The term e-learning was initially understood as PowerPoint presentations in Flash format when it only appeared back in the early 90s. Well, it was a long time ago. Right now, as technology evolved and the Internet became ubiquitous, the e-learning industry literally exploded. This realm has been widely embraced by companies as a manageable and cost-effective means of workplace education. And it advances to grow so intense that soon it will be the most requested industry.
The reason for this is simple. The unique opportunity to learn at any time and in any rhythm by dint of digital devices. Long run eLearning saves costs, increases productivity and ultimately boosts revenues. Consequently, there is no wonder why this direction has substantial potential. More and more leading corporations have decided to jump into this bandwagon and they do the right things. If you aspire to achieve the same, here is the most requested eLearning directions, which will become the chief courses in 2019:
1. Microlearning: Smaller Bites, Bigger Returns
Focusing on bite-sized procedures, this trend can bring a lot of benefits. Why so? The main reason is a new approach of promptly delivering purposeful and unbiased knowledge. And all this happens in short-term, practical and focused bursts. Some specific boons typically consist of learner-centric, knowledge retention and just-in-time learning. Subsequently, learning becomes faster and more comprehensible.
How does microlearning work, and who will reap benefit from it? In simple words, this innovative technique tackles performing education in small blocks. So, organizations can comfortably and quickly deploy it. Here are some fundamental laws for microlearning: learning complex should handle one purpose per lesson; every lesson should end with tests to chunk the material. All this especially transcendent when developing a particular skill, like using software application. You absorb the material step by step so that you can be sure that the parts are learned correctly.
Another distinctive feature is an entertaining form (videos, tests, infographics). Plus, learning can be held through any device which makes microlearning a total must for all organizations. Especially it is important for those, who need to instruct their employees in cost-effective and productive ways.
2. Big Data: The Way to Improve Online Training
Big Data and e-Learning are like nothing else can reap benefits one from another. The term “big data” is not only about the measure of data itself, but also the particular items of it. You can interpret those items and gain the possibility to calculate how the learner is gaining knowledge and at what speed. It mainly helps to distinguish any troubles that may exist on the way of training. If you are completing a training module, your progress, assessment results, and any other data being presented during the program is “big data.” The training system, social media, etc, that has been attached to you by the company aimed to assemble the data. Interpreting big data delivers beneficial force in form of ability to change and improve studies. Such analysis will result in alternative pathways, that learners are up to use to gain more qualitative skills.
How Big Data Will Impact eLearning?
- Analyzing feedback. Big Data will transform eLearning through collecting and analyzing all learner’s steps. Each time learner makes faults or doesn’t simply acquire knowledge properly; you will know it. What is more, you will be able to represent some adjustments to fix this situation.
- Creating new eLearning approaches. Big data in eLearning delivers us a closer look at which strategies to bet on and which not. This will bring high chance to receive favorable outcomes than traditional learning strategy when you can’t even estimate how everything will end.
- Tracking learner models. With big data, eLearning experts obtain the skill to track a learner throughout the entire process, from start to finish. This is a good indicator to see everything as it is.
3. Adaptive Learning: A Personal and Unique Experience
Adaptive midpoints building customized activities for learners who accommodate their unique needs through personalized feedback.
How does it work? It can be introduced in two modes. The first one is ‘designed adaptivity’. It can take learners into various paths based on their preferences and builds a kind of “IF THIS, then THAT” program. The second one is the algorithmic adaptivity. It is based on two issues: “What does the learner grasp?” and “What training adventure should be given next?”. Each of these methods is a successful strategy for improving education.
Adaptation to learner’s needs gives fruitful results. And so, this type of learning will revolutionize corporate training tremendously. In general, the learners will enjoy this process of studying as they get to see only that material that is needed. Plus, using practical estimates, it is possible to skip the learned material.
In 2019, the adaptive approach in learning will become even more powerful, and so it will be a fascinating trend to watch in.
4. Artificial Intelligence: Wanna see e-Learning Even More Accessible?
Just like in any other realm, Artificial Intelligence has risen up in the eLearning area too. Companies are now suggesting solutions where bots are able to lead scholars both on the training path, as well as during the sessions. Does it mean AI-powered chatbots will replace tutors and coaches? Probably, no. New learning assistants will help to enhance the learning process with an aim to support in certain tasks.
What tasks AI will handle for e-Learning? First, it can prognosticate learner behavior, as well as advice and personalize the training. Built on the generated modules that were gripped by learners and the chief obstacles or challenges faced, better personalization will be brought about. Voice-built bots will also help everyone who needs to gain knowledge fast to explore key material.
How will AI impact develop e-learning? As I consider it, companies will be adopting more pioneering AI-based methods to support their trainees in both the learning process and in case of a specific need. Illustrate this can an AI-powered chatbot that can serve support for various questions. Added to the ideal mixture is the use of intelligent robots for powerfully aiding people with special needs to acquire new skills. In most cases, AI will keep on being a remarkably dominant trend, and that it is something that reconstructed the learning scene in 2019 and far away.
5. AR/VR/MR to Increase Attention and Improve Learning Experience
How does augmented reality make learning easier? The line of business is ready to face virtual reality and its close relatives in a form of augmented reality and mixed reality or, according to another terminology, blended reality, which includes elements of augmented reality as well as material presence. But, do we really need this technology in the learning process? Will it deliver anything new except wow effect? Finally, is it necessary to move technology just for the sake of technology? The answer is obvious — yes, yes and yes.
AR-technology is a real boon for the educational process. The main task of augmented reality is to “enrich” real objects with other capabilities and characteristics. To date, there are a huge number of AR-applications that interact with the printed text. For example, augmented reality applications for language learning are presented in the form of the game Put a Spell. This program was developed by Ogmento specifically for the iPhone, as well as Google Goggles or Word Lens. It allows scanning various inscriptions in a foreign language and immediately suggests the translation. And this is not a single way of AR application, as it can be used in other realms too.
VR assists in acquiring bits of knowledge through experience and hence bridges the gap between theory and practice. One of the most beneficial features of virtual reality is its ability to cut distraction. By blocking visual and auditory distraction factors, VR can help deeply connect with the material. Subsequently, it will increase interest. VR can generate astonishing experiences that you may not explore in real life. Reduce distraction plus increases interest results in excellent team engagement.
MR will efficiently deliver similar things like VR and AR and even more. It is the totally immersive practice that demands learners to wear an HMD (head mounted display) and motion controller, through which they can interact with surroundings created by a mix of real and virtual worlds. Learners can approach and manipulate things leading to a more proper understanding of them.
Summing it up…
2019 undoubtedly brings enough directions to expect. All of them compose an excellent sign of where the eLearning is traveling this year. But overall, the primary vector of development concerns learning with all possible speed, big data, adaptive approaches, Artificial Intelligence, AR, VR and achieving the title of the most requested technology. Sounds great, but… Wide spreading all of those techniques and new ways of learning depend only on the company’s willingness and want to make alternations into the corporate system. But, as a practice show, it is the right path to bet on.
…………………………
If you have any questions or want me to cover anything specific in the future, ask away in the comments section below. I will share my posts here on topics around Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science and e-Learning. You can also follow me on this journey through my social media platforms — Instagram.
Thank you for reading!