Engagement in digital learning doesn’t fail because people lack motivation. It fails because learning is often designed to be completed, not used. This article explores what actually drives engagement in practice, and why intentional social design, meaningful feedback, and modular content are key to learning that improves performance over time.
The LMS market isn’t moving through neat, linear eras. Different organisations operate at very different levels of maturity at the same time. This creates tension between vendors and buyers, especially when expectations don’t align. The vendors that succeed are those who design for layered maturity and guide customers forward without leaving anyone behind.
The LMS industry isn’t standing still. It’s cycling through overlapping “strategic eras” that shape how learning platforms evolve. Borrowing from Alex Smith’s framework, this article explores how supply, performance, democratisation, specialisation, and redefinition show up in L&D today. Understanding these eras helps us see where the industry is headed next and what truly meaningful progress looks like.
Most L&D teams enter planning season convinced that the next year will finally be different, yet familiar habits quietly undermine strategy before it even begins. Inspired by Georgiana Laudi’s research with over 200 organisations, this post explores six common traps that can derail L&D effectiveness and how to avoid repeating them in 2026.
Choosing between off-the-shelf and custom learning content shapes the success of your LMS. Off-the-shelf courses offer speed, scale, and affordability, while custom content delivers relevance, culture, and strategic value. Most organisations blend both, buying off-the-shelf for universal skills and creating custom content for context, impact, and long-term learning growth.
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Choosing an LMS just got easier!
Our practical guide walks you through the must-have considerations for a platform that drives adoption, supports compliance and grows with your organisation, plus how Totara delivers on each one.
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