Harvard LXP Project Site

The Learning Experience Platform (LXP) project seeks to develop a next-generation learning platform for use by Harvard and beyond. The goal of the project is to deliver an integrated, scalable, and extensible learning platform that delivers a transformational, learner-centric experience across a diverse range of learning modes. The LXP is being designed to serve Harvard stakeholders and audiences, as well as a global audience of educators and learners, with a particular interest in impacting underserved communities.

Led by the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, Harvard University IT, and Harvard Business School, the LXP project represents the learnings, inspiration, and vision from a vast array of work by various Harvard units in the field of teaching and learning. In particular, the lessons learned from edX, Harvard's use of Canvas, Harvard Business School Online, and other online platforms and education technology investments were instrumental in catalyzing the LXP project.

Beginning in early fall 2019, stakeholders from across Harvard engaged to shape both the initial scope of the project and envision its long-term goals. The momentum behind that initial envisioning was then catalyzed by the pandemic and Harvard's shift to remote teaching and learning. In conjunction with those unprecedented times, President Bacow requested the convening of the Harvard Future of Teaching and Learning task force, which issued a report in spring 2022. Many of the findings from the FTL task force, as stated in the report, align directly with the goals of the LXP project.

Why is Harvard building the LXP?

There is a tremendous opportunity for Harvard to take the next step in providing learners, both within Harvard and beyond, with transformational online learning experiences through innovative pedagogies and new ways to grow digital learning communities; and controlling our own platform is a critical component to enabling that future. 

Moreover, stakeholders across Harvard have aligned around the idea of creating a platform with "opinionated pedagogy." That opinion represents the lessons and research from Harvard's expert faculty and staff in teaching and learning. We are building those principles and opinions on pedagogy into the fabric of the LXP, creating code as pedagogy.   

For a more in-depth analysis of the rationales behind the LXP, please see this page.

What kind of features will the LXP have?

There are a set of core features that the LXP will support across all users. For example, learning experiences will be mobile-friendly, accessible, and secure (we are firm believers that an accessible learning experience makes for a better learning experience for all, not just those with accessibility needs). We are working closely with the HUIT Digital Accessibility unit as well as with expert third parties to ensure that the LXP is an exemplar when it comes to accessibility. The LXP learning experience is also being built with a mobile-first mindset, meaning that all UX/UI designs start with the mobile experience. 

For an overview of more of the LXP feature set, please see the Features page. 

Is the LXP meant to replace Canvas and edX?

No. Canvas plays a critical role across Harvard's residential programs and many online programs as well. Canvas' flexibility and design to accommodate a vast array of use cases, including many learning management functions, means that Harvard will likely continue to rely on Canvas for years to come. Likewise, edX allows Harvard and hundreds of other institutions to deliver asynchronous learning experiences at a massive scale, another channel that Harvard will continue to serve. 

The LXP, in contrast, is being designed in the near term to enable Harvard to deliver the intimacy of the Harvard classroom and the associated opinionated pedagogies both at scale and in asynchronous and blended modalities. In the longer term, the LXP is tackling the even more ambitious goal of developing a global virtual campus, unbounded by geographic limitations, that fosters learning experiences and communities that grow beyond the strictures of a traditional course.

Who is building the LXP?

The vision, use cases, and features of the LXP are from Harvard. Across Harvard, we are privileged to have deep experience and expertise in the field of online education. And where we have gaps, we know those beyond Harvard to call upon for guidance and inspiration. The product vision is currently being led by VPAL and HBS with input from key stakeholders across Harvard.

We are also fortunate to have deep technical expertise both in HUIT and through various IT units within Harvard Schools. HUIT has a primary role in the development process, ensuring that, where appropriate, the LXP is being designed in a sustainable manner as part of the larger Harvard IT ecosystem.

Harvard's competitive advantage is not in complex, bespoke enterprise software development. The vast majority of the actual code behind the LXP will be vendor-developed. The vendors currently engaged in the project are Extension Engine, Mindtree, and Amazon.

When will the LXP launch?

The first learner-facing release of the LXP is currently targeted for summer 2023. The next release after that is to-be-determined, though will likely happen in late 2023 to early 2024. For more detailed view of the current timeline and projected launches, please see the Timeline page.

Who will maintain and develop the LXP after its launch?

After the first release, we expect that most of the technical maintenance and operation of the LXP will be handled by vendors. However, we have already begun an extensive discovery process, with a dedicated funding source, to determine what Harvard resources, both existing and future, will be needed to support the LXP. Our long-term goal is to be vendor reliant only to the extent necessary to maximize efficiency and sustainability, while maintaining control over aspects of the platform where Harvard has a competitive advantage in application of its technical resources. Striking this balance will require vigilant planning, training, and eventually hiring as well.

Who is paying for the LXP build?

A variety of funding sources have already been identified from various buckets within the VPAL budget and other sources across Harvard to be applied to early releases of the LXP. Additional sources, including from donors and non-profits, are also actively being pursued. As a partner and lead user of the LXP, HBS will also be contributing resources in various forms to the project. Similarly, HUIT is also devoting resources aimed towards both near-term post-release operations, as well as long-term sustainability.   

How much will it cost for our School or program to use the LXP?

The revenue-share & cost recovery model used for the LXP is to be determined and will be impacted by how the School or program is using the LXP, and what local resources a School or program is able to commit to its use of the LXP. Through VPAL's experience with edX as well as other partners over the years, VPAL has experience in creating financial models that prioritize maximizing value for Harvard. During the development phase, the first priority is developing the LXP such that the technological underpinnings to enable meaningful cost attribution, for example, are put in place at a foundational level.

Who is on the LXP team within Harvard?

The Harvard LXP team is composed of a core set of individuals from across VPAL, HUIT, and HBS that are working on LXP-related matters on a daily basis. The core then engages a broad set of subject matter experts from across Harvard depending on the nature of the need. The LXP team is ever grateful for the continued support it receives from colleagues across Harvard.

How is the student perspective being captured?

Creating learner-centric learning experiences is core to our mission. We are ensuring that is happening in the following ways: 1) trusting our instructional designers, education technologists, product managers, and faculty with their vast expertise in this area; 2) listening directly to learners through various feedback loops that are established in current online programs; and 3) early user-testing with students for all net new features that we currently do not have data on or experience with. 

How are cross-Harvard needs being reflected in the LXP development process?

Understanding the Harvard-wide needs when it comes to teaching and learning, particularly in the digital space, is a core function of VPAL, particularly through organizations like the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching.

Before starting any development work, the LXP project has been informed by over two years of stakeholder engagement followed by an extensive discovery and planning phase. Stakeholders both at the highest leadership levels and with key operational subject matter experts were engaged. Given that due diligence, we determined that moving forward with the LXP build was the right path. 

As development progresses and as we move through the initial releases, we will continue to engage cross-Harvard stakeholders for both input on how certain features are developed and to stay current on developing needs. We have already identified and will continue to engage key points of contact at each Harvard School and other units such as HUIT and the Libraries to ensure that we are tied into the right networks.

Is the LXP going to be available for use beyond Harvard?

The near-term goal is to serve the Harvard community. However, creating the technical foundation needed to serve the diversity of stakeholders at Harvard means that the LXP will be well-suited for use beyond Harvard. Through multi-tenancy, i.e. the ability to give educators their own personalized space within the LXP, the LXP may be leveraged by non-Harvard institutions, organizations, and businesses. There are many different models under which such an arrangement might occur, and each model has its own pros and cons with respect to things like cost and sustainability. These are areas that will need to be further explored in the future.

What is the governance model for the LXP?

The LXP Executive Leadership is Alan Garber (Provost) and Srikant Datar (HBS Dean). The Executive Committee is Klara Jelinkova (University CIO), Nancy Coleman (DCE Dean), Bharat Anand (Vice Provost for Advances in Learning), Mike Smith (FAS/SEAS faculty), Marco Iansiti (HBS faculty). 

Within each School or unit an initial leadership contact has been identified, who will coordinate stakeholders within that unit. These are subject to change and expand as the project continues. Currently, the leadership contacts are: Marco Iansiti (HBS), Glenn Cohen (HLS), Suzanne Cooper (HKS), Matt Miller (GSE), Erin Driver-Linn (HSPH), David Roberts (HMS), Lisa Haber-Thomson (GSD), Alan Wolf (HUIT), Stu Snydman (Library), Dustin Tingley (VPAL).

Additional layers of governance are actively being developed. For example, we will bring together technical leadership (e.g., CIOs and/or their designees) from across Harvard to discuss matters related to architectural design and technical operating infrastructure.

For more information, please contact lxpprojectinfo@harvard.edu.