Future of e-Learning
In the past, no one could have possibly imagined amazing and effective learning technologies that are commonly used today. We are witnessing dramatic technological advances that are changing the way teachers teach and how students learn. Methods that were considered ‘science fiction’ several decades ago are currently a routine in the classroom. These days, students can easily reach different e-learning platforms and educational portals like 10 page paper writing services and access engaging content that can help them learn new skills necessary for their future careers.
The possibilities of e-learning are endless. It was introduced about twenty years ago and is experiencing unprecedented growth. Now we have access to a broad range of technologies that are constantly evolving such as mobile, virtual, social, gaming, search, and reliable user-generated content. This results in an exciting generation of modern e-learning solutions that means more great options and more challenges.
Recent surveys revealed that almost 80% of young people reported having taken an online course in the past. Researchers suggest that e-learning market may reach a global value of $325 billion by 2025 and will be worth over 4x the $70.6 billion market of higher education and traditional institutions and educatorswill have no choice but adapt.
So what will e-learning look like in 2025? What technologies will be dominant? There are several e-learning trends that will be further developed in the near future.
Mobile Learning
According to UNESCO, more than 6 billion people have access to a connected mobile device today. Moreover, the number of mobile users globally has already overtaken the number of desktop computer users.Mobile devices make learning more accessible, equitable and flexible for students everywhere.
Mobile learning happens on smaller screens and it is often undertaken on the go. This encourages instructional designers to develop a bite-sized learning paradigm and allow students to study in smaller learning sessions that are easy to digest. Learners do not have to spend many hours a day to go through a comprehensive course. Instead, they can access a few minute video that explains to them the specific things they want to learn.
Microlearning platforms give learners very short studying modules so that they can find enough time to study around their busy working and studying schedules and make the learning process more manageable and easy.Microlearning makes it possible for anyone to use different mobile apps and study on the go. This method also provides the flexibility that we need so much in our busy lives.
MOOCs
Massive Online Open Courses is a growing trend and a lot of top profile universities invest in this technology along with other countless online or traditional educational institutions.MOOCs make it possible for thousands of different people to take any course from the same educational institution online from anywhere in the world. Originally, MOOCs offered open free access to students but now we are witnessing paid-for MOOC-based degree courses. For example, Georgia Tech offers a master’s degree in computer science that is completely MOOC-based and that is more affordable than the actual tuition fee for 4 years.
Free MOOCs will remainbut monetization of MOOCs is eventually inevitable and according to some estimates, it will result in a multi-billion dollar market of accessible university degrees.
Gamification
Today’s learners like challenges, opportunities to develop strategies, and interactive elements. Since all learners like games, online courses of the future are likely to resemble exciting interactive video gamesrather than ordinary traditional lectures. Based on the concepts and studies of cognitive psychology, gamification makes any learning process fun and increases engagement and knowledge retention, providing learners with immediate feedback about their achievements. Gamification is expected to be a dominant way of providing learning material and it won’t be limited to teaching kids.It is equally engaging for adults so it makesthe perfect way to introduce various learning modules to company’s employees in corporate training. Games leave students with a very pleasant feeling of achieving something useful and productive while having real fun.
Virtual Reality
It is rather difficult to predict how virtual technologies will actually develop although they are advancing rapidly. But this topic is being constantly discussed nowadays and all experts agree that virtual reality and AI are very exciting e-learning innovations that will provide learners with realistic experiences.They could even incorporate recreated sensory experiences that include virtual smell, taste, sound, visuals, and touch.