3 eLearning Trends For Corporate Training

3 eLearning Trends for Corporate Training
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Summary: Technology brings new trends and improvements in all aspects, and eLearning is no exception. There are several eLearning trends of which a few become the norm while a few fade away. Read about 3 trends in eLearning that are dominating the scene.

3 Popular Trends In eLearning

Technology! When you hear of technology, you think "advances" and change. The potential of technology and innovation has made eLearning a sustainable alternative to traditional learning, and the latest trends can be game-changers in corporate training. The best trends—those that stay and become the norm—are not mere whims driven by technology but learning solutions that meet the learners' needs.

eBook Release: Become An eLearning Champion: A Practical Guide for eLearning Implementation
eBook Release
Become An eLearning Champion: A Practical Guide for eLearning Implementation
Discover the practices used by veteran leaders of the industry and become an eLearning Champion

Let’s explore 3 online learning formats and how top-performing organizations are using them, right here.

1. Microlearning

The name says it all: micro (small) + learning (acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes). Microlearning is a small learning nugget—3-7 minutes long—that deals with a single learning objective [1]. It allows for easy absorption and retention and helps quickly close skill and knowledge gaps, Just-In-Time. As it’s a flexible learning approach, you can use it in a variety of ways to enhance individual and organizational performance.

Let’s first get some clarity on popular misconceptions about microlearning. Microlearning is not:

  • Chopping content into small pieces
  • A new concept
  • Of fixed duration (depends on content and objective)
  • Limited to just one format
  • A "single-dose" solution appropriate for every situation (task)
  • Just performance support

Depending on their function, microlearning assets can be configured in a variety of engaging formats, such as:

  • Whiteboard animations
  • Infographics
  • eBooks
  • Digital flashcards
  • Concept and process maps
  • Quiz-based modules

A lot of things can be done with these small nuggets. You can create awareness, gain learner attention, demonstrate a task, stimulate recall, and even reinforce learning. So, let’s see what’s new in microlearning.

Trend 1: Microlearning To Train Visitors

While all of us are sold on the idea of microlearning for training employees, a few top-performing organizations are leveraging it also for visitor training. So, clients, suppliers, contractors, customers, and visitors, they can all be trained with all the help of microlearning modules.

When you operate in a hazardous environment, educating visitors on the places/facilities they can and cannot have access to, the dos and don’ts, the protective equipment they need to wear, etc., is very crucial. Safety training is a must when you have people visiting your organization’s risk-prone areas. However, you can’t expect them to sit in a class or take an hour-long eLearning course on this. Instead, offer them video nuggets.

Microlearning assets do cut down on training time, but if you want to save further on on-site training time, you can send microlearning assets to your visitors in advance, on their mobile devices. This is how microlearning is being used in organizations today.

2. Mobile Learning

Mobile devices have revolutionized the face of learning. Mobile learning or mLearning takes place when individuals access information through portable and easy-to-carry mobile devices. So it truly embodies the concept of "learn anything, anywhere, anytime." Mobile learning is most appropriate for a mobile workforce as Just-In-Time performance support because it can be accessed through a browser or an app.

Like microlearning, mobile learning also has many misconceptions around it. So, let’s learn what mobile learning is not. It is not:

  • eLearning delivered on the mobile
  • Limited to a fixed time or format (depends on learning objectives and content)
  • Appropriate for every situation (task)

Mobile learning is also of short duration, and for this reason, the benefits of microlearning also apply to it. It offers flexibility of access due to multi-device delivery, higher retention, and Just-In-Time availability and it can serve both as teaching material as well as performance support. Mobile apps support offline content in any format and enable "push" notifications.

Trend 2: Mobile-First Courses

The mobile device is the first thing a learner reaches for to solve a problem or learn about something. And so, the mobile learning landscape is witnessing a major evolution [2]. From being optimized visually for mobiles, eLearning courses are now being designed for mobile devices first and for the bigger screens (desktops/laptops) later. This is exactly why this eLearning trend is growing so much in corporate training.

With this latest trend, your learners will be able to access courses even on their commute to work, while on breaks, and at home. With this accessibility, your remote workforce can easily access training, resulting in a lot of cost savings.

3. Gamification

Gamification is being used increasingly in L&D. Gamification is the application of various game elements and mechanics such as reward points, levels, and badges to the non-gaming context of learning. It uses a reward system to motivate learners’ participation, encouraging them to learn further.

You can use gamification not only for instruction and learning but also for problem-solving. You can use it to make learning fun and interactive and motivate learners to take up a challenge. This is especially effective for digital natives who are more motivated in a fun learning environment, avoiding the monotony of traditional training. Gamification can be used for training on several topics and has endless opportunities.

Trend 3: Edutainment Through Gamified Assessments

Taking tests has always been stressful, even for the best of learners. So, what can we do about it? You could, of course, provide them with intrinsic motivation through edutainment. Edutainment is a combination of education and entertainment and a vastly growing eLearning trend in corporate training. You can make eLearning assessments entertaining by weaving them in the form of a story [3]. Your learners will then be participating in the story, progressing through it by answering questions. When you make assessments fun and engaging, your corporate learners are immediately eager to take the tests.

Offer gamified assessments to your learners, modeled on the lines of reality shows or treasure hunts. One huge benefit of gamified assessments is better learner performance.

That was all about the wonders of technology in the field of eLearning for corporate training. Aren’t you interested in applying them to your training? And let me remind you that these were just 3 of the 21 cool trends for 2020. To learn more about eLearning for corporate training, get a copy of the book Become An eLearning Champion: A Practical Guide for eLearning Implementation, available in Kindle and Paperback versions! You can also download a preview of the first chapters. You can also watch the relevant webinar for a more in-depth analysis.

References:

[1] Microlearning Design: 7 Must-Have Characteristics

[2] 7 Best Practices to Create Effective Mobile Learning Courses

[3] 6 Questions to Ask Yourself about Performance-based Assessments