Trends in eLearning

Theme: Trends in eLearning

Even a cursory examination of the training marketplace shows, eLearning (also commonly referenced as e-learning or e learning) represents a rapidly developing industry. However, an important part of the dramatic growth can be attributed to the fact that more businesses, rather than just academic institutions, are embracing and developing online training solutions. Research indicates online training, as a methodology and toolset, supports the needs of both business and customer demands. Cloud-based software is making it easier and cost-effective for businesses to update their training materials. eLearning platforms support cost-effective customization allowing highly specific training and organizational needs to be met based on the employee audience.

Educational institutions and business organizations continue to embrace the benefits of online training classes and solutions. It has become a key tool for organizations seeking to gain a competitive advantage by upgrading their corporate training strategies in a highly accountable way. In fact, the corporate online training market is expected to grow by 13 percent per year through next year (2018). Today, 77 percent of domestic companies offer some form of online corporate training to improve the professional development of their employees (Pappas, 2015). As the shift towards broader corporate eLearning evaluation continues, organizations have begun to supplement or even replace traditional instructor-led employee training with eLearning methods (Yashchin, 2014). Per a survey from the American Society of Training and Development, instructor-led classroom hours dropped 17 percent at Fortune 500 companies from 2006 to 2012. Meanwhile, technology-based learning time increased 29 percent.

Technology-based learning has increased 29%

Instructor-led learning has decreased 17%

The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) model continues to show its strength and influence in the wider eLearning marketplace. This form of instruction emerged a decade ago, initially among academic institutions as an online alternative to traditional correspondence courses. These MOOC offerings include videos of lectures, assigned readings and problem sets as well as interactive features with instructors and other students.

In their early years, many high-profile universities including Harvard, Stanford and MIT began offering such courses, often tuition-free. For-profit and non-profit organizations created their own courses or partnered with universities. Today, online training statistics and adoption rates suggest professionals increasingly expect a future employer to offer eLearning as they seek to polish their resumes. Employers seek to stay competitive by providing employees with advanced training. For example, MOOC providers have been increasing their advanced offerings in areas such as business management and computer science. LinkedIn® has partnered with some MOOC providers to create a “direct to profile” certification program that adds completed courses and certifications to individuals’ online profiles. Seventy percent of firms surveyed by a consulting firm said they were interested in exploring the use of MOOCs for corporate training, and 31 percent already had plans to do so (Bersin, 2013).

eLearning market trends suggest many factors driving growth for the category. These same factors also impact emerging trends within its platforms and systems. This white paper takes a closer look at key eLearning trends continuing to gain popularity:

• Personalized Learning
• Big Data and the Cloud
• Mobile Devices