In the last 16 years, the use of elearning technologies by enterprises have grown by 900% and 98% of startups and small businesses are preparing for adoption of elearning as their full-time learning and development structure.

The reason behind this shift is long-term benefits associated with elearning methods, such as:

• Reduced costs of training
• Increased revenue
• Improved productivity

And as the adoption increases year on year, there are new technologies contributing to this ever-growing scenario. Let’s take a deeper look at each one of them:

1. Microlearning 

Microlearning includes delivering small chunks of information in short bursts. For example, creating 5-minute or 10-minute videos for a sub-topic.

Why?

The idea behind it is to deliver only one aspect of a larger topic at one time. This makes the sessions more focused and actionable at the same time. If an employee is facing an issue regarding a subtopic X, they can easily find a learning module related to X. They don’t have to go through the whole topic again.

Since the delivery of knowledge is short and to-the-point, it is easier for the learner to retain knowledge effectively. Videos, infographics, tests, and small activities form some of the key methods to deploy this technique for any organization. Here’s some microlearning design techniques for a great learning experience.

2. Adaptive Learning  

Say you have 150 employees at the workplace, and each employee will have a different format/learning path based on their personal learning preferences. You achieve this by Adaptive learning, where the learning path is personalized according to the needs and learning requirements of an individual.
AI helps the system analyze data related to how the learner grasps concepts and what type of training should be followed by which concept?
This saves the learners’ time from skimming through the topics they already know and get started with the topics they need to learn.

3. Game-based Learning 

It is known that games generate happy emotions which lead to the release of pleasure hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Blending this aspect of games with eLearning is a trend which began a few years back and still continues to be a part of corporate training programs.

The key benefit of game-based learning is learner engagement, which leads to a higher retention rate and it adds value to the performance of the employees. Any successful game-based learning program will include following:

• Helps to solve problems, build hypothesis and develop strategies
• Keep people interested
• Challenge users but keep them satisfied with growing levels
• Personalized game-based paths
• Capability to communicate or interact with other players
• Shouldn’t be too easy or too difficult

Here’s How to Setup Effective Game-Based Learning for Enterprises

4. AR and VR Based Learning 

AR and VR have been a part of almost every industry and are leading the eLearning technologies trend as well. Similarly, both AR and VR are rapidly gaining importance in the learning and development industry.

Augmented reality uses a graphical overlay to increase the interest of learners in the content. In a way, AR helps in delivering an experience through which the learner can connect to the delivered knowledge practically. On the other hand, virtual reality helps in delivering a 360-degree cognitive learning experience. Some of the best implementation happens when safety-related training is to be delivered to the learners.

You can also combine AR and VR with other methods to drive brag-worthy propositions, for example, combining it with game-based learning could help you reward tangible badges to the winners or even move up the leaderboard.