TRENDS THAT WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LEARNING FOR THE NEXT DECADE
Something about the meaning of traditional instructor-led training has changed over the years, especially with technology permeating some - then all, domains of the training room facilities!
These days, online learning enhances what we expect from the learning process and the learner experience. Many of the perks offered by traditional classrooms are now being provided by eLearning platform services, where you wouldn't be surprised to find a few additional features, like gamification, there too. Soon enough, you will see how the public’s appreciation for online learning has only grown over time: We already can see pointers towards this prediction as it's become a proved fact the number of surveyed recent graduates taking an online course has already reached 45% of the students.
So what are the most familiar perks which will actually have a great impact on shaping the future of learning? And what will learning look like in the next decade?
Because both education and technology will be evolving forever, the way technology will be used to serve the needs of learners will take several shapes and forms. Especially after the COVID crises; where companies tried the benefits of remote interaction with their teams and how there were times where productively improved when people worked from home. The channels where people will get coached and trained through, in the future, will dramatically change compared to the 'normal' we had five years ago, for example.
Major worldwide trends that are currently impacting the destiny of learning:
The first trend is with Learning Management Systems (LMS): These are web-based platforms designed to develop and track the progress and effectiveness of a variety of online training initiatives. Coaches may use an LMS to upload materials, such as video or audio sessions for their audience and as well assess their performance online. We notice how lately LMSs are turning out to become a necessity - not luxury- for most training and coaching purposes.
The second trend is Gamification: This is a technique used for developing educational games to improve the professional (or personal) skills of employees by using exciting online games, to get the participants to make the training concepts sink in and actually work on practicing their new skills. Gamification has added to the engagement levels of trainees, making it entertaining for the adult user to learn and accept change. It gives them a better learner experience and could range to cover developing the skills of people from anywhere between memory skills to project management skills.
The third educational trend is about Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): In VR, the participant will actively engage with what is going on rather than being a passive recipient. This virtual environment gives the learner a chance to explore and simulate a real environment. While in the augmented reality, it will be an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, possibly addressing all our sensory receptors. AR can be defined as a system that combines both real and virtual worlds to facilitate the learning experience in real time. Using both VR and AR technologies, learners can simulate real-world environments to achieve more first hand, practical learning.
The fourth trend is using robotics. Many learning institutions have begun implementing robotic technologies in the classroom. The trainer or educator will practice telepresence – where a coach, for example, can remotely connect to the classroom through a robot . The purpose of this is to bring a better learning experience to the participants.
As a result of the popularity of the above educational trends and in addition to the latest new economic and health restrictions which came across with COVID19 crises; new needs surfaced by adult learners, for more flexibility to learn at different times and in different locations. As learners explored and engaged with these new trends, they started building preferred options of how they would like their learning experience to be. In essence, predictions about the future of learning is seen to critically evolve as follows:
Learning will be Client-focused
Learners are not sitting in the middle of a physical group like before, which can make it easier for the trainers, or coaches to optimize their coaching to an individual level. The learning pathway, testing and upscaling of a participant will be based on their unique actual abilities. Facilitators will be able to see clearly which areas need to be given a priority when managing their client's development, and will enhance their knowledge and skills accordingly. There will be more effective and efficient one-on-one, participant-tutor interactions, especially given that tutors have various teaching methods at their disposal. Also, taking into fact that in most of online learning courses, specifically those which are streamed live, there will be a cap on the number of students who can attend; this will qualify each learner to get adequate attention and advice from their tutor. In that sense, they can focus on individual learners and make an impact with their progress, in a much more better way than they would, in a traditional face to face environment.
The Learning Experience Will be Better
People will have so many options to tailor their learning process based on their own preferences. For example, some will use Blended Learning, while others- pure online facilitation. Those shifting to online learning platforms will find that online learning offers convenient and flexible timings, allowing them to learn at their own pace. In fact, people who wish to scale up their skills can use tutorials and videos between jobs to have the best of both worlds. When people learn at their own pace and are encouraged to gain hands-on experience with online learning, this can offer them a better learning experience. When trainees can attend classes from places they’re comfortable being in, this makes them more likely to approach learning with a positive attitude. The lack of stressors and pressures from commutes, session timings, and personal schedules leaves participants with more energy to attend online classes with an open mind.
Project Management Know-How Will be a Priority
Managing people remotely and in an effective manner needs good planning. Trainers, coaches and their clients will, in essence, start to get acquainted with project management-based learning tools to be able to plan, follow up progress and measure results. This will have a positive impact on stakeholder's organizational, collaboration, and time management skills, and in turn help adult learners enhance their professional stamina and careers.
Technical Expertise on the Web and Using Apps will Improve
Skills attained by learners as they interact remotely with their mentors or other peers will improve their ability to utilize the latest best applications that enable them to complete their qualifications and tasks on remote basis in a timely manner.
Testing and Evaluation Will be More Effective and Accurate
eLearning assessment platforms will be able to measure students' capabilities at each step, rather than measuring their competencies through Q&A in one shot, which may under-estimate or at times even over-estimate their real capability. It is because online learning platforms can monitor the learner's performance gradually, on a longer period of time, while the learners are applying their knowledge at work or during projects in the field. This will only allow tutors to measure progress on factual basis.
Tracking users' behavior on the web is much more easy than in real life. As a result trainers and educators will be easily able to understand their clients' progress and learning preferences by following up on their clicks on any eLearning platform. This will help mentors, coaches and trainers to develop client- friendly courses based on where the highest levels of engagement are at, and involve popular applications that will help make the learner fully involved in the process of their enhancement.
Mentoring Will Become More Important
This is because the learners will have many options and choices during the learning process; mentoring will become fundamental to their success because they will need proper direction to what works best for them, is relevant to their work fields, development and learning paths.
These days, online learning enhances what we expect from the learning process and the learner experience. Many of the perks offered by traditional classrooms are now being provided by eLearning platform services, where you wouldn't be surprised to find a few additional features, like gamification, there too. Soon enough, you will see how the public’s appreciation for online learning has only grown over time: We already can see pointers towards this prediction as it's become a proved fact the number of surveyed recent graduates taking an online course has already reached 45% of the students.
So what are the most familiar perks which will actually have a great impact on shaping the future of learning? And what will learning look like in the next decade?
Because both education and technology will be evolving forever, the way technology will be used to serve the needs of learners will take several shapes and forms. Especially after the COVID crises; where companies tried the benefits of remote interaction with their teams and how there were times where productively improved when people worked from home. The channels where people will get coached and trained through, in the future, will dramatically change compared to the 'normal' we had five years ago, for example.
Major worldwide trends that are currently impacting the destiny of learning:
The first trend is with Learning Management Systems (LMS): These are web-based platforms designed to develop and track the progress and effectiveness of a variety of online training initiatives. Coaches may use an LMS to upload materials, such as video or audio sessions for their audience and as well assess their performance online. We notice how lately LMSs are turning out to become a necessity - not luxury- for most training and coaching purposes.
The second trend is Gamification: This is a technique used for developing educational games to improve the professional (or personal) skills of employees by using exciting online games, to get the participants to make the training concepts sink in and actually work on practicing their new skills. Gamification has added to the engagement levels of trainees, making it entertaining for the adult user to learn and accept change. It gives them a better learner experience and could range to cover developing the skills of people from anywhere between memory skills to project management skills.
The third educational trend is about Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): In VR, the participant will actively engage with what is going on rather than being a passive recipient. This virtual environment gives the learner a chance to explore and simulate a real environment. While in the augmented reality, it will be an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, possibly addressing all our sensory receptors. AR can be defined as a system that combines both real and virtual worlds to facilitate the learning experience in real time. Using both VR and AR technologies, learners can simulate real-world environments to achieve more first hand, practical learning.
The fourth trend is using robotics. Many learning institutions have begun implementing robotic technologies in the classroom. The trainer or educator will practice telepresence – where a coach, for example, can remotely connect to the classroom through a robot . The purpose of this is to bring a better learning experience to the participants.
As a result of the popularity of the above educational trends and in addition to the latest new economic and health restrictions which came across with COVID19 crises; new needs surfaced by adult learners, for more flexibility to learn at different times and in different locations. As learners explored and engaged with these new trends, they started building preferred options of how they would like their learning experience to be. In essence, predictions about the future of learning is seen to critically evolve as follows:
Learning will be Client-focused
Learners are not sitting in the middle of a physical group like before, which can make it easier for the trainers, or coaches to optimize their coaching to an individual level. The learning pathway, testing and upscaling of a participant will be based on their unique actual abilities. Facilitators will be able to see clearly which areas need to be given a priority when managing their client's development, and will enhance their knowledge and skills accordingly. There will be more effective and efficient one-on-one, participant-tutor interactions, especially given that tutors have various teaching methods at their disposal. Also, taking into fact that in most of online learning courses, specifically those which are streamed live, there will be a cap on the number of students who can attend; this will qualify each learner to get adequate attention and advice from their tutor. In that sense, they can focus on individual learners and make an impact with their progress, in a much more better way than they would, in a traditional face to face environment.
The Learning Experience Will be Better
People will have so many options to tailor their learning process based on their own preferences. For example, some will use Blended Learning, while others- pure online facilitation. Those shifting to online learning platforms will find that online learning offers convenient and flexible timings, allowing them to learn at their own pace. In fact, people who wish to scale up their skills can use tutorials and videos between jobs to have the best of both worlds. When people learn at their own pace and are encouraged to gain hands-on experience with online learning, this can offer them a better learning experience. When trainees can attend classes from places they’re comfortable being in, this makes them more likely to approach learning with a positive attitude. The lack of stressors and pressures from commutes, session timings, and personal schedules leaves participants with more energy to attend online classes with an open mind.
Project Management Know-How Will be a Priority
Managing people remotely and in an effective manner needs good planning. Trainers, coaches and their clients will, in essence, start to get acquainted with project management-based learning tools to be able to plan, follow up progress and measure results. This will have a positive impact on stakeholder's organizational, collaboration, and time management skills, and in turn help adult learners enhance their professional stamina and careers.
Technical Expertise on the Web and Using Apps will Improve
Skills attained by learners as they interact remotely with their mentors or other peers will improve their ability to utilize the latest best applications that enable them to complete their qualifications and tasks on remote basis in a timely manner.
Testing and Evaluation Will be More Effective and Accurate
eLearning assessment platforms will be able to measure students' capabilities at each step, rather than measuring their competencies through Q&A in one shot, which may under-estimate or at times even over-estimate their real capability. It is because online learning platforms can monitor the learner's performance gradually, on a longer period of time, while the learners are applying their knowledge at work or during projects in the field. This will only allow tutors to measure progress on factual basis.
Tracking users' behavior on the web is much more easy than in real life. As a result trainers and educators will be easily able to understand their clients' progress and learning preferences by following up on their clicks on any eLearning platform. This will help mentors, coaches and trainers to develop client- friendly courses based on where the highest levels of engagement are at, and involve popular applications that will help make the learner fully involved in the process of their enhancement.
Mentoring Will Become More Important
This is because the learners will have many options and choices during the learning process; mentoring will become fundamental to their success because they will need proper direction to what works best for them, is relevant to their work fields, development and learning paths.
Training and Coaching will Become More Cost Effective for Learners
Online learning is more cost effective and is priced lower than traditional face to face courses. Online fees often don’t account for accommodation, textbooks, equipment, food, transport and other factors that contribute to the full learning experience in traditional facilitation. In that sense, online learning will slash most of these costs at least by 50%; leaving participants make the most out of the costs they saved. Lower costs don’t mean a decrease in quality at all; but rather ensures that a wider audience has access to training and courses than ever before.
Learning Providers will be Able to Earn More Profits and Offer Better Services
More Students can enroll at once with online learning. Companies will be able to hire people from all over the world to be able to offer service 24/7 if needed. Another option is that providers will be able to offer pre-recorded videos and tests. These can have an unlimited number of students enrolling. In fact, providers can have thousands of students who simultaneously enroll in many popular pre-recorded courses, especially since there is no need for physical classrooms and seats; so more students can enroll in a single course at once.
Demand on eLearning Degrees will Grow
It has become easier to receive a degree or certificate online now then then ever before. Trainees no longer need to commit to a group and are often able to learn at their own pace. All they need is an internet connection to access the lessons and course material. In essence, Web-Based learning will become more and more popular as time goes by especially with the social distancing rules which became almost embedded in our everyday life. It’s expected that web-based learning will experience a surge. People will just enjoy the variety of set-ups available such as; e Learning, live streaming, video-on-demand, seminars, webinars, talk shows, interviews, and more!
Regardless of what mode is chosen by the trainer, it’s a given that the convenience and flexibility of web-based learning will make it more popular in the years to come. As the acceptance of online degrees and certifications become more prominent, the popularity of online degrees will continue to increase.
Top eLearning platform features: These involve, User-friendliness, Accessibility, Low costs, Reliability and Variety to use high-quality content from all parts of the world. According to HubSpot, 75% of professionals surveyed, prefer to learn using online training videos; similarly, 68% of professionals trust the online learning platform that they use. Having these features opens the doors for online learning to be quickly adopted by companies for training their employees and professionals, looking forward to up-scale their skills in a shorter period of time and will smaller budgets.
For employees, there is a growing trend for online learning to majorly contribute in advancing their careers. Online learning offers them a chance to achieve their goals while balancing their jobs and schedules. Online learners can develop their skills at their own pace and still keep records of their learning for future reference. This way, they improve their skills and knowledge while fulfilling their responsibilities within the company with much less pressure and stress.
The shiny side about all of this is, with the evolution of online learning today, companies will not have to build their own eLearning platforms to train their own employees. Instead, they can still work towards a higher-skilled workforce by making an initial investment in an effective eLearning platform for their employees and enjoy all the virtues of learning technology while almost manipulating all the forces going about in terms of economic challenges and worldwide pandemic to make one step further in the progression of the learning and development of their teams.
Online learning is more cost effective and is priced lower than traditional face to face courses. Online fees often don’t account for accommodation, textbooks, equipment, food, transport and other factors that contribute to the full learning experience in traditional facilitation. In that sense, online learning will slash most of these costs at least by 50%; leaving participants make the most out of the costs they saved. Lower costs don’t mean a decrease in quality at all; but rather ensures that a wider audience has access to training and courses than ever before.
Learning Providers will be Able to Earn More Profits and Offer Better Services
More Students can enroll at once with online learning. Companies will be able to hire people from all over the world to be able to offer service 24/7 if needed. Another option is that providers will be able to offer pre-recorded videos and tests. These can have an unlimited number of students enrolling. In fact, providers can have thousands of students who simultaneously enroll in many popular pre-recorded courses, especially since there is no need for physical classrooms and seats; so more students can enroll in a single course at once.
Demand on eLearning Degrees will Grow
It has become easier to receive a degree or certificate online now then then ever before. Trainees no longer need to commit to a group and are often able to learn at their own pace. All they need is an internet connection to access the lessons and course material. In essence, Web-Based learning will become more and more popular as time goes by especially with the social distancing rules which became almost embedded in our everyday life. It’s expected that web-based learning will experience a surge. People will just enjoy the variety of set-ups available such as; e Learning, live streaming, video-on-demand, seminars, webinars, talk shows, interviews, and more!
Regardless of what mode is chosen by the trainer, it’s a given that the convenience and flexibility of web-based learning will make it more popular in the years to come. As the acceptance of online degrees and certifications become more prominent, the popularity of online degrees will continue to increase.
Top eLearning platform features: These involve, User-friendliness, Accessibility, Low costs, Reliability and Variety to use high-quality content from all parts of the world. According to HubSpot, 75% of professionals surveyed, prefer to learn using online training videos; similarly, 68% of professionals trust the online learning platform that they use. Having these features opens the doors for online learning to be quickly adopted by companies for training their employees and professionals, looking forward to up-scale their skills in a shorter period of time and will smaller budgets.
For employees, there is a growing trend for online learning to majorly contribute in advancing their careers. Online learning offers them a chance to achieve their goals while balancing their jobs and schedules. Online learners can develop their skills at their own pace and still keep records of their learning for future reference. This way, they improve their skills and knowledge while fulfilling their responsibilities within the company with much less pressure and stress.
The shiny side about all of this is, with the evolution of online learning today, companies will not have to build their own eLearning platforms to train their own employees. Instead, they can still work towards a higher-skilled workforce by making an initial investment in an effective eLearning platform for their employees and enjoy all the virtues of learning technology while almost manipulating all the forces going about in terms of economic challenges and worldwide pandemic to make one step further in the progression of the learning and development of their teams.
