Research from Arizton shows that the global e-learning market was valued at $190 billion in 2020 and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 14% during 2020-2025. The concept of e-learning has been out there for years – since 1999, to be precise.
While the industry has witnessed several developments over the years, no event has led to the transformation of e-learning than COVID-19. Online education, which was once a perk provided by a handful of institutes, has become a norm. Everyone from preschools to esteemed universities is leveraging e-learning to provide digital learning experiences to students.
As the industry continues to evolve, new trends have emerged. Let’s look at some important e-learning trends to watch out for in 2021 and beyond, before finalize Education App Development Company.
1. Mobile Learning
Data from CNBC shows that 3/4th of internet users will access the internet solely on their smartphones by 2025. This mobile usage extends to online content consumption, including e-learning. E-learning platforms will be more mobile-focused in the future to meet learners’ requirements. Trainers will build courses with mobile learners in mind to provide them with a seamless learning experience.
2. Personalized Learning Experiences
An essential drawback of online education and learning has been the lack of a human element. What students experienced before was one-way interaction, where they were interacting with nothing but a machine. This will soon change as e-learning providers are focusing increasingly on humanization.
This also means we’re likely to see a rise in personalized learning experiences. E-learning industry professionals are investing in providing customized and personalized learning experiences to the learners. This includes small tweaks like involving learners in course development, creating and showing content as per requirement, and allowing learners to choose their learning paths.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way to almost every industry and sector, and e-learning is no different. First, let’s look at how AI can be implemented in e-learning. In the previous section, we discussed personalization, which is impossible to implement without AI.
AI uses machine learning capabilities to observe the learner’s behavior and determine their learning and educational needs. Based on the data collected, you can provide learners with personalized education and improved learning experiences.
Chatbots are another application of AI that is changing the world in many ways. The global chatbot market is projected to reach $10.6 billion by 2026, according to Markets and Markets.
Jill Watson, a chatbot at Georgia Tech, is a popular chatbot in the education industry. It’s a virtual teaching assistant that answers students’ routine questions related to design projects and exam logistics. It helps the teaching staff save a lot of time, allowing them to focus on more productive tasks.
The use of chatbots will continue to grow in the e-learning space as it saves valuable time for trainers and teachers.
4. Gamification
According to Microsoft, the average human attention span has already plunged to eight seconds, and it won’t be surprising if it depletes even further. Besides, it’s not possible to stay engaged and focused the same way a learner can do in an in-person class.
To overcome this hurdle, e-learning providers are investing in gamification. In fact, gamification has become a popular trend in the e-learning space over the past few years. The concept of gamification revolves around engaging learners by turning learning sessions and assessments into games. Each game is associated with a reward, which piques the learners’ interest and gives them a reason to stay attentive.
Gamification will remain popular in the e-learning space in the future years because it directly impacts the bottom line. It increases learner engagement and improves engagement, which helps trainers make the most of the learners’ potential.
5. Micro Learning
Micro learning refers to delivering bit-sized chunks of content so that the learner can easily consume and digest it without getting overwhelmed. Initially, this trend gained popularity in the virtual event space, where companies and event managers began dividing their content into smaller pieces to keep their online audience engaged. Now, the e-learning industry is adopting the same methodology.
Micro learning offers numerous benefits for e-learning providers, such as:
- Reduces the risk of overwhelming the learners
- Keeps the learners engaged
- Helps drive meaningful learner engagement
- Boosts learner retention
You can include micro learning elements like videos, info graphics, games, polls, etc., to keep the learners engaged and entertained.
The importance of micro learning also boils down to the reduced attention span. If you bombard your learners with a large amount of learning content at once, they’ll get overwhelmed and lose focus. To avoid this, many e-learning providers are embracing micro learning.
6. Hands-On Learning
Another overemphasized drawback of digital learning is the lack of hands-on experiences. Unlike in-person education, students can’t perform what they learn, which makes the teaching less effective.
E-learning providers are looking to tackle this issue by adding hands-on learning capabilities to their platforms. With the integration of hands-on learning, students will be able to “do” what they “know,” This will help learners understand concepts better. From trainers’ point of view, it’ll significantly improve the student experience and boost retention.
7. Video-based Learning
Similar to AI and chatbots, video-based learning is transforming almost every industry. According to a survey conducted by Wyzowl, 69% of people prefer consuming video content in comparison to other forms of content.
In e-learning, videos can help keep the learner’s attention for a long time as they are visually appealing and interactive. Furthermore, it is easy to consume and enhances learner’s engagement. With different assessments and interactivities, video-based learning is going to flourish in the future.
The rise in the use of video-based learning is also fueling two of the latest e-learning trends:
- Microlearning
- Mobile learning
Conclusion
With the pandemic in hindsight, e-learning has become a new norm among schools, colleges, and institutes. Moreover, diverse fields are seeking the e-learning way to impart knowledge and skills to the audience. Some of these fields include Music, Art & Craft, Cooking, Home Decoration, and many more. While the impact of COVID-19 has subsided, e-learning is here to stay, and the industry will continue to evolve. Therefore, it’s essential for e-learning providers to stay updated with the latest trends and elearning app development in the industry.