What does the future of e-learning at the workplace look like?

“The intent to leave or stay in a job is only one of the things that people are questioning, as part of the larger human story we are living,” says Caitlin Duffy, Research Director in Gartner’s HR practice in a new report that was recently released by the organization. “You could call it the ‘Great Reflection. It’s critical to deliver value and purpose.”

Companies can no longer afford to ignore this monumental shift in work values that took place during the years of the pandemic. This is why the future of e-learning at enterprises is critical. Learning opportunities make employees feel valued. So, what are the emerging trends in e-learning? What are enterprises doing to ensure that their employees are growing along with the organization? In this blog, we look into a few popular industry trends.

AI is the way forward

Let’s say you’re a car manufacturer seeking to enhance the technical expertise of your assembly line professionals. AI-driven e-learning can analyze their current skill levels and curate materials that concentrate on significant areas for improvement, focusing solely on their specialized area of interest. This leads to more successful learning outcomes. Thanks to intelligent tutoring systems, automated content creation, adaptive testing, chatbots, and predictive analytics, AI can augment learners’ educational experiences, create better-skilled employees and develop leaders.

E-learning is becoming more and more personal

The concept of personalized, adaptive learning paths has been around for several years now, but don’t underestimate its importance! A Gallup report says 55% of corporate millennial workers claim that they are not engaged in their work, but personalized learning can improve this kind of engagement. A personalized approach through AI-powered platforms, incorporating self-directed learning elements, enables students to access customized content, progress at their own pace, and get real-time feedback on their work, boosting engagement and knowledge retention. Ensure that your e-learning module is personalized enough to keep employees engaged.

Immersive e-learning is the big buzzword

Immersive e-learning technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for training, have already begun to revolutionize e-learning and will continue to do so as they allow learners to explore virtual environments and interact with new experiences in realistic simulations. Learners feel 40% more confident when studying using VR, as compared to classroom-based training. Plus, on a larger scale, VR learning can be more cost-efficient, making it a win-win for companies looking for the ideal learning and development module. A PwC study said that VR learners are 275% more confident about applying soft skills learned in VR than classroom learners. See if your learning module incorporates virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for training.

Nano module, giganto learning

Nano-learning is the new employee training strategy where concise and easy-to-absorb information is shared in smaller-than-bite-sized learning modules, using resources such as short videos. The duration of these modules is best kept between 5-15 minutes for optimal engagement. The content here is accessible, easy to understand, crisp, and highly focused. 

Nano-learning is in essence a subset of micro-learning. For example, microlearning can be used to learn how an app functions, while nano-learning will focus on mastering a specific feature of the app. A 2018 study revealed an 18% improvement in knowledge retention among students taught using microlearning principles. It’s time to see the big picture in micro-learning!

It’s game on now

Gamification in e-learning is another AI-driven e-learning trend that involves incorporating game elements like rewards, points, and challenges into educational content. Now, though this has been there for a while, gamification in e-learning is reaching new heights. In fact, 85% of employees are more engaged when gamification solutions are applied in their workplace. Also,  employees would love to see these work apps or processes gamified: training software (33%), communication software (30%), contact software (15%), project management software (12%), and document software (10%). Cisco tailor-makes gamification for different departments with games that are similar to computer games such as The Sims or League of Legends. Employees can advance levels and earn badges for themselves and their teams.  In 2015, Domino’s Pizza gamified its recruitment with ‘Pizza Hero’, a mobile app with elements such as a leaderboard and rewards that helped increase sales by as much as 30%. If you aren’t doing it already, it’s time to incorporate this game-changing idea into your e-learning!

These are just a few of the trends in the learning and development sphere. The e-learning space is constantly evolving, with the growing adoption of AI. Invest in your employees’ growth and development to nurture a more productive engaged workforce. Hornbill FX can help you with that. Ask us how to use the latest learning tech to get the most out of your e-learning material.