Current Trends In Online Education 2018
Online education has radically changed the landscape of modern education. It is offering possibilities of convenience, accessibility, and personalization that training has never seen before. According to a recent study, the eLearning industry is expected to top $240 billion by the year 2023. For improving engagement, retention, and mastery, online education is producing a whole new set of strategies. These emergent approaches to content and curriculum are part of a whole new wave of learning opportunities distinguished by web mediation. Below are the current trends in online education.
Adaptive learning
Adaptive or personalised learning is an eLearning trend focused on customizing existing modules according to an individual’s learning path to their own personal goals, development areas, and learning preferences. It’s a more responsive approach to learning, much like targeted marketing. Learners are provided with specific modules, series of questions, and materials to improve upon those areas. Pre- and post-tests and regular performance checks are used to identify specific learner needs. Based on the performance of learners, the modules are provided to them. Areas, where a learner has scored low, are addressed/remediated.
AR and VR
Virtual and Augmented Reality is currently the hottest modes of implementing training as it provides a deeper Learning experience. Technological advances continue to break the barriers of what we thought possible. Virtual Reality has been there for quite some time now. However, we have exciting new possibilities in the immersive learning space with Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality added to the mix. Both of these technologies immerse the learner in a more tangible, realistic learning experience and offer a simulated learning experience that helps to develop various skills. Traditionally VR and AR were used more for gaming and movie experiences. Their application in learning is picking up now.
Gamification
Gamification will continue to be an important trend in 2018. Games are an age-old invention that has been bonding friends and families. Game-based learning and gamification have a greater impact in imparting critical role-based information, learning real skills and knowledge with all the fun elements of gaming. As the learner fully immerse themselves in the process of gaming it increases the seriousness in them. Gamifying the courses will help retain learner interest and coax them to take learning seriously by having fun. Traditional courses can be easily made interesting enough for the learner by gamifying the courses. By doing this the learners will invest their time and energy in an activity that they usually don’t enjoy.
Social learning
Research has shown that people are more successful when they work and learn within group settings. When learning is distributed or when sharing happens amongst peers, education improves. Learning together reduces feelings of isolation and increases the transfer of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences across learners. Social learning is not the same as social media sharing, though people tend to consider them the same thing because social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter are not for professional environments. With popular LMSs, like TalentLMS, providing social learning features to support this eLearning trend, it is becoming feasible for organizations to experiment with social learning. Discussion forums, question and answer pages, chat boxes, live chats, shared documents and folders help people share ideas in a collaborative environment and create an online learning space for learners to engage with each other.
