5 e-learning trends for 2019

1. Going mobile: Mobile e-learning

Our first e-learning trend for 2019 picks up on some major developments from 2018. Last year, we saw the demand for mobile e-learning solutions really take off. More and more organizations are catering to their learners’ need for always-on, always-accessible learning content. We expect that 2019 will be a time for truly streamlining mobile e-learning technologies on the content-creation side as well as on the learner’s side. Companies are catching on to the power of mobile learning, combined with some of the other major trends for 2019, like microlearning, big data, and AI. Considering that most of us start every morning by checking our phone, it’s no wonder that e-learners are keen to have mobile access to the learning content they need, whenever and wherever they need it.

2. Less is more: Microlearning

Microlearning is another trend we expect to see much more of in 2019. E-learning professionals have only begun to understand the power and effectiveness of presenting learning content in bite-sized, on-demand portions. Combine this with the rise of mobile e-learning and you’ve got all the makings of an immersive, always-on e-learning strategy. What makes microlearning so appealing though? Studies show that when learning content is reduced to very specific, easily understood goals, it’s much easier for learners to retain knowledge. A short tutorial video or single-point message also encourages repeat-viewing, which only reinforces its effectiveness.

3. Automatic learning: Artificial intelligence

Fast-paced advances in AI over the past year alone have made this a hot topic in the e-learning industry and far beyond. AI holds the potential to improve learner experiences, but also to enhance the content authoring experience. On the one hand, AI features like chatbots and on-screen assistants can help direct learners toward achieving their learning goals more efficiently. At the same time, AI features in course authoring tools can now help steer authors to create content that is more engaging, more effective and generally higher in quality.

4. Keeping track: Big data

The latest advances in e-learning software are bringing learner monitoring to a whole new level. It’s now possible to closely track learners’ onscreen activities, so that course designers and content authors can precisely identify where things are working and where things need improving. Data gathering and analysis can also help instructors personalize the learning experience. Now, we have the power to understand what types of content are most engaging, and what works best for specific individuals. There’s still a lot of development to be made in this area, but we’re predicting that 2019 will be a year in which the buzz about big data starts to deliver tangible results in the e-learning industry.

5. Better all the time: Continual improvement programs

E-learning is no longer just about imparting specific knowledge and skills. Increasingly, organizations are embedding e-learning into broader strategies for ongoing employee enrichment and development. That’s because e-learning provides the efficient tracking capabilities required for monitoring learner progress. Improved performance monitoring also enables managers to identify which of their employees are skilled in certain areas. This way, they can effectively establish buddy systems or mentoring programs in which stronger team members help their colleagues boost their skills to the next level.