eLearning Trends
eLearning is a trend of a lifetime. eLearning will continue to flourish with many elements to authenticate it. There will be more profound connections with learners and quicker content development and delivery.
Trends To Watch Out For
1. Virtual Training
Virtual training is one of the top trends ever since working from home became an option. Before, when people worked from home they had some type of training but it would most likely be in-person training. Now, remote workers are able to do their complete training online without going in person. Virtual training helps workers from all geographies. Virtual training also bring interaction with all employees. When learning virtually, workers can also do mobile learning.
2. Mobile Learning
Mobile learning has become prevalent. Mobile learning provides students with the opportunity to learn from anywhere. You can download content and learn right from your personal device, without an internet connection. Students are also able to see real-time results of their work. Mobile learning supports self-paced learning, so students can learn at different rates without feeling rushed. It is cost-effective and is supported on multiple devices; if you are working from your phone and want to finish up on your computer, you can save the material to a cloud account to connect. Saving work on a cloud account connects learners with social learning.
3. Social Learning
Social learning is where team members can communicate with peers about lessons. This can be through study groups, hashtags, posts, chats, etc. [1]. When students have peer advice, it can result in greater motivation and help improve learners’ skills. Social learning can improve simple collaboration between peers and colleagues.
4. Gamification
Gamification is the learning element in game playing. Examples of gamification are point scoring, competition between students, rules, etc. Gamification creates a challenge and activity with multiple ways to solve the problem(s). Teachers can grade the lesson by adding together points and having a point system. Badges and levels are awarded as grades to teach different gaming levels, which helps with motivation. Gamification creates a fun way to draw in students who don’t enjoy the traditional way of teaching.
5. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in computer systems and machines. Intelligent machines require human intelligence to perform tasks. AI allows processes to progress quicker, organizations to improve their business, and for accurate decision-making. AI creates personalized learning; the correct content is provided for the right students. Machine learning allows the creation of new algorithms that assist in predicting user behavior. For example, if a student is given multiple questions on the same topic and keeps getting the correct answers, the system knows to switch to more challenging questions to move on to a higher understanding of a topic.
6. Microlearning
Microlearning is impactful bite-sized learning that is a strong tool for learners [2]. Microlearning aims to help learners learn topics more effectively. There is ease of deployment with microlearning and it acknowledges students’ time constraints. Learners pay attention to detail and to the subject matter when the lessons are more focused and less time-consuming. Microlearning is a punch-packed lesson plan of a regular eLearning course. Instructors pull out the essential information and create a course that will be cheaper to produce.
7. Data-Driven Learning
Data-driven learning is aligned to accomplish learning goals and ensures the learning function is put into the design and reports. Data-driven learning uses data to ensure the correct design decisions are made for the eLearning course. It is designed to be most effective and to eliminate the barriers that hinder learners. To develop a data-driven eLearning course, you must revise the course, add storytelling, analyze activities, and ensure the correct devices are added for training.
Benefits And Disadvantages Of eLearning
eLearning isn’t just simply online learning, it is a learning resource that comes in various forms. It plays a massive role in ensuring learning virtually. eLearning allows classrooms and meetings from afar. It also provides training and assignments to be done virtually. eLearning can be self-paced with a deadline so that it creates more flexibility. The benefit of eLearning is that it is affordable and saves time. It eliminates travel costs, material costs, and facility costs. eLearning lets learners prepare for real-world situations. Learners must have time management skills and be self-disciplined to be successful with eLearning [3]. While there is an increase in the use of eLearning, Instructional Designers understand that it is not the answer in every situation. There are some things that need to be discussed face-to-face, for learners to get hands-on experience.
A disadvantage of eLearning is that learners must maintain strong self-motivation and have time management skills. Learners must retain information in the best way possible for them. Instructional Designers guide learners toward retaining the knowledge they acquire in the eLearning course. Instructional Designers create an environment that pulls learners in, from the aesthetics to the complete design. Though Instructional Designers do their best to arrange the course to assist the learners in retaining information, they can’t make learners learn: that is up to the students. Another disadvantage would be that students are more prone to cheating. Instructors must utilize cheating prevention measures (i.e., blockers) for assignments, etc.
Conclusion
The importance of eLearning remains that it consistently assists learners in growing and developing. Students will succeed, save money, and engage more frequently when you choose the right Instructional Design elements. As eLearning quickly evolves, stay on top of all developing technologies around you to get the most out of the eLearning experience.
References:
[1] eLearning Trends for 2022: Future of eLearning
