6 eLearning Trends To Watch For In 2018

2018 eLearning Trends You Should Watch For
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Summary: From the latest technological advances to bite-sized strategies for reaching busy employees, here are 6 cutting-edge eLearning trends to watch out for in 2018.

2018 eLearning Trends You Should Focus On

With digital learning on the rise and many organizations’ need to train an increasingly short-term workforce, eLearning is set to undergo some changes this year. Let's take a look at those 6 eLearning trends you should keep an eye on this year.

1. Video Learning

The video was one of the most popular learning tools of 2017, and its prevalence is likely to increase in the year we are now. Given the ease of visual learning, the video is a great medium for conveying information in a way that is both engaging and easily understandable. Organizations can create their own videos or have them custom-made. One shift in this trend is that videos are becoming more interactive. A step above watching a YouTube tutorial, the eLearning videos of 2018 will feature questions, branching scenarios, and knowledge checks to keep employees engaged and help them retain what they’ve learned.

2. Mobile Learning

We use mobile apps for learning every day. It’s no surprise that this technological shift is entering the workplace. With an increasing number of companies allowing employees to engage in eLearning on their own screens, mobile learning is becoming more widespread and more individually responsive. Mobile phones are an ideal platform for videos and gamified learning, another trend that adds fun to the training process and increases attention. They also allow for users to receive notifications, effectively personalizing learning. Look for mobile learning paths to replace formal, instructional training and for informal or ongoing learning options, such as apps that can be accessed on your daily commute, to become common in 2018.

3. Microlearning

Rather than offering an in-depth training program, companies can engage their busy employees by looking carefully at what they need to know and offering key learnings in easily digestible formats. In addition to the video and mobile tools mentioned above, microlearning can be achieved through quizzes, games, or learning paths. Effective microlearning is objective-specific, targeting clear goals in a timely fashion. Smart organizations can keep employees on point throughout the year by offering bits of microlearning when each one is most relevant.

4. Augmented Reality And Virtual Reality

AR and VR are some of this year’s most expensive eLearning trends, but they are becoming more widely available, and their immersive ability speaks for itself. VR is being used to simulate risky procedures, allowing employees in hazardous workplaces to effectively get practice without putting anyone in danger. It’s also effective for simulating complex situations that are difficult to train for on the ground. AR is being implemented through QR codes that give information about workplace equipment and procedures. With prices going down, more workplaces will invest in this groundbreaking technology as part of their training program. There’s no substitute for learning to do something by doing it, and AR and VR allow employees to achieve just that!

5. Content Curation

The internet offers a wealth of readily accessible learning content. When searching for the right material to teach your employees what they need to know, it’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed. Smart content curation will allow for workplaces to sift through these options, creating customized learning paths and resource libraries. 2018 offers digital tools for learning curation, including some that are open source, and this technique can be integrated with other learning solutions to offer workplace-specific content feeds. Curation can be paired with custom-created eLearning tools to provide a wider variety of resources as needed.

6. Social Learning

Social learning has a long history in education, with its effectiveness backed by cognitive science. Rather than focusing on solitary learning, social learning draws on collaboration to increase knowledge retention. Its strategies can include problem-solving, observation, and exchange of ideas, and its use brings a fun, informal climate to training. This year’s eLearning tools are increasingly incorporating ways for learners to share knowledge, such as forums and chat features. More organizations are also creating platforms that are inherently social, built for learners to work together. Social learning is set to revolutionize the eLearning tech of 2018!

As you can see, the year ahead is full of exciting developments in the field of eLearning. If you’re looking to design intelligent training solutions for your own workforce and you are overwhelmed by all the options out there, feel free to use these trends as a starting point in your exploration.

References:

  1. 9 eLearning Trends For 2018
  2. eLearning Trends And Predictions For 2018
  3. 10 Elearning Trends That Research Says You’ll See in 2018
  4. eLearning Trends of 2018 – 57 Experts Share Their Predictions