Experts Agree: These 10 E-Learning Technologies Will Shape the Future in 2024 & Beyond

n the past few years, e-learning has become a rapidly growing industry, and many new technologies and learning trends have emerged to improve the way people learn. According to a recent report by ResearchAndMarkets, the global eLearning market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% between 2022 and 2027. 

The e-learning industry is growing because more people want to learn from a distance, and more people are using new technologies to make eLearning easier to use. We will shine the torchlight on 10 of the top technologies and trends.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Expert view: In the words of Gerald Meggett Jr., the Co-Founder, and CEO of CircleIn, "we'll see more AI and machine learning driving  adaptive learning experiences and assessments and helping to augment teacher support."

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are two of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, and their impact is already being felt. In eLearning, these technologies are changing how we learn and making learning more personalized and flexible. As eLearning continues to grow, it is also clear that AI and ML will play a significant role in its future.

According to a report by Technavio, the global AI in education market is expected to grow by $557.03 million during 2021–2025, growing at a CAGR of 41.09%. So, you might ask, what are AI and ML, and how are they transforming eLearning?

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can learn, reason, and solve problems. Machine Learning is a subset of AI that focuses on developing algorithms that can learn from data and improve over time. Below are some of the ways by which AI and ML are transforming eLearning:

1. Personalized Learning: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) enable eLearning platforms to tailor instruction to each student's needs and interests, as well as their level of mastery. Because of this, students can progress through lessons at their own pace, leading to better learning outcomes and improved long-term retention.
2. Adaptive Learning: AI and ML can help platforms adapt to the learner's needs. They can track the learner's progress and adjust the content and pace of learning accordingly.
3. Content Curation: By leveraging AI and ML, eLearning platforms may provide users with the most relevant content. They can analyze the learner's interests and history to suggest the most appropriate content.
4. Automated Grading: The use of AI and ML in the grading process can streamline the process, save time for teachers, and give learners instantaneous feedback on their progress.
5. Predictive Analytics: AI and ML can analyze learner data to predict their performance and identify areas where they may struggle. Instructors can use this information to give students more individualized attention and support, ultimately leading to better academic outcomes.

Gamification 

Expert view: One of the main benefits of gamification is that it makes learning more enjoyable. When students are having fun, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to learn.  As Karl Kapp, an e-learning expert, says, "Gamification can be a great way to engage learners and make content stickier." "It helps learners see the relevance and application of what they learn." The idea is especially true for younger students who are used to using technology and playing video games.

Gamification is a growing trend in eLearning, and for a good reason. Adding game elements to educational content makes students more interested and motivated to learn, leading to better performance and a higher retention rate. In fact, according to a recent study by the eLearning Industry, gamification in eLearning can increase student engagement by up to 60%.

The use of gamification in eLearning is on the rise. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global gamification market in education is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2023, up from $450 million in 2018. The growth is due to the need for better student engagement and the growing demand for personalized and adaptive learning.

But what exactly is "gamification"? Gamification involves using game mechanics and design elements to enhance the learning experience. Gaming elements can include point systems, badges, leaderboards, challenges, and other elements that encourage students to participate and compete with each other. 

But gamification is not just for kids. It can be applied to any age group and subject matter, from corporate training to language to healthcare education. In fact, according to a study by TalentLMS, 87% of employees say that gamification makes them more productive and motivated at work. Also, in a report by the eLearning Industry, 80% of learners say that they would be more productive if their work were more game-like.

Mobile Learning 

Expert View: Mobile learning can also support different ways of learning, such as microlearning, which delivers educational content in small, easy-to-digest pieces. As Craig Weiss, the CEO of eLearning 24/7, puts it, "Mobile learning is not a fad; it is a fundamental shift in how people consume information and learn."

Mobile devices have become integral to our lives in today's fast-paced world. They have transformed the way we communicate, access information, and learn. With the rise of mobile learning, students can now access educational content anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Let's take a closer look at this emerging trend.

Mobile learning, also called "mLearning," is when educational content is sent to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. A study by Verified Markets says that by 2028, the global mobile learning market, valued at $37.6 billion in 2020, will be worth $445.3 billion. The increasing demand for on-the-go learning, the proliferation of mobile devices, and the need for flexible and personalized learning experiences drive this growth.

One of the best things about mobile learning is that it lets students access educational content on their own time and in their own way. According to a survey by the Brandon Hall Group, 66% of organizations use mobile learning to support remote employees, and 42% use it to support employees who are always on the go.

Mobile learning can also improve learner engagement and retention. A report says that mobile learning makes students 35% more interested and 40% less likely to quit. This is because mobile devices offer a more interactive and immersive learning experience with features such as videos, animations, and gamification.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Expert view: According to Frank Furnari, the founder and CEO of VRtuoso: "Virtual reality can help to make learning more effective and engaging, and it can also help to democratize access to education." VR and AR let people learn in a simulated environment, making it easier to remember what they have learned. 

VR and AR are computer-made environments that let learners fully experience a simulated world. VR and AR can be used in eLearning to create scenarios and simulations that help learners learn in a more interesting and interactive way.

According to a report by Technavio, the global VR market in education is expected to reach $16.12 billion by 2026. A study by Goldman Sachs also says that the VR and AR industry will be worth $80 billion by 2025, with education being one of the biggest growth areas. These statistics show that VR and AR in eLearning are here to stay.

You may ask, "Why are VR and AR becoming so popular in eLearning?" The answer lies in their ability to provide learners with a more immersive and engaging learning experience. Studies have shown that people remember information better when they are involved in a learning experience that is both interactive and immersive. 

One of the best things about VR and AR in eLearning is that they can help learners feel safe while learning. For example, VR can simulate dangerous scenarios that would be too risky to recreate in real life. Thus allowing learners to experience the scenario and learn how to respond to it without putting themselves or others in danger.

Another benefit of VR and AR is that they can be used to personalize the learning experience. For example, learners can choose the pace and style of their learning, which allows them to learn in a way that suits their individual needs. Therefore, learning becomes more effective and efficient as learners can focus on the areas they need to improve.

Microlearning

Expert view: The microlearning approach is becoming increasingly popular because of its effectiveness and convenience. In the words of Elliott Masie, the CEO of The MASIE Center, "Microlearning can be a powerful tool for creating more effective and efficient learning experiences." "It helps learners focus on specific skills or knowledge areas, and it can be delivered in various formats, from videos to podcasts to interactive games."

People want to learn quickly and efficiently. That's where microlearning comes in. Microlearning is a method that breaks down complicated information into small pieces that are easy for learners to understand. 

According to a report by the Training Industry, microlearning is one of the top three trends in eLearning for 2021, as 94% of learners say they prefer to learn in short bursts. Let's briefly discuss why this trend is expected to grow in the coming years as more and more learners turn to this learning method.

• One of the reasons why microlearning is becoming so popular is its effectiveness. Research has shown that learners are more likely to retain information when it is presented in small, focused chunks. The reason is that the brain can better process and store information when presented in a way that is easy to understand and remember.
• Another advantage of microlearning is its convenience. Learners can access microlearning modules from anywhere, at any time, and on any device. Thereby making it ideal for those who have busy schedules or need to learn on the go.
• A survey by LinkedIn found that 58% of employees prefer to learn at their own pace, and 68% prefer to learn at work. Microlearning makes this possible by providing learners with short, focused modules that can be completed quickly and easily.
• Microlearning is also cost-effective, allowing organizations to create and deliver learning content more efficiently. Particularly important in the current economic climate, where many organizations want to cut costs while still providing high-quality employee training.

Learning Analytics

Expert view: As John Leh, the CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning, says, "Learning analytics can help to identify knowledge gaps, monitor learner progress, and provide personalized feedback and recommendations for improvement."

Data is everywhere. And in eLearning, this data is being used to create the learning analytics trend, making eLearning more efficient than ever before.

Learning analytics is the process of using data to improve the learning experience and make it more personalized. By tracking learners' progress and behavior, instructors and designers can gain insights into what is working and what needs improvement. With this information, they can make the experience fit the needs of each learner.

The global learning analytics market is expected to grow from $3.1 billion in 2019 to $8.2 billion in 2024, according to MarketsandMarkets. The growth will be driven by how popular eLearning platforms are becoming and how much people want to learn in a way that fits them.

• One of the best things about learning analytics is that it can engage learners more. By keeping track of learners' progress and behavior, instructors can see when students are having trouble or losing interest and take steps to get them back on track. For example, they might give the learner more help or resources or change how they learn to fit their needs better.
• Using learning analytics to personalize the learning experience improved student engagement by 34%. Thereby improving how well people learn and making them happier and more likely to remember what they've learned.
• Learning analytics can also help organizations improve their eLearning offerings. By looking at how many people finish a course, how well they do on quizzes, and other metrics, organizations can find ways to make their courses better. With this, they can make targeted improvements to improve their learners' outcomes.

Social Learning

Expert view: Learners are looking for more ways to connect with their peers and work together to learn, and socialized learning gives them the perfect way to do this. As Jane Hart, the Center for Learning and Performance Technologies director, puts it, "Social learning can help to create a more interactive and collaborative learning environment where learners can share their knowledge, ask questions, and get feedback from their peers."

In recent years, the world of education has undergone a significant transformation. Technology has made it so that learning doesn't have to happen just inside a classroom. Socialized learning has become the norm and revolutionized how people acquire knowledge.

Socialized learning is a way to learn that involves working with other people and talking to them to gain knowledge. It involves using social media platforms, online discussion forums, and other online tools to encourage interaction between learners. Through these interactions, learners can share their ideas, experiences, and perspectives, which can help them learn from each other and deepen their understanding of the subject matter.

The rise of socialized learning can be attributed to the fact that traditional eLearning methods can be isolating and lack the social interaction that traditional classroom learning provides. With socialized learning, students can talk and debate with their peers, which can help them learn new things and see things from different angles.

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Expert View: Cable Green, the Director of Open Education at Creative Commons, thinks that "open educational resources can help to lower the cost of education, increase access to high-quality learning materials, and encourage collaboration and innovation in education."

OER are educational materials that are freely available online for anyone to use, modify, and share. They include textbooks, online courses, videos, and interactive simulations. In recent years, open educational resources (OER) have been gaining popularity in the education field. More and more teachers and students are turning to OER as a good alternative to traditional educational resources.

According to a report by OER Commons, the number of OER resources available online has grown from 45,000 in 2007 to over 1.9 million in 2021. About 85.5% of students use OER for their online education, with 71% finding it easy to use. 

Personalized Learning

With the improvement of technology and the growing need for individualized education, personalized learning has become a game-changer in online education.

In simple terms, "personalized learning" is an approach to education that tailors the learning experience to the needs and interests of the individual student. By leveraging technology and data, personalized learning lets teachers give students customized content, tests, and feedback, which makes learning more interesting and effective.

The benefits of personalized learning are clear. Studies show that students who receive personalized instruction perform better on tests, are more engaged in learning, and are more likely to continue their education beyond high school. Additionally, personalized learning has been shown to help close achievement gaps for low-income students and students with disabilities.

A recent eLearning Industry report says that the personalized learning market will be worth more than $2 billion by 2024. Let’s look at some of the drivers of the personalized learning industry:

• One of the primary drivers of the personalized learning trend is the increasing demand for flexibility and convenience in education. With online learning, students have the flexibility to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Personalized learning takes this a step further by allowing students to focus on the areas where they need the most help and skip materials they have already mastered.
• Another key factor driving the growth of personalized learning is the availability of big data and analytics. With the right tools and technology, educators can collect and analyze student performance, interests, and behavior and use that data to create personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's needs.

Video-Based Learning

With the proliferation of video-based platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, people are increasingly turning to video to learn new skills and concepts. A recent survey found that 98% of organizations plan to use video as part of their digital learning strategy.

Here are some reasons why video-based learning is a great way to keep students interested and help them learn.

1. For one, videos are incredibly visual and can convey information in a way that is easy to understand and remember. Researchers have found that people are more likely to remember information shown in a video than in a traditional text-based format. The reason is that videos engage the eyes and ears, making it easier for people to take in and remember what they see and hear.
2. Additionally, video-based learning is flexible. Learners can watch videos at their own pace, rewind and pause as needed, and access the content from anywhere with an internet connection. Thus making it an ideal solution for busy professionals who may not have the time or resources to attend in-person training sessions.

But don't just take our word for it—let's look at the statistics. A recent report says that 72% of learners prefer to learn through videos over reading text-based material. Furthermore, videos are 12 times more likely to be shared on social media compared to text and images, indicating a higher level of engagement and interest from viewers.

A lot of companies have realized the power of video-based learning and now offer a wide range of video-based courses on everything from how to make software to how to run a business. Most of these companies' success can be attributed to their interesting and visually appealing videos, which make it easy for people to learn new skills quickly and easily.

Bottom Line

These ten e-learning technologies and trends are changing how we learn and making education more interesting, effective, and accessible. As the e-learning industry continues to evolve, learners, educators, and organizations must stay up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices to ensure that they can take full advantage of the many benefits that e-learning offers.