Top 10 Trends in eLearning Solutions & Development

As technology has continued to alter the field of education, new developments in learning styles have emerged with a variety of functions that are enhancing the learning experience drastically. Through e-Learning systems, these methods for learning have furthered the accessibility of learning institutions and their materials. Furthermore, these learning methods uniquely improve the learning experience for learners. For example, learners who use gamification are allowed to learn concrete material while enjoying a unique learning experience. Like gamification, each learning method provided below has their own unique qualities that contribute greatly to the e-Learning experience.

Custom eLearning solutions and eLearning development have been growing exponentially! If your organization is looking for e-Learning development techniques to incorporate in their systems, then here are some of the top trends in the industry to consider. These techniques have a variety of ways to enhance the experience for your learners. Whether you intend to teach students or train employees, these techniques will further your learners educational development.

#1 Microlearning

Popular for a variety of reasons, microlearning is a quick and easy method for teaching information. This learning solution presents small chunks of information in brief modules to learners and allows them to revisit at any time. These easy to consume bits of information are designed with the intent to help learners meet a specific goal on their learning path. In addition to being an effective tool for learning, there are a variety of benefits to using microlearning, to include:

• Cost and Time Efficient

• Personalized to Learners

• Unbiased and Purposeful Knowledge

• Can be used on any device in any location

• More comprehensible for learners

Microlearning is the perfect method of teaching for organizations who have a limited amount of disposable time for training, these brief modules can deliver high quality information without becoming a distraction. The adoption of microlearning has become a popular phenomenon in eLearning, and instructors anticipate the trend will continue to accelerate within the industry.

#2 Artificial Intelligence and Learning Assistance

Organizations with e-Learning solutions now offer innovative modules to their learners. With the development of artificial intelligence, instructors can now rely on virtual teacher assistants to help direct their learners through modules. For example, the use of artificial intelligent bots enables an assistive style of learning. Artificial intelligence within the industry has helped support learners throughout their educational experience in a variety of ways. Other advantages of using artificial intelligence include:

• Real-Time Questioning

• Natural Language Processing

• Improves Accessibility

• Generates Fresh Content

• Personalizes the Learning Experience

Additionally, these developments help personalize the learning experience as the technology can be used to predict learner behavior. Artificial intelligence has also been recognized as a new trend in e-Learning development for its ability to translate learning modules at a much faster rate than the traditional methods of translation. For organizations with globally dispersed learners, this learning technique has proven to be highly effective. While instructors may not be able to guide each student through the modules directly, they can rely on artificial intelligence to aid in directing learners.

#3 Mobile Learning

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the education system has made several adjustments to adapt and keep abreast. The development of mobile learning has delivered a multitude of benefits. This new trend allows learners to access their material whenever and wherever they choose. Another noteworthy benefit of mobile learning is that it helps instructor's better monitor the learners performance. As 67% of people access learning through their mobile devices, this trend seems to be moving eLearning into a new direction. While applications that allow individuals to learn concentrated information have become very popular on the market please, it won't be too long before high impact learning materials hit the market as well.

As a rising trend in eLearning, mobile learning is a great tool for educational purposes. While it has a wide variety of benefits, including its accessibility and flexibility, mobile learning is also highly effective. Custom student information system software (SIS) for schools: Public K-12, Charter, Parochial, Private, College, University, Higher Education, Day Care Centers, Preschools, Online and Trade have adopted mobile learning to the maximum!

If you are considering implementing the mobile learning technique within your educational infrastructure, you can rest assured that there are a range of training needs that will be covered. This includes:

• Formal Training

• Instant Learning Ads

• Informal Training

• Self-Directed Learning

• Social or Collaborative Learning

#4 Video-Based Learning

While this trend has been prevalent for quite some time, in recent years the use of instructional videos has propelled it into the forefront of eLearning. The versatility of video learning is one of its greatest features. For example, video learning can occur across a variety of platforms. While instructional videos can be contained on company sites and other how-to locations, learners can also find content on social sites like YouTube. Furthermore, video learning allows for the production of interactive, engaging, and visually appealing content; which will undoubtedly boost learners engagement.

Additionally, video content for learning purposes is fairly easy to make. The ability to use this technique as an e-learning authoring tool has made it very attractive within education systems. With today's technology instructors can produce a wide variety of interactive materials for their learners. Videos are a great medium for organizations to manage their training, as they can be used:

• To complement or supplement corporate training needs

• As stand alone instructional modules or as a connected series

• To promote informal learning

• To improve social or collaborative learning

• To support instructor-led training (ILT) and virtual instructor-led training (VILT)

#5 Gamification

Gamification refers to the use of game mechanics to improve learning engagement and boost retention rates. Although this trend defies all modern learning strategies, it has become a highly effective tool and contributes greatly to the popularity of eLearning today. One benefit of gamification is that it allows businesses and institutions to create both tangible and intangible incentives to draft successful training results. For example, an online course can be designed to reward learners with points or badges as they complete modules. Although these modules tend to simplify the learning process, they make the content more appealing to the learner. Corporate trainers and educators can use the gamification method of teaching to foster an emotional and intensive learning experience.

Although gamification is widely recognized for its entertaining elements, games that are well thought out, well designed, and address the needs of learners are more than highly-effective. As an e-Learning authoring tool, this technique allows instructors to create invaluable content. Content authoring software solutions using gamification is new way to improve the learning experience.

If this method of learning is well-crafted for serious learning, instructors can achieve the following:

• Higher engagement

• Better completion rates

• Higher recall and retention

• Quicker application of the learning material

• Proficiency gain

• Influences behavior

#6 Big Data

Another trend in eLearning is the collection and analysis of data for insight into learning behaviors and habits. The term, big data, refers to the massive amount of data collected from students' activities and their performance. From this information, instructors can gain a better understanding of where their students are on the learning scale and their style of learning. This allows organizations to adjust their training techniques to suit the needs of learners by harnessing the power of big data, organizations can better understand their customers.

For companies that are in the process of developing an eLearning system for their learning materials, you may want to consider how your application will collect and analyze learners' data. This trend is essential to the effectiveness of your material. Big data allows instructors to monitor learners' behavior and understand how they learn. With this information, instructors can adapt their learning modules and create a more personalized learning experience.

#7 The Debut of the Voice of the Learner

As more institutions and organizations have become interested in the collection and analysis of their learners' data, there has been a rise in initiatives that aim to uncover vital feedback on the learning experience. The Voice of the Learner, or VOL, is one of the initiatives that aim to increase the quality of feedback that is being received from learners. With the voice of learners, organizations have impactful insights at their disposal. The software uses a combination of platforms, survey tools, social listening software, and analytical capabilities to provide an accurate story on how well their training and educational programs are working. Additionally the software can highlight areas of the program that still need improvement.

The Voice of the Learner initiative is perfect for companies and organizations looking to prioritize improving their learning experience. Organizations interested in data collection would greatly benefit from the implementation of the Voice of the Learner. With the implementation of this initiative, organizations can properly track:

• Course completion rates

• Course ratings

• Assessment scores

• The impact of the learning experience on the learners' work

#8 Self-Directed Learning

This trend in eLearning gives all the learning power over to the learner. Self-directed learning requires learners to take the initiative when learning. While students of other learning methods can rely on their instructors' supervision, self-directed learning can be performed with or without an instructor. Custom Web-Based Training (WBT) Software Development with self-directed learning in mind has created a new way for students to accelerate their learning. With this method of learning, learners can choose when, where, and how they learn. This style of learning provides learners with control over:

• Diagnosing their learning needs

• Formulating their learning goals

• Identifying material resources for learning

• Implementing learning strategies

• Evaluating learning outcomes

While there are a wide variety of benefits of this style of teaching, instructors need to ensure learners are continuously motivated to complete their modules. Although learners being in control of their educational experience is a great benefit, it can also become a challenge. This style of learning requires learners to be dedicated to completing their courses and modules. In addition to being both a flexible and accessible method of learning, self-directed learning is also cost efficient; as the investment costs are relatively low.

#9 Blended Learning

This eLearning trend uses a combination of different learning formats to make learning more effective. For example, instructors can combine the use of video learning and micro learning to ensure learners are effectively grasping the material. Blended learning can also include face-to-face instruction; which is another great benefit. This method of learning will also ensure instructors maximize their resources to ensure learners grasps the material.

If you are considering developing an eLearning system for your learners then you may want to incorporate a blended learning method to ensure you maximize the quality of your material. Whether you are teaching students or training employees, this style of teaching can help you accomplish your educational needs. Although this method requires instructors to be trained in technology usage, there are a wide variety of advantages to using blended learning, including:

• Flexibility

• Highly Effective

• Empowers the Instructor

• Improves Learner Engagement

• Incorporates a variety of teaching approaches

#10 Immersive Learning

While the attention spans of learners seem to be dwindling down, educators are looking for more adaptive teaching solutions to help students better retain and preserve learning material. Additionally, an immersive training method may inspire a better connection between learners and the learning materials. Immersive learning includes:

• Augmented Reality (AR)

• Virtual Reality (VR)

• Mixed Reality (MR)

These three approaches to learning deliver a high quality learning experience that instructors can rely on. Augmented reality is the use of the real world and a digital overlay of information to convey learning material. The use of this approach provides learners with a level of real-life experience that is unmatched by its counterparts. Virtual reality, on the other hand, uses a completely digital environment to provide a synthetic experience to learners. Although virtual reality is more commonly used for gaming purposes, it is a great tool for elearning. It allows learners to grasp material that may involve hazardous behavior. Mixed reality allows learners to interact with both the physical and virtual environments.

If you are considering developing an eLearning software, you may want to integrate an immersive learning module of teaching. The approach is popular for its ability to enhance the retention of learning material. Fortune 500 companies, like Boeing, Walmart, and UPS are reaping the benefits of immersive learning by incorporating the technique into their worker education programs. While this method of learning can be a bit pricey, its effectiveness can elicit amazing results for instructors.

These trends have allowed education institutions to expand their learning experiences. Trends like mobile learning and video-based learning allow users to access training materials from virtually anywhere in the world. Improved technology in Custom Learning Management System (LMS) Software Solutions has spearheaded advanced LMS Cloud Solutions, Rich Learning Environments, Custom Learning Paths and responsive Integrated Learning Management Systems. This feature guarantees that learners won't be restricted to the classroom. On the other hand, trends like immersive learning and gamification have enhanced the learning experience altogether. If you are looking to develop an eLearning system, consider incorporating a few of these trends to maximize the effectiveness of your learning experience.

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