The pace of today’s workplace has accelerated with the growth of digital technology. Suddenly, we can work from anywhere, tackle increasingly complex projects, and master intricate software. How do we keep up? Luckily, the eLearning discipline has also grown, taking advantage of new technologies to make education and workplace development easier than ever before. We take a look at the biggest eLearning opportunities we saw across industries in 2019 and the trends to watch in 2020.
What was big in eLearning in 2019
Adaptive learning continued to make inroads in 2019. Creating customized learning experiences benefits learners by allowing them to skip content they already understand while focusing more on new challenges, making their learning experience more enjoyable and effective as a result.
Learning in small chunks, or microlearning, was also a growing trend in 2019. These objective-driven learning modules prevent boredom and seem to increase retention for individuals learning complex subjects.
Another trend that changed the eLearning landscape this past year was artificial intelligence. Using AI, eLearning platforms can help further personalize learning experiences and provide students with customized guidance along the way.
efforts, including game-based learning, helping improve student retention in 2019. This type of gamified learning appears to really engage learners, empowering them to take charge of their education using the techniques and tropes of digital games.
Likewise, video-based learning and augmented reality/virtual reality played big roles in eLearning in the past year. Both help many learners connect with material on a deeper level than pure text. We found that video learning, particularly in the case of AR/VR, actually helped learners empathize and identify with the concepts due to their firsthand experience.
What’s ahead for eLearning in 2020
Personalization will continue to be a hugely impactful trend in eLearning in the new year. This will build off of 2019’s growth in AI, allowing learners to receive content, questions, and analysis designed specifically for them, while giving them more input into what and how they learn.
2020 will likely see a continued growth in mobile content. Learners are seeking more portability than ever in their educational opportunities and expect learning to take place seamlessly on their mobile devices.
As in 2019, we predict that video eLearning will continue to be influential, from live streaming to best practice demonstrations to VR.
And all of these trends will influence more self-directed learning. Today’s employees want learning opportunities that are not only personalized for them but that allow them to study at their own pace using their own preferred methods. More companies will trust their employees to find and utilize the learning platforms that work for them rather than requiring their staff to fit into a one-size-fits-all rubric.