Do you remember the early days of the online learning industry? If you took any online course more than a decade ago, you’ll recall yourself thinking: “It’s not much different than a usual course.” We got lengthy lectures and textbooks, and assignments that prompted us to paper writing services for assistance. The only difference was our ability to go through the course at our own pace.
Things have changed.
Online courses have come a long way from those boring lectures we once saw. The e-learning industry has evolved so much that it almost seems futuristic.
It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to learn. Maybe you’re into investing, or you want to learn languages online. The latest trends are applicable to all niches, so we all benefit from them.
Interested?
Let’s go through the coolest trends that change the way we learn.
7 Content Trends that Make E-learning More Fun
1. VR and AR
Technological innovations let us play better games. The progress of VR and AR technology (virtual reality and augmented reality) is closely related to the gaming industry, but that doesn’t mean it stays there.
We can turn any space into an environment that’s ready to explore. If we learn about the universe, we can see it around us. If we learn about industrial technology, we can be virtually present in a plant. This technology is especially important for corporate learning. Instead of sending employees away to develop new skills, companies benefit with lower expenses and greater convenience.
We haven’t seen the best of virtual and augmented reality in e-learning yet. But as the trend progresses and more learners get their devices, it won’t be unusual for AR and VR to be included in every online course of the future.
2. Big data and personalized learning
Big data has been a predominant theme in e-learning industry trends. Instead of developing content by intuition or experience, developers are gravitating toward meeting the learner’s needs. Real-time data collection and advanced analytics help course developers understand what their learners struggle with. By introducing changes based on data instead of assumptions, they help each individual learn at his or her own pace.
If course developers notice performance deficiencies, they can introduce various types of projects learners can choose from. By adapting the program to their needs, they will avoid the need to find the dissertation help online. If they notice most learners cannot complete the assignments on time, they can offer a different, more flexible plan.
The generic curriculum is a thing of the past. We’re eager to see how course developers will use big data to make learning more personalized.
3. Microlearning
People are in a hurry. They don’t have the time to sit through a course for hours per week. Most people want to learn, but the volume of online courses is overwhelming. When they realize they would have to hire the paper writers for weekly assignments, they start having doubts. “I know I can’t handle this workload and I know I can delegate part of the work. But learning still takes time and I can’t fit it in my schedule. Maybe next month.”
Course developers finally are understanding this. Instead of 40-minute lectures, lengthy coursework materials, and challenging assignments, we’re starting to see 5- to 10-minute lectures that learners can easily fit in their daily schedule. The learning materials are focused on a single page, and the assignments are more specific.
As a concept, microlearning is changing the industry, making the learning process more convenient.
4. Learner-driven content
The so-called adaptive learning model is a big step forward from instructor-led training. Course developers get information through surveys from students, so they subject their content to changes all the time.
Adaptive learning leverages big data and direct student experiences to personalize the content to a high level.
5. Social learning
When online learning appeared as a concept, there was one major disadvantage associated with it: isolation. Learner would engage in this process all alone. If they had any questions for the lecturer, they could send an e-mail. But large courses with hundreds of students make correspondence with the lecturer more difficult. And let’s not forget that these lecturers also may be engaged as university professors.
Social learning solved that problem. Coursera and most other platforms include discussion forums for each course. Instead of going through the Internet to find writers who could explain certain concepts, the students help each other. Discussions are useful not only for getting explanations, but for developing critical thinking skills, as well.
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are also part of the social learning trend.
6. Storytelling
It’s not unusual for lecturers to use cartoon-like characters to depict even the most complex concepts that they teach. De-Mystifying Mindfulness, one of the most popular courses on Coursera, relies on that storytelling approach.
It doesn’t matter what age group the course targets. It has to promote a fun learning experience and make the lessons easy to remember. Storytelling is a great approach to e-learning content development, and I’m happy to see more educators relying on it.
7. Content developed for continuous learning
Online learning is not only for those who want to learn new things. Skills are becoming obsolete at a fast rate nowadays, so employees across industries must continuously build on it. Professionals in software engineering, accounting, law, manufacturing, marketing, and other niches depend on online resources for constant training.
For example, look at the writers from assignment help services. They developed their academic writing skills while they were still at university. But that might have been a long time ago. Today’s students have different demands for their projects. If the writers don’t keep up with the industry, their skills will become obsolete.
Thanks to Coursera, edX, Udacity, YouTube, and other resources, this is possible. We’re seeing online courses developed in series, which help people build on their current skills.
It’s Great to See Progress
Continuous, personalized learning in small bites through a storytelling approach—that sums up the future of the e-learning industry. These trends are not definite. They will keep evolving, along with technology and new teaching styles. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
Tiffany Harper is a training guru who has been working in the corporate sector for more than a decade. She is a management graduate and loves to share her experience through blogs and articles, like paper writing service review and best essays. For her love of writing, she also provides freelance custom essay writing as an essay writer while working for assignment help UK.
