Staying informed in the dynamic field of eLearning development is vital for ensuring the delivery of compelling learning experiences. In anticipation of 2024, several trends are predicted to influence the landscape of eLearning development. How are organizations around the world grappling with the ever-changing business dynamics? How are they gearing up for 2024 and beyond in employee upskilling and reskilling? Online learning has become the most effective approach to empowering the remote workforce. Training can successfully help remote teams master new skills and boost workforce productivity.
Remote teams feel more prepared to face disruptions and adapt to change when they are suitably supported with learning and development. The prospects for eLearning appear exceptionally promising. According to the Gartner report, the eLearning market is poised to expand by over 200% by 2025, showcasing a remarkable growth trajectory.
Unlike traditional classroom training, the eLearning approach is more flexible, personalized, and cost-effective, and it perfectly caters to the training needs of Gen Z and the millennial workforce. Digitization and the growing use of mobile devices have resulted in the rising scope of the online learning approach. In addition, there is an increasing comprehension of how custom eLearning development is significant to corporate training.
Meeting the Needs of the New-Age Workforce: 10 Custom eLearning Trends for 2024
Let us explore the top custom eLearning trends to help organizations tweak their training delivery strategies to boost the overall training impact and increase ROIs. The following trends for 2024 and beyond can help transform your business and unlock its true potential by meeting the training needs of the new-age workforce:
- Microlearning
Although microlearning or nano-learning has been around for a while, it’s constantly evolving. In 2024, personalized eLearning is taking things further by offering even smaller, bite-sized content perfect for on-the-go learning. This seamless integration of microlearning into everyday routines makes it easier than ever to access essential information, no matter where you are. Furthermore, delivering short and digestible content helps facilitate higher retention and quick knowledge consumption.
Microcontent can be created to meet the personalized training objective in a specific learning path. This enables learners to access the content at their convenience, thus making every minute of learning worthwhile. Another benefit of microlearning is that short content nuggets can be accessed across multiple devices- a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. This ensures flexibility and helps overcome the challenge of a short attention span.
- Content Curation
Comprehensive information sources are available online, making identifying the most relevant content tedious. This is where the need for content curation comes into place. Curation enables users to access the most valuable information or content their instructor or trainer recommends. More importantly, curation helps organizations utilize the existing content and repurpose information whenever required.
- Upskilling & Reskilling
With an increasing shift towards remote-first culture, organizations have witnessed a change in how their employees learn and digest information. The traditional instructor-led approach is less effective in keeping remote teams connected and productive.
Today, soft skills are equally important as hard skills. Upskilling or reskilling on essential topics such as leadership development, communication, team-building, and decision-making have been prioritized over hard skills. It has become even more important for remote employees to hone their soft skills to remain productive. Effective online training on soft skills empowers employees to better fit into their job roles and quickly adapt to changing workplace situations.
- Adaptive Learning
The increased adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR)/ Augmented Reality (AR) has increased adaptive learning. This popular trend focuses on custom eLearning, analytics, and pre-training and post-training assessments to boost the overall training impact.
Adaptive learning creates custom learning paths to ensure every learner can get the most out of the training process. This also depends on personalized feedback to provide the right content for the intended learners per their specific interests, learning habits, and job roles. With these benefits, adaptive learning will gain more popularity in the next few years.
- Personalized Learning Paths
Custom eLearning in 2023 will focus heavily on personalization. Based on a report published by IndustryARC, it is projected that the global market for Personalized Learning will exceed $2 billion by 2024. Learners can access tailored learning paths based on their specific needs and preferences. Through advanced analytics and adaptive learning algorithms, custom eLearning platforms can deliver targeted content, ensuring a more engaging and effective learning experience.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML)
AI and ML will substantially transform the eLearning sector in 2024. These technologies will be leveraged to automate content creation and personalized learning experiences, provide real-time feedback, and predict learner behavior.
AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants will additionally provide support to learners during the entire duration of their eLearning endeavors.
Embracing GenAI within the field of L&D can completely revamp the way we produce and deliver custom eLearning content. L&D leaders stand to unearth fresh realms of efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness in their expansive eLearning endeavors. It’s a game-changer for those aiming to elevate their approach to learning initiatives on a grand scale.
- Gamification
The integration of gamification integrates interactive and captivating components, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, into the educational procedure, thereby amplifying its interactivity and engagement. Custom eLearning courses can motivate learners, promote healthy competition, and increase knowledge retention by incorporating game mechanics. Gamified learning experiences are particularly effective for skills-based training and simulations. Organizations implementing gamification techniques have the potential to achieve a conversion rate that is up to seven times higher.
Our comprehensive eBook on ‘Transforming Corporate Training Programs with Gamification’ offers you a comprehensive array of insights, strategies, and practical advice to effectively integrate gamification into your learning and development initiatives and achieve exceptional outcomes.
- Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Integrating VR and AR technologies has revolutionized employee training by providing immersive and interactive learning experiences. Custom eLearning can leverage VR and AR to create realistic simulations, virtual tours, and hands-on experiences.
These technologies demonstrate exceptional efficacy when applied to training in industries characterized by high risks or specialized requirements, as they empower learners to simulate and practice skills within a secure and regulated environment.
- Data-driven Learning Analytics
Data analytics is crucial in custom eLearning by providing valuable insights into learners’ progress, preferences, and performance. Learning platforms can analyze data to identify trends, measure learning outcomes, and make data-driven decisions to improve the effectiveness of eLearning programs. Learning analytics enables continuous improvement and ensures a learner-centric approach.
- Social Learning
Social learning harnesses the potency of social interaction and collaborative efforts to enrich the learning process. Custom eLearning platforms can integrate discussion forums, chat features, and collaborative projects to facilitate peer-to-peer learning. Learners can share knowledge, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions, enhancing their understanding and fostering a sense of community.
Beyond the Hype: A Look at the Adoption Barriers of Emerging Custom eLearning Trends
The future of corporate eLearning trends has exciting possibilities, but challenges remain, casting shadows on its path. Embracing AI, gamification, adaptability, mobile learning, and VR/AR demands substantial investments in infrastructure, training, and crafting engaging content. These advancements, however, bring ethical concerns and call for clear data privacy and security guidelines. As eLearning platforms collect vast troves of learner data, their protection and responsible use become paramount.
Furthermore, the digital divide threatens to leave some learners behind, excluded from the benefits of eLearning. Bridging this gap requires concerted efforts to ensure equitable access to technology and resources, empowering all learners to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Conclusion
Now is the time for organizations to reconsider their training strategies and adopt custom eLearning solutions that help engage, upskill, and retain the workforce. Considering the bespoke training needs, microlearning, adaptive learning, gamification, data analytics, AR/VR, or social learning will be the best approach for your workforce in 2023.
