The Top 8 Elearning Trends To Watch Out For In 2022
In the elearning industry, there are certain trends that dominate the market, and with new elearning platform technology constantly hitting the consumer market, these elearning trends evolve and expand to reach more learners around the world. What are some of these trends?
And what will they look like in 2022? Here’s a look at 8 of the top elearning trends that will continue to dominate the market in 2022.
ELearning Platform
Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is a trend that has truly arrived. According to a report from eLearning Guild, 67% of all eLearning developers now use mobile technology to deliver training. Mobile devices are powerful little tools; they allow for better interaction with course material and greater accessibility for learners on-the-go.
It provides just-in-time learning content, which keeps learners engaged and makes it easy for them to stay current on topics.
In addition, microlearning does a good job of eliminating time wasters; it’s simply not possible to get distracted when you only have five minutes at a time. Microlearning is perfect for increasing learner engagement, boosting productivity and reducing training costs.
By 2022, expect microlearning to account for at least 50% of all corporate training . . . if not more. And if your company isn’t already building microlearning modules now, they should consider getting started. To do so, start by reviewing your instructional design strategy (or developing one from scratch).
Then begin designing your first two or three modules—they don't need to cover everything about a topic but should provide enough information so people can easily learn what they need to know without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.
Finally, develop some supporting visuals such as images or icons. If needed, utilize free stock photo websites such as Pixabay or Stocksy (which feature quality photos under creative commons licenses) to ensure these graphics look great and are legally usable in terms of creative commons licensing requirements.
Scenario-Based Learning
Scenario-based learning, also known as case study learning or role-play training, may not be considered a true trend just yet, but it’s one that is certainly worth paying attention to.
One of its biggest strengths is that it can really help bring course material to life; though you can learn more about programming by reading Hello World on a page than you could ever hope to with an in-person instructor.
Similarly, other topics such as leadership and project management are best learned through observation and immersion, which helps explain why scenario-based learning is becoming more common.
For example, many experts predict that we will see a substantial growth in virtual classrooms over traditional ones in coming years. This shift should positively impact eLearning trends since it allows for so much more interaction between educators and students alike.
Gamification
Nearly 60% of all eLearning will be gamified by 2022. Gamification takes a traditional learning course and makes it interactive using gaming-like elements, such as points, badges, leaderboards and rewards.
This trend is expected to dominate in eLearning because it increases user engagement. Users are encouraged to participate more often and be more active in their learning experience when they feel like they’re getting something out of it.
As a result, your company will see better productivity through increased employee retention rates. The reason why gamification has become so popular is that learning content is being broken down into bite-sized bits which can be accessed anywhere at any time, providing learners with convenience while at work or on-the-go.
Most importantly, employees stay motivated as they progress through courses to gain levels or other rewards. Having training courses intertwined with entertaining games also makes it easier for employees to remember what they have learned since they are actually engaged in a fun experience.
It’s clear that gamification is here to stay, especially when you look at its advantages.
Personalization
Increasingly, eLearning and training are being built around specific needs. This may involve tailoring a program for an individual or even creating something unique to fulfill a special need.
As technology makes it easier to take a detailed look at what learners want and how they prefer to engage with information, these changes will continue to gain ground in the elearning industry.
As more companies embrace changing technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, they will also seek out methods of delivery that meet their learners' needs most effectively—and that's where personalization comes in.
In fact, individuals can expect to see high degrees of personalization as part of a larger trend toward micro-credentialing (also known as micro-degrees).
We've already seen institutions from universities down to tech platforms dive into offering highly personalized programs designed specifically for individual professionals.
Augmented Reality
Several experts called out Augmented Reality (AR) as a major trend that will infiltrate the eLearning industry in the coming years. The technology has been around for quite some time, but it's still making its way into mainstream applications and programs.
AR helps users learn how to use new technology or software tools, by allowing them to view how it all works. Some industry leaders mentioned that consumer-facing applications like Snapchat are making AR more accessible to average consumers who can then see how AR works and might be inspired to apply it in their day-to-day lives as well.
This could lead to an increased interest in learning programs that incorporate AR elements, which could help drive adoption of eLearning software and platforms into schools around the world.
Data Visualization
More people than ever are using visual data to help understand information. Data visualization has become more popular as a result of its use in journalism, education, medicine and business.
The trend is expected to continue into 2022 as technology improves and it becomes easier for businesses to collect data on customers and make informed decisions about their buying habits.
One example of data visualization is a heat map, which displays data in color-coded blocks or lines that show how high or low certain values are within a larger group. When done correctly, it gives readers an intuitive understanding of complex concepts quickly. It can be especially helpful for people who don’t have much background knowledge about what they’re reading about or who can’t spend hours pouring over text.
Data visualization will gain popularity because of its ability to present users with simplified information at a glance. Businesses may have to invest in new technology to accommodate these changing trends or risk losing competitive edge by falling behind other businesses.
Adaptive Learning
If you're not familiar with adaptive learning, it's where a computer platform determines your current knowledge and then tailors subsequent questions and answers to suit your ability.
The idea is that you won't be overwhelmed with too many difficult questions (and if you are, you'll have access to immediate support). The flip side is that students who are more advanced may end up bored or frustrated by easy content; adaptive learning technology can only do so much.
But since it's designed to work with all learners in mind, however, some brands have been able to create effective systems—and users have expressed strong levels of satisfaction.
Some even say they prefer it to eLearning courses! Given how promising adaptive learning appears as an industry trend in general, we could be looking at a big breakthrough here.
And even now, other platforms have come along that incorporate forms of adaptive learning into their curriculum. For instance TheLearning LAB, allows instructors to offer smart hints when students are struggling. This way, students receive just enough assistance for them to move forward, rather than getting stuck in a frustrating loop of wrong answers and low confidence.
Virtual Reality
VR is at a critical point and likely to evolve quickly. We've already seen some big companies announce their VR plans, and it's only a matter of time before we see an explosion of content.
It's still early days for VR, but there are already some great learning experiences being built with VR technology. Educators should pay attention as these new tools become more accessible and discover how they can integrate them into their classrooms to expand learning opportunities for students.
While tools like VR are great for learners, educators need to continue focusing on higher-level objectives beyond simply getting people immersed in a simulated environment.
Virtual reality may offer many possibilities for eLearning development over the next decade.
Conclusion
The future is virtual, immersive and personalized. Think about how technologies like augmented reality, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) have already entered our daily lives and changed how we shop, socialize and travel.
These are undoubtedly powerful tools for learning; envision what it would be like to practice skills such as sewing a dress, brewing coffee or repairing a car in a virtual world! Plus, AR, AI and IoT-driven solutions offer way more opportunities for content personalization—the best way to keep learners engaged. Still got questions on which elearning trends are best for your organization? Reach out to our team of experts at TheLearning LAB.
We’d love to talk with you.