There are many emerging trends in the field of eLearning in 2020. Each of them is helping with performance improvement and adding overall value to the learning experience. In addition, they’re helping to increase learning engagement, encourage behavioral change, and maximize ROI. Here are the top 10 eLearning trends that you can start applying today.
1. Personalized Learning
It’s expected that the trend of personalized learning will become the new normal in workplace settings. Personalized learning is valued by learners because the content can be customized and relevant. The customization can be based on the current knowledge of the learner, the future needs, their interests, and certain cues such as roles or regions. Learners can get full control of the pace at which they learn, how they want to learn and what they want to learn. L&D (learning and development) teams are more able to effectively reskill or upskill the learners better than they would with generic training. The needs it can fulfill for employee training include leadership skills, skills that align with business goals, and practicing skills that will help the employee manage the current job better.
2. Digitizing Instructor Led-Training
More organizations are going through a digital transformation of learning due to a need to maximize the dollar spend. Instructor Led-Training is being converted to a blended or fully online mode. Online resources can be used to support ILT or transition to a fully online or blended training delivery. Tools that can be a part of digitizing ILT include mobile learning apps, virtual reality, gamification, and video learning.
3. Informal learning
In Learning and Development, there’s a 70:20:10 model that you might be familiar with. Experiential learning, which is learning on the job, accounts for 70% of learning. Social or collaborative learning, which is learning with or from others, accounts for 20% of learning. Lastly, formal training accounts for 10% of learning. Organizations are now starting to shift from primarily spending on formal training, to instead spending in a more balanced approach. As a result, more avenues are being provided for informal learning.
4. Social learning
Growing up, many of us learned a lot from our interactions with others in school settings. It remains a key way that we learn in work settings as well. Organizations are investing in platforms that promote collaborative and social learning. Learning Experience Platforms and NextGen Learning Management Systems are providing a strong foundation for social learning. While the impact of social learning is difficult to determine, it does help create communities of practice and can be used as a lever for continuous learning. This can even be done virtually these days!
5. Microlearning
Microlearning is the process of providing short bites that learners can consume on the go. It’s one of the favorite formats that learners like to use today. The short bites are action-oriented and help them achieve specific outcomes. L&D teams can use it for formal training, learning recaps, just-in-time job aids, and to support ILT or VILT training. The rise of microlearning won’t mean the downfall of traditional eLearning or macrolearning. Microlearning can be used to complement or supplement a traditional eLearning program. Traditional eLearning programs can apply the best techniques of microlearning to help increase learning engagement.
6. Video-based learning
The increasing use of microlearning, as well as reduced costs of developing, is contributing to videos trending upward as a part of eLearning in 2020. You’ll be seeing more of microlearning videos and learning pathways curated from public domain assets. Interactive videos are providing higher engagement through assessments and learning interactions. In contrast to classic videos, interactive videos are able to be tracked from the learning management system.
Video-based learning is useful for complementing corporate training, creating a series of microlearning bites, or promoting informal learning. As a part of performance improvement, it can be used to teach concepts, checkpoint a learner’s progress, or reinforce lessons to prevent them from being forgotten. If you’re going to be using video-based learning, it’s helpful to have quality voice over in it. As a voice over artist, my work involves reading scripts with a delivery and tone that keeps the audience engaged in the content. I use professional recording equipment to record clear audio that’s easy to listen to, making it simple for listeners to learn. Voice overs can also be useful for explaining the graphics used in the learning video.
7. Serious learning through gamification
Gamification is popular among learners because it provides a fun way to learn, and makes it seem less like a chore. While some question its impact, it can be effectively used to engage the current multi-generational workforce. Among the benefits of gamification include higher engagement, higher recall and retention, and better completion rates. In addition, it can influence behavioral change and help learners practice and move towards mastering the skills they need for work. This trend takes less time to design and less cost to create.
8. Content curation
Information can be accessed in an instant on the internet. Despite that, it’s still a challenge to look through the data to determine what’s really needed. Content curation helps with that challenge by offering on-demand, relevant content. It can be curated from the public domain and from a company’s existing knowledge base. The content can be used to keep costs down and support formal training. This is one of many eLearning trends that can be a way to encourage informal learning as well as self-directed learning. Additionally, content can be user-generated to keep the knowledge base relevant to the workers.
9. Learning Experience Platforms
Learning experience platforms are a way to offer learners a personalized learning experience that they can craft through learning pathways. The experience platforms also make use of artificial intelligence to understand learning patterns and provide appropriate recommendations, which encourages self-directed learning and exploration. Additionally, they offer content curation, facilitate user-generated content, and feature social learning. This trend of learning is relevant, engaging, and fun for the learners.
10. Learner analytics
Organizations are trying to focus more on the impact that training has on the learners and the gain it gives for the business. Learner analytics contributes to making these goals possible. It provides insights on a learner’s behavior to know what’s working and what’s not. Actionable insights are also provided to change or enhance the current approach in a way that aligns better with the goals. The analytics provide cues on what additional steps can be taken to improve learner engagement, learner motivation, and facilitate the application of learning.
All of these elearning trends are pushing the way forward in the industry of eLearning. By making use of these trends, you can improve the development of your workers and enhance the success of your work training.
Top 10 eLearning trends of 2020! by Kate Marvin
