- What this means for you: Whether you’re a learning designer, tech provider, or decision-maker
This isn’t just theory. I’ll be looking at ways in which this could be implemented
Why It Matters
Decentralisation isn’t about removing structure — it’s about building the right structure for a world where learning happens everywhere. When done well, it means:
- Better learner insights
- Less duplication
- More flexibility
- Greater data ownership
Most importantly, it puts the learner at the centre — not the system.
If you’re attending the ILP Learning Impact Summit, I’d love to see you at the session. And if you’re curious about what a decentralised learning architecture could look like in your world — let’s talk.
👉 See more at xapi.com.au
🗓️ Summit details: https://ilpasiapacific.com/summit
