We can expect great things from eLearning in the years to come. There was a high point in the eLearning market during the COVID-19 pandemic, and projections show it will grow by more than 200% between 2020 and 2025. Not surprisingly, companies in this sector have already started taking measures that should benefit their bottom lines.
Market analysts are
under a lot of pressure to provide a satisfying customer experience and must
consider many factors. It will be interesting to observe how businesses respond
to the new e-learning trends in learning and development and how they choose
which ones to adopt and integrate. Check out our article about educational
technology to learn more.
In 2022, online
education and training programs are still using many of the same tried-and-true
learning tools and delivery methods that were popular in the previous year. The
use of video, gamification, and microlearning in e-learning are all as popular
as ever. These have played a pivotal role in the evolution of eLearning thus
far, and they will continue to do so in the future, making online education
more engaging and efficient.
This piece is not a
retrospective on fads that have long since passed. In its place, we talk about
the most promising developments in e-learning that promise to transform the
digital education landscape in the coming year.
By monitoring the
eLearning market and delving into the rich data, we have gathered from thousands
of our customers and their e-learning courses and online academies, we have
identified the top 10 eLearning trends for the coming year and beyond.
1. Learning on the Go
The trend toward
creating mobile-first experiences for online education is gaining momentum. The
market value for mobile education is expected to reach $46.9 billion by 2024,
developing at an annual average growth rate of around 26%.
Online courses have
evolved to be mobile-friendly, allowing students to access course materials and
communicate with their peers to replicate the feel of in-person education. In
today's world, this won't do.
Building a mobile app
is essential for a mobile-first design. Creators can provide students with a
superior mobile learning experience via an app, increasing student engagement
and retention. A mobile app for corporate training allows remote workers to
quickly and easily access online training materials whenever and wherever they
may be needed.
Having the option to
download media and watch it without an internet connection is essential. A
growing number of educational apps now allow users to download content for
offline use, intending to provide the best possible mobile learning experience.
Finally, one sub-trend
of mobile learning is known as "microlearning." In particular,
learning materials in the form of short videos remain the most popular and
effective for use on mobile devices.
2. Platforms
for Learning Experience
A Learning Experience
Platform (LXP) aims to improve the user's learning experience through adaptive
learning and to give the learner more control over their own education. Many
people mistake them for the next generation of LMSs, but they are designed for
something completely different.
Learning management
systems (LMSs) have traditionally been used to disseminate training largely
governed by instructional designers and course creators.
This method is
perfectly acceptable for the delivery of more formal training, such as
compliance, health and safety, or job-specific new skills. A formalised program
for mandatory and high-risk training is recommended and often required.
Instead, an LXP
platform will suggest content for you based on what it thinks you might like.
Your company's LMS can complement other external resources, such as a blog.
Similarly to learning management systems, LXPs welcomes a wide range of content
types.
In addition, the more
the learner uses the platform, the more personalised the recommendations
become, thanks to the platform's AI and machine learning capabilities.
Additionally, the platform recommends content based on the user's profile data
(occupation, division, skill gaps, etc.) and the preferences of people with
similar profiles.
For voluntary
education, the LXP provides a superior learning solution. It's a more laid-back
method that prioritises the learner and encourages continuous education.
The popularity of LXPs
has grown alongside the trend toward student independence in the classroom.
While online education has always afforded students some leeway in pace and
location, LXPs go further by letting students design their courses. Artificial
intelligence (AI) also plays a crucial role by facilitating the delivery of
individualised recommendations based on the learner's previous actions.
Finally, it's
important to remember that students are now more accustomed to the "social
media" approach to education, characterised by individualised feeds filled
with user-generated content. Similar user experiences can be generated by LXP
platforms, "tricking" users into learning.
3. Hybrid Instructional Strategies
Hybrid learning, a
concept more commonly associated with higher education and universities, is now
widely used in K-12 classrooms. It's no secret that most businesses now employ
a hybrid workforce, which means that training methods must adapt.
Both online and
in-person instruction is utilised during a hybrid course of study. It's
frequently confused with blended learning, but the latter focuses primarily on
in-person instruction supplemented by digital resources.
Students in a hybrid
course can access all of the course materials online and study at their own
pace during the course's online component. Depending on the structure of the
course materials, this repository could be anything from a learning management
system (LMS) to a cloud storage service like Google Drive.
Learning in a hybrid
format combines the best features of both online and face-to-face instruction.
On the one hand, students can study whenever and wherever it is most suitable
for them. In addition, they find the collaboration with other students and the
teacher enjoyable, which boosts their motivation to learn and retention.
4. Evaluation is Transforming
In most cases, a
multiple-choice quiz taken at the end of a module is used for online
assessment, even in MOOCs. In recent years, however, assessment has undergone
significant change. It has been enriched with various assessment types that
allow course creators to evaluate whether or not their learners have achieved
the desired learning objectives.
Recent efforts to
evaluate teaching and learning have shifted from being an afterthought to an
integral part. There has been an increase concerning the use of formative
assessments because of their positive effects on learning by allowing teachers
to give immediate feedback, intervene when necessary, and guide students in the
right direction.
Performance-based
evaluation is another rising trend. Students are required to demonstrate their
competence through the completion of collaborative group projects and final
presentations or the successful completion of problems based on
"real-world" scenarios with the assistance of augmented and virtual
reality tools. These assessments evaluate learning while simultaneously
enhancing soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, resourcefulness,
and collaboration to provide a more well-rounded and beneficial learning
experience that aids in the development of personality traits in addition to
technical skills.
The good news is that
evaluation is also becoming more open and accessible. Those designing courses
can choose the most appropriate assessment method for evaluating students'
abilities, regardless of whether they have a learning or physical disability.
Students with difficulties submitting written work, such as those with dyslexia
or visual impairments, may submit video recordings instead.
5. Artificial Intelligence
By providing users
with personalised recommendations, deep search capabilities, and tools that
accommodate learning disabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) significantly
improves the quality of the learning experience for the end user.
When applied to
eLearning, AI has the added benefit of saving time and effort for the course's
creator. AI tools have allowed for the automation of a wide variety of
processes, including translating content, tagging and grouping content,
allocating courses to users, and creating quizzes. Of course, deep data
analysis is one of AI's most valuable features. Training providers will benefit
significantly from learning analytics tools because they will illuminate every
facet of an online course and student behaviour.
The story doesn't end
there regarding AI's impact on e-learning. The artificial intelligence subfield
of Natural Language Processing allows chatbots to function as helpful digital
helpers. They help both students and teachers by quickly responding to
essential questions with relevant data from a database.
6. Micro-Credentials
Certifications known
as "micro-credentials" are given out after a brief training or course
has been finished. Consider them like short courses in a particular field.
Micro-credentials' popularity is rising because they verify quick and easy ways
to prove fundamental knowledge and abilities in the workplace.
Credits earned from
micro-credentials can be transferred from one educational institution to
another and applied to the final total required for graduation. A
micro-credential is an excellent addition to a professional profile.
The fact that there is
always some assignment to complete to prove that learning objectives have been
met makes micro-credentials a trustworthy proof of knowledge and skills
acquired, even in the absence of official guidelines for how such knowledge is
to be evaluated.
Micro-credentials will
continue to rise in popularity and become the de facto solution for skills
enhancement as modern professionals invest heavily in building impressive
resumes and acquiring versatile skills.
7. Cohort-based education and training
Cohort-based learning
is a teaching strategy in which a whole class works through a curriculum
simultaneously. Cohort-based online courses typically combine synchronous and
asynchronous learning, with students working together on group projects and
interacting in real-time with their peers.
Courses in a cohort
model typically have a beginning and an end date, as well as due dates for assignments,
which promotes accountability and demonstrates high course completion rates.
Cohort-based education helps students become more responsible with their time
and tasks.
In cohort-based
education, interactive elements encourage students to stay engaged and
motivated. They also present excellent opportunities for the teacher to engage
with the class and tailor the material presented in light of the student's
responses. Students benefit from individualised instruction and a stronger
sense of camaraderie.
8. In-Depth Data Analysis
Analysing data is
crucial for e-learning but essential for corporate training and higher
education. AI is commonly used in predictive analytics because it quickly and
accurately analyses large amounts of data, allowing for accurate predictions of
future learner behaviour.
The efficiency of
learning can be significantly enhanced by analysing data. It can point students
toward the courses and resources that best suit their needs and interests. It
can also detect deteriorating performance and alert the teacher so that they
can intervene at the appropriate time.
The value of analysing
data and learning from it will only increase over time. Students' preferences
and expectations are shaped by various extra-academic factors and are in a
constant state of flux. The only way course designers and training providers
can meet their student's needs at any given time is to keep a close eye on
their behaviour as customers and students.
9. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Surely you've heard of
the new mobile game "Pokemon GO." In 2016, this augmented reality
(AR) game was released and immediately became a smashing success. It's one
thing to form an opinion on chasing imaginary friends down the street based on
your experience or agreement with the concept. You have to admit, though, that
the idea sounds fascinating when applied to the context of a game-based
educational system.
Augmented and virtual
reality (AR/VR) offers two significant advantages for eLearning: unparalleled
immersion and lightning-fast, in-depth comprehension.
In many ways, virtual
and augmented reality (VR) systems exceed the value of actual practice. These
tools give students a risk-free environment to experiment with and internalise
procedures before applying them in the real world.
Employees in various
fields, including those who operate heavy machinery, construct buildings,
provide medical care, and respond to emergencies, can gain a great deal from
training in AR and VR. Using simulations in education has increased retention
rates and created a conducive, distraction-free learning atmosphere.
Compared to Augmented
Reality, Virtual reality provides a much more immersive experience. To fully
engage in a virtual reality (VR) experience, the student typically dons a
headset or visor, allowing them to become detached from the "real world."
Although Augmented
reality has fewer capabilities, it is still impressive. We have a piece of
technology that "responds" to the user's input. Envision a system
whereby you can hover your phone over a plant and have digital elements or
imagery appear, elucidating what you're looking at. Smart glasses or a mobile
app downloaded to a smartphone are required to access augmented reality
content.
Despite their more
common association with video games, augmented and virtual reality can also be
used to deliver educational content through educational simulations.
10. Memberships and Subscriptions
According to feedback
from our patrons, membership sites are becoming increasingly popular among
those who offer online courses. Why is this business model so widespread, and
what makes it unique? It's like being back on your favourite social media site,
only without all the noise, and it'll help you connect better with your fellow
users and the people who follow your work. One practical benefit of a
subscription is that it guarantees the creator a regular income stream.
In exchange for a
subscription fee, creators provide their audience with various benefits, such
as early access, discounts, and community forums. Consistent effort on the
creator's part is required to maintain a membership site to keep the community
active.
For their members to
continue engaging with each other and the creators, membership sites often
feature frequent updates and even live events. Participating in a vibrant
online learning community is, in the eyes of many students, far superior to
taking classes at their own pace. Therefore, take heed; subscription-based
websites are here to stay.
Conclusion
2023 will be a year full of exciting new developments for eLearning. How students will react to these emerging trends, as well as any surprises that may lie in store for us, is something that we cannot wait to find out. To find more helpful articles, please click here.
