E-Learning Trends in the Coming Decade

The earliest forms of e-learning came about in the 1990s as a way to support face-to-face education. Over the years, however, changes in technology, the workplace, and trends have revolutionized what e-learning once was. E-learning has supplemented traditional learning in the same way as websites like essaypro.com help students write papers. It has become useful across many platforms beyond traditional education, including business, employee training, and more. Below, we’ll take a look at the e-learning trends that are expected in the next decade.

The Surge of E-Learning

With an increase in technological advancements and a higher interest in e-learning, the market is expected to continue growing. The e-learning market was valued around $107 billion in 2015. This has grown substantially over the last few years and the market is expected to reach an astonishing $325 billion by 2025. Developing countries are the main source of this growth. As developing countries do not always have the best education resources in their country, e-learning makes it possible for their people to access better educational resources.

Even though e-learning as a whole is expected to increase, many expect a decrease in self-paced e-learning. In theory, people who can set their own pace while learning have increased flexibility and can complete courses on their schedule. In practice, however, this type of learning is not as motivational or engaging and many people never finish their courses.

E-Learning and Corporate Training

In the workplace, digital connectivity, information, and devices are all on the rise. These elements have provided the support e-learning needs to grow. Additionally, it is more cost-effective for companies to train employees using digital software than to use one-on-one training from management or other employees.

Not only is it more cost- and time-effective, statistics show e-learning boosts employee engagement by 18%. Additionally, it takes less time and increases the retention of information by as much as 60%.

Microlearning

Another e-learning trend used by corporations is microlearning. Generally, employees have around 1% of the workweek that they can dedicate to developing professionally. If they work forty hours per week, this is only 24 minutes. Microlearning is a method that gives smaller, bite-sized nuggets of information. These bits of information can be consumed in 2-7 minutes and are typically tailored to help an employee reach a learning goal that has been set.

Microlearning has three benefits. First, content can usually be consumed on a computer, mobile, or another video device. This makes it easily accessible to employees at any time of the day. Second, it caters to the average employee’s attention span. Generally, content that is consumed for a longer period has less effectiveness because employees lose focus. Finally, microlearning lets organizations cater learning solutions to each employee. This makes it easier for everyone to find a training method that works best for them and prevents time wasted with employees reviewing information they are already familiar with. 

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Trends in Mobile Learning

In 2019, it was estimated that around 89% of people use a mobile device. Of people who have already used mobile devices as a learning tool, around 99% have stated that mobile learning significantly improves their experience.

As time passes, mobile learning should mimic desktop versions of the software. The major benefit comes from the connectivity of mobile devices. It allows an increase in flexibility and accessibility that is unmatched by other devices. As immersive technologies combine with the availability of mobile, it should create high-impact learning materials that users can access from virtually anywhere.

Work-Life Skills and Soft Skills Training

One of the hardest things for employers to teach employees is soft skills. Soft skills include those that people often already possess earlier in life, including an ability to read body language, being good at public speaking, critical thinking, conflict management, delegation, leadership, and more. It is possible for employees to learn these skills, however, they usually are difficult to teach without hands-on application.

E-learning will make it easier for corporations to teach their employees through gamification and video-based learning. Not only will these skills improve an employee’s ability to succeed in the company, but they are also practical skills that they can use in life. In addition to all-around training, e-learning can also be used to help employees stay current with soft skills and brush up on them when necessary.

A Rise in Immersive Technologies

Perhaps one of the most exciting changes to come is the rise of immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Currently, AR technologies are the most common in e-learning. Existing training materials are augmented to create intriguing graphics and images, which results in a much more engaging learning experience that users can really become immersed in. For example, this technology might be used by insurance companies that are training inspectors to look for the origin of a fire. The software takes a real house and overlays it with fire damage graphics so it can be used for exercises.

Virtual reality, by contrast, uses 360-degree photography to create real scenarios and real interactions. This is useful for creating real applications instead of just practicing theory. VR works because of the principle that humans do best by learning. It is most commonly used in high-tech training areas of medicine and the military. It is even used by some companies for corporate training and distance learning, especially for remote workers.

As technologies advance, we are likely to see more VR, AR, and MR technologies being used. Additionally, as the equipment and technology become more widespread, it's likely that more companies and arenas will pick up on this trend.

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The Use of Big Data for Customized Learning

E-learning is fairly straightforward when it comes to class materials and even in corporations. Unfortunately, while the straightforward approach does make learning accessible for everyone, it does not offer the customized learning style that is possible.

As e-learning becomes more popular, it is likely going to merge with big data. Those viewing learning materials will be able to be tested on their knowledge and given appropriate materials based on what they need to know. The major benefit of merging big data with e-learning is the amount of time saved.

One company that is already employing this model is IBM. They are using machine learning solutions. A system learns through input data instead of direct human programming. Then, a model of online courses can be created and adjusted to keep pace with an individual’s capacity for learning. In the event of someone falling behind, they might be offered additional lessons. This could also increase the convenience of learning since those who are ready to move forward can continue on with their own schedules.

Game-Based Courses

Game-based learning is incredibly effective. When students are being engaged more, they are less likely to drop out because they enjoy what they are doing. This works similar to the way that younger children might be enticed to learn about math or reading by playing fun games with their favorite characters. Basically, a set of principles is established and the game goes on in a way that these principles can be taught.

One of the major benefits of implementing video-game based learning is that people who are more engaged retain more. Additionally, as they are enjoying themselves, they’re less likely to be overwhelmed by the information being provided to them.

Reduced Efforts to Create Content in the Workplace

The Internet is a vast place that has millions of topics on nearly any subject. At one time, organizations focused on creating custom content for their employees to learn. However, it was hard keeping these materials up-to-date. The latest trends in performance and techniques are constantly changing, which means that companies would have to stay on top of creating content or their content would fall behind the times.

Now, there is the option of curating content instead. This involves aggregating important content that already exists, which may be a collection of YouTube videos, TED talks, blogs, and other tools. These are combined with content from inside an organization, including webinar recordings, templates, tools, and more. For this to be an effective way to use e-learning, however, employers will have to learn to filter what they are showing their employees. After all, they need to reserve the majority of time at work for focusing on their daily tasks.

As time goes on, there may be a rise in daily content feeds. These would be a type of digital learning tool that lets employees view selected videos, articles, and content.

Knowledge-Sharing

The sharing of knowledge is important for people outside of corporations and students as well. In 2017, there was a 38% increase in user-generated content. As people collaborated and shared content across platforms increased the educational materials available. As e-learning technologies make user-generated content more available, there will also likely be a drop in external suppliers creating e-learning content.

Knowledge-sharing would also be important across corporations. As team members collaborate, they can reach a greater understanding of the ideas at hand. Additionally, knowledge-sharing would make it easier for companies to curate content for their employees. Of course, this content would also need to be filtered to keep everyone on the same track.

Growth-Based Metrics

Employees become discouraged when they are performing below expectations. The problem with modern-day metrics is that they focus on an average or a target that employees are expected to hit. When they don’t, it becomes frustrating. This is especially true for employees who may be performing well in other areas and only performing poorly in the one.

It is likely that employers will capitalize on e-learning using growth-based metrics instead of relying on a set target. Each employee will be able to be tracked based on their individual performance. This gives them a chance to notice what areas they are improving in and continue working on improvement instead of being discouraged by missing a target goal.

In addition to helping employees achieve growth, these metrics will highlight individual strengths. Coaches, mentors, and employers will be able to recognize the positive things that team members have going for them and they will be able to use those strengths to help them fulfill a better role in the organization. This leads to more productivity for everyone.

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A Decrease in Less Effective Learning Measures

Some companies will have a hard time moving past all the work they have put into creating lengthy videos and other content for their employees. By avoiding the new wave of e-learning and e-learning trends, companies will fall behind in their training measures. Those that do take the step forward toward a newer, more innovative approach will see results. This includes a reduction in the amount of time that employees must spend learning, a more tailored approach to training, and a greater level of retention. As employees learn more in an efficient manner, it will improve metrics all across the company.

Increases in Videos

Video content is expected to continue its rise. Consider this—in 30 days alone, the United States uploads more video content than the major television networks have created in 30 years. This is due to the wide accessibility of the web and mobile phones, as well as user interest in video learning.

It’s predicted that e-learning videos will continue rising over the next few years. Of all the content, it is one of the most integrable. Some of the content that might be used include video assignments, live streaming, expert tips, selfie videos, good and bad practice demos, and more. They can even be combined with discussions and polls, or used to create experimental learning simulations.

Of course, for videos to be effective, they also must be curated. Employees are not going to spend hours each day reviewing 20-minute videos. Instead, employers should focus on creating a system that lets employees learn in just five minutes each day. To keep content engaging and keep employees thinking, they can be encouraged to share what they have learned by posting their own videos or watching and evaluating videos from their colleagues.

Better Integration

For e-learning trends to be capitalized on, improved integration is key. As with most technology, there is a potential learning curve when it is introduced into the workplace. Employers should focus on a seamless transition and including e-learning in a way that excites employees rather than intimidating them. It is important that e-learning flows into the workplace. Rather than being instructed, employees will be able to embrace and accept the new changes for themselves. This will also continue to integrate learning and refreshing skills as part of the job.

Student Learning

E-learning trends can also affect the way students learn new materials. Currently, the average college dropout ratio is between 50-60%. This is likely caused by difficulty learning materials from a book or finding resources to help. E-learning provides better resources to those college students who may be struggling.

Additionally, while learning from a book is self-guided, e-learning gives students the opportunity to be tested as they go. This improves a student’s ability to retouch on the subjects they don’t understand before moving on. E-learning also breaks information down into manageable chunks and lets students revisit areas before moving on. This is beneficial over traditional lectures for many students, especially because they can review the materials as many times as they need to before moving on. There is also more engagement than simply reading out of book.

E-learning has the potential to revolutionize the way that people learn. E-learning trends will lead to possibilities for educational content that is more engaging and accessible. Those taking in the content will have a higher retention rate. For both students and businesses, the various trends in e-learning have the potential to change the way that people look at education.