In 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced populations across the planet to adapt to unforeseen challenges in innovative and strategic ways. One area that experienced a major increase in momentum was the eLearning industry.   

With international businesses and institutions temporarily closing their doors to curb the spread of COVID-19, various eLearning trends saw exponential growth that came to stay. Here at HALIGHT, our staff and clientele have actively participated in the transition from office and retail settings to working, training, and learning entirely online.    

We are dedicated to continuously improving our approach to creating rewarding and supportive eLearning experiences that will collectively benefit the needs of our staff and clientele. Through mobile learning, immersive technologies, gamification, video-based training, and microlearning, this year will be chock-full of exciting trends that will strengthen the eLearning industry. 

Responsive Learning   

In recent years, more people have been relying on their smartphones to quickly access information without having to dig through endless resources to find answers. Users from all backgrounds are turning to mobile apps, desktop computers, and social media platforms to work, study, and socialize more and more. Businesses and institutions have begun to embrace this by prioritizing their mobile and online platforms as the main point of contact between their brand and clientele.   

At HALIGHT, we know the value of quick mobile access to key resources. With that in mind, we re-developed our proprietary training software into a mobile-responsive framework. This means all training we produce and deploy is mobile-ready with sales reps in mind.   

We also know that, with different working modalities like remote working, employees are using a variety of devices to access their work and connect with colleagues. In addition to mobile-ready, it is important for platforms to be accessible across a wide range of devices for learners who rely on desktops or tablets instead.  

Immersive Technology & Gamification   

The rise of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) have transformed the ways in which users learn and process information. Since these immersive technologies complement gamification so well, developers now have the creative freedom to incorporate game-like elements into these alternate realities. Gamification give users the opportunity to actively enjoy the learning process by personally engaging with the subject matter.    

These alternatives to in-person learning offer engaging experiences that allow users to interact with real-life scenarios all from the comfort of their own homes or from the salesfloor.    

The possibilities are endless with augmented and virtual field trips, travel, entertainment, retail, and business environments becoming more natural in 2021.    

Video-Based Learning   

With more employees and students working and studying from home, video-based learning continues to flourish as users interact with video training, lectures, and virtual classrooms. Notably, while pre-recorded videos were popular before, more people have increased digital connectivity. As a result, real-time learning experiences have emerged to promote socialization and enhanced learner retention via video conferencing tools.    

Microlearning   

A standard component of the eLearning industry, microlearning allows learners to easily digest content quickly and efficiently as it is accessible on a wide range of devices – mobile, desktop, and video. This will continue to be a staple in the eLearning industry, with some predicted emerging trends set to further enhance its effectiveness.    

Emerging Trends to Enable Growth During 

The tremendous growth and modernization of eLearning platforms have greatly shifted society’s perspective on the industry. Now, more people than ever before are starting to understand just how big of an impact online learning can have on businesses, institutions, employees, and students alike, and this impact will continue to be felt in the upcoming years.   

As the industry progresses, there are two trends predicted to boost the eLearning industry to better support organizations working and training remotely: Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms. Each of these complements mobile learning and microlearning precisely.    

LXP are designed with staff training in mind as they encompass a variety of integrated technologies that support tasks like content aggregation, tracking learning activities and progress, and the formation of different career and learning pathways. On the other hand, AI will allow learners to receive assisted learning by chatbots, providing learners with additional support online.   

At HALIGHT, we are enthusiastic about the ongoing developments in the eLearning industry and what they mean for our staff and clientele. These improvements and modernizations reflect the new norm of working, training, and learning online and we are excited to continue  implementing these changes into the work that we do!