Technologies for eLearning: Current Trends
eLearning still has a long way to go, not in terms of the principles, standards or the taxonomies it relies on, but rather in terms of the adoption of technological advances. This may sound strange because “eLearning” – the word that means “electronic learning” – is actually a mix of the learning principles and the latest technologies that support newer concepts such as CBT (computer-based training), WBT (web-based training), mobile learning, etc. However, the term “latest” is an attribute to be debated, and it is an open question whether the prevailing technological advancements are being implemented in eLearning.
Since the advent of the Internet, smartphones, and various other technologies, every domain has undergone drastic changes, both in their existence and their modus operandi. For example, the banking sector functioned entirely on the system of ledger and receipts. With the adoption of the latest technologies such as internet banking, mobile technology or even the very latest blockchain technology, the banking industry is undergoing and will undergo massive changes and make a leap towards technological advancement. Likewise, each sector adopted the latest developments, resulting in optimal resource use, improved efficiency and greater customer satisfaction.
However, the education domain is still in its infancy, where people still use books and other stationery to take notes and take offline classes for training; both are inevitable and crucial for a learner. However, the application of the latest technology in this sector is minimal, although it offers enormous and irresistible benefits. Some of the technologies that dominate the market are either not yet implemented in the eLearning industry or are at an early stage.
eLearning Adoption Technologies
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Today, this technology needs no introduction. Every business, be it an IT company or a manufacturing organization, has incorporated AI into their processes because of the primary benefit of minimal errors, reduced human effort and interactions, and lower long-term capital requirement. In several companies, AI has become a backbone or a framework on which other processes are built.
However, the wave of AI has yet to reach the shores of the education domain, as any teaching place, be it a training center, workshop or classroom, largely relies on the conventional teaching/training methods of book and paper, and offline lessons. These training centers/classes are starting to use the Internet as the mode and video/conference calls as the channel of training. There is still a long way to go for eLearning to add the AI spring to the cap.
2. Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR)
You may have watched 3D movies or experienced Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality through the latest games and playstations. As the whole world sees this newer technology through an entertainment lens, several eLearning companies are recognizing it as a game changer in learning and development.
A few companies have tried to embed and use this technology to train employees and staff. However, such attempts encountered a major obstacle: the development cost (ie the cost of developing the courses in VR or AR format). In the near future, VR and AR will become commonplace and development costs may be reduced.
3. Simulation
Simulation courses have been on the market for a while now. They are used in software and IT related training. They are usually used to train the staff in software or an application that will be used in the workplace. However, the main purpose of a simulation is to present a real-life experience in a virtually simulated way.
For example, a firefighter cannot be trained by deploying directly to an emergency. Nor will there be the ability to recreate an artificial emergency without impacting costs. To overcome both hurdles, the firefighter is shown a simulation in which he can learn and practice for a real emergency. Although it sounds promising, developing such a realistic simulation requires quite a heavy investment of capital and time.
4. Mobile learning
It may sound strange that eLearning still needs to introduce and add mobile learning to its spectrum, but the reality is that several companies still rely on the conventional form of eLearning, in other words computer-based and instructor/facilitator-based learning. A comforting thought is that today, several organizations are moving to mobile learning, due to its popularity or benefits. Both reasons benefit both the company and the student.
Final note:
The above points are according to current eLearning trends and may change over time. It is better to keep abreast of the trends and the needs and requirements of the learner to create a successful and effective learning experience for the learners.