You are an L&D or a training professional and you want to create learner-centric bespoke e-learning solutions for your organization. So how do you ensure that your custom e-learning is matching with the current e-learning trends and you create a solution that meets the dynamic business environment? Well here is my blog which underscores how and which e-learning trends of 2019 can be included in custom e-learning content development.
What are custom e-learning solutions?
Custom e-learning solutions are developed to meet the defined learning objectives of the organization and are tailored to their specific context and target audience.
Here are the popular benefits of custom e-learning development:
1.Full control over the content, style, mode of design development, and deployment of the e-learning.
2.E-learning can be developed to meet organization-specific learning objectives.
3.Flexibility in updating or upgrading the course content.
4. There is no ongoing license cost involved.
5. Full ownership over the content developed.
How do you define an e-learning trend?
A trend generally refers to a tendency. In other words, the general direction into which something is moving, changing or developing. Hence, e-learning trends are the changes in the domain of e-learning and are channelized in a particular direction. It includes newer learning technologies like AR/VR, personalized learning strategies or learning facilitated by personal devices, etc.
Here is a list of popular handpicked trends to include in your next custom e-learning solutions.
1.Microlearning
Microlearning, as we all know, is a great method or learning strategy of chunking down of learning content to smaller units or chunks with individual learning objectives.
1.1 Why is microlearning an e-learning trend?
The strong buzz around microlearning is simply because organisations see microlearning as a way to solve many challenges in the corporate learning environment comprising the modern workforce or the multi-generational workforce.
1.Limited availability of time for the learners to spend on learning (The LinkedIn workplace report 2018 shows that the number one reason employee are held back from learning is the lack of adequate time for learning). The short duration of the microlearning content enables higher completion rates.
2.Information overload and low attention span(A Microsoft study claims that the attention span of an average human is below 10 seconds)
3. The retention and recall of learning topics is a cause of worry to the organisations and microlearning can help in ensuring better retention and recall of the learning content.
The German researchers reported in 2015 that microlearning improved the retention rates by 20%. The research also found that microlearning made learners take 28% less time to answer questions which ensured a better recall of the learning topics.
1.2 How is microlearning going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
To train the sales teams of organisations on specific products in industries like pharma, FMCG, insurance, etc.
To train the new joiners on products and processes in retail, hospitality, etc.
To train the operations team on SOPs in BFSI, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics driven companies.
As a quick reinforcement tool for field executives.
2.E-learning gamification
2.1 What is e-learning gamification?
Gamification, as we all know, is the use of game elements and game mechanics in non-game context and e-learning gamification is the addition of game elements and game mechanics into the non -game context i.e ‘learning’.
2.1 Why is e-learning gamification a trend?
The use of game mechanics and game elements in e-learning makes the learning more engaging and at the same interactive. Thus e-learning gamification has become the darling of the world of corporate e-learning.
The current gamification market size is estimated to be worth between $3 billion and $12 billion USD which is significantly huge and industry experts assume that the industry will continue expanding.
2.2 How is gamification as a trend going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
E-learning gamification will see an increased application in custom e-learning solutions like employee onboarding. The use of game elements, game mechanics like points, rewards, challenges, etc in the gamified onboarding e-module will make the onboarding experience engaging and interactive.
•To train the workers or employees on specific compliance programs in industries like BFSI, pharma, etc. Gamifying compliance learning can make it an engaging and interactive one
•To train the workers or operations team on specific technical training topics using gamified e-learning to make it more engaging and interesting.
•To train the learners on a various set of soft skills that are specifically in demand for the job role or industry. Like training the call center executives on listening skills that are exclusive and customised to the requirement of the organisation.
3.Personalized learning
3.1 What is personalised learning?
Personalized learning refers to the instructional approach that is optimized for the needs of each learner. Learning objectives, instructional approaches, and instructional content (and its sequencing) may all vary based on learners’ needs. In addition, learning activities are made available that are meaningful and relevant to learners, driven by their interests and often self-initiated.
3.2 Why is personalised learning an e-learning trend?
From the regular one, size fits for all approach of learning, learning is now becoming more personalised and customised to the individual requirement and needs of the learners.
The growth of technology supports the rising trend of personalised learning. Thanks to the latest innovations like Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, and high-speed internet connectivity, etc that helps the organisations to provide the best of personalised learning experiences by studying the learner behavior patterns, preferences, and choices, etc
3.3 How is personalised learning as a trend going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
Custom e-learning provides a myriad of opportunities to train the learners as per their personalised needs. Like an experienced learner can directly switch to the refresher and assessments, while a novice learner can go through each step of the learning content.
Further custom e-learning provides an opportunity for branching scenarios thus strengthening the decision-making skills of the learners and offering them a more personalised approach to learning. It helps them drive their learning objectives.
4.Immersive learning experiences like VR and AR
4.1 What is AR (Augmented Reality)
Augmented reality (AR) is when the real world is enhanced or changed through the use of software-based, virtual elements such as objects or text and other graphics.
4.2 What is Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment.
4.3 Why are VR and AR an e-learning trend?
According to a report from Zion Market Research, the global VR market was valued at $2.2 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow to $26.89 billion by the year 2022.
4.4 How is VR and AR going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
•Custom e-learning solutions relying on AR & VR can be used to train the workers in complex and specific processes of manufacturing etc. Like Oil and Natural gas manufacturing organizations are using AR and VR technologies to create a virtual learning environment that simulates the real environment to extensively train the learners on learning topic like offshore oil extraction and processing which is otherwise very expensive and dangerous for the organisation to train their workers.
•To train the learners on custom learning topics like employee onboarding making learning more fun, engaging and highly interactive. For example, the popular online learning platform Udemy has a unique onboarding program(Udemy Go) that uses AR technology to train their new hires and successfully onboard them. The new hires in the group go for a scavenger hunt by moving around, answering the questions, knowing more about the company, its cultures, etc in a fun and engaging way.
•To train the learners on technical topics like the leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing uses the VR technology to train their workers.
Boeing has created VR images of the body of the airplane, with detailed, exact visuals of the wires that have to be connected, the trainees are taken through the module and see exactly what has to be done, making training faster and easier for new engineers.
5.Video-Based Learning
Video-Based e-learning is a widely accepted e-learning trend that is gaining momentum like never before.
5.1 What is video-based learning?
Video-based e-learning can be explained as a form of learning and cognition to depute knowledge or skills acquired by being taught via video.
5.2 Why is video-based learning an e-learning trend?
•Video ranks in the leading spot when it comes to choosing channels for successful learning deliveries. Chief Learning Officer magazine also reports 98% of organizations to plan to implement video as part of their digital learning strategy by 2020. Thus, more organisations prefer to include and implement video-based learning into their learning strategy.
Video-based learning has opened up other areas of advancements like interactive video, 360-degree videos, etc and the increasing consumption of videos on mobile devices encourages organisation to increasingly prefer video-based learning experience.
5.3 How is video-based learning going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
•To train the learners on complex production process like the working and operation of machinery in a manufacturing unit using an explainer animated video.
•Video-based learning, especially interactive videos are now used by organisations for employee onboarding, sales training, etc. It gives the learners more control in decision making and provides an engaging learning experience. For example, ‘Will You Fit into Deloitte’ is an interactive video to orient the job aspirants or potential candidates who are looking forward to joining Deloitte
6.M-learning and the rise of learning apps
6.1 What is mobile learning?
Mobile learning, also known as m-learning, is the way to access learning content, using mobile devices like smartphones, iPad, tablets, etc.
6.2 Why is mobile learning an e-learning trend?
Increasing connectivity speed that enables easy and smooth learning experience on any mobile device.
The number of mobile apps is multiplying fast with 2.1 million Android apps and 2 million iOS based apps in the third quarter of 2018.
In the domain of mobile learning, The analysts forecast the global education apps market to grow at a CAGR of 27.46% during the period 2018-2022. Apart from the individual mobile learning apps, there are mobile apps launched by popular LMSs in the market serving the purpose of mobile learning.
6.3 How is mobile learning going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
To train a widely distributed workforce on custom learning topics like product knowledge and sales specific skills in FMCG or Pharma companies etc
To train the learners by delivering instant custom microlearning, e-learning assessments, etc on various relevant topics like a new product to be launched, a new application or a new compliance guideline.
Many organizations are also launching their own learning apps which are custom built as per the learning needs of the organization. These mobile learning apps are being used by the training teams to push across various kind of custom learning content-PPTs, PDFs, explainer videos, etc to the learners.
7.Learner-centric design experience
7.1 What is learner-centric design?
The term learner-centered is akin to “user-centered” focus of a product. If a course is designed in a learner-centered way, it means extensive attention has been given to the needs, interest, and skills of learners. From the traditional ways of designing e-learning, the new mode of learner-centric designs is now a rising trend in e-learning to curate learning experience for the learners.
7.2 How is learner-centric design experience going to blend with custom e-learning solutions?
•To train learners using responsive e-learning that is easily accessible across the devices
•To train the sales team of a Pharma company using micro-nuggets (on the newly launched product)for easy reinforcement and quick understanding of the learning content. Here the micro-nuggets are designed and developed with the interest of the learners, understanding their needs and requirements.
Here are the popular 7 e-learning trends to include in your custom e-learning solution. Feel free to share your views and suggestions using the comment box below.
