When the Father of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, invented this technological game changer in 1989, he ushered in a new era of education with infinite possibilities.
The concept of eLearning is most easily defined and understood as learning conducted via electronic media and is synonymous with the internet. It has revolutionised the way the general population are educated with the greatest beneficiaries arguably students and the workforce.
Every year, workplaces benefit from the emergence of sophisticated, but most importantly, easy to integrate eLearning tools. We’ve captured a snapshot of what’s on the horizon for 2018 when it comes to eLearning trends.
Mobile learning: we live in a time where we are switched on 24/7 and for those learning or upskilling on the go, the myriad devices available to embrace educational opportunities are making life that much easier. From iPads and iPhones to Kindles, mobile learning is improving access to information, enhancing efficiency, and improving effectiveness of employees and aspiring careerists.
Gamification: while gaming and learning seem like night and day, the two have found a very harmonious relationship via gamification. Described by Wikipedia as “the use of game thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems”, gamification in the context of learning has been used to help with everything from professional and soft skill enhancement through to behavioural change. The benefits are countless – gamification strategies help to capture and hold users’ attention; they challenge while entertaining; and, most importantly, they educate.
Digital textbooks: this tried and tested eLearning asset continues to gain momentum and has made it onto the ‘what’s hot’ list for 2018. While hard copy based materials still have a place within education and upskilling, electronic copies are blessing students and employees with the ability to learn anywhere with ease.
Microlearning: the name says it all – learning in bite-sized bursts. For anyone that has ever tried to digest a lot of information in one go before finding they’ve been able to comprehend or retain very little, the benefits of microlearning are a no-brainer. Identified as a rising star for 2018, this eLearning tool gives learners total autonomy over what they are learning and when. With the average attention span around 90 seconds, brains hungry for information that they can meaningfully absorb will enjoy microlearning assets like videos, visuals and presentations that run for an average of 90-120 seconds.