eLearning Platforms Learning to Adapt in 2021

eLearning in 2021

The pandemic is driving demand for digital learning as an alternative to in-person teaching. In 2021, time spent on education apps via mobile devices is expected to reach 4-year CAGR of 62%. The EdTech sector is also set to reach $325 billion by 2025 – a “$12.8 billion increase over the next four years”.

Professional Development

Working from home is the new normal, with many now seeing it as a permanent solution and not just a short-term strategy. Initial sceptics may well have been swayed after seeing the many benefits of remote learning. Video conferencing apps like Zoom have capitalised on the growing need for online education, with several companies following their lead to develop their own learning management systems.

In a recent survey 93% said that Learning and Development is either ‘important’ or ‘crucial’ to their organisation, with evidence to suggest that professionals are turning to digital training solutions for development.

eLearning for Schools and Education

In September 2020, many schools worldwide resumed remotely, relying on education apps educators and students playing “to Gen Z’s strengths: their mobile-savviness”, with a 90% increase in time spent across top education apps.

Schools have transitioned into eLearning, with Universities focusing on both remote registration and distance learning, to keep up with “both the needs and the growing expectations of a new, digital generation of students”. Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Google Classrooms are a great way for teachers to connect with students online.

With many schools forced to continue closures to comply with COVID-19 lockdown rules, parents have been asked to home school their children – often looking for new ways to help make this out-of-classroom education engaging. Apps like DuoLingo ABC or Outschool offer online classes with a twist; including teaching Spanish using popular songs and Minecraft to teach architecture.

Personal Development

Due to more time being spent at home and on mobile, there has also been a rise in casual learners, seeking to pick up on old skills or learn new ones.

m-Learning – A Shift to Mobile

With the accessibility of mobile and availability of 5G and high-speed internet connections, it’s no surprise that mobile learning is rising to the top of the class over desktop.

91% of global users access the internet on their mobile devices, with students from different age groups and stages actually preferring to use “applications on their mobile rather than via a desktop computer”.

Although certain features are more suited to, or better managed via a web view, mobile interfaces are continuously evolving to provide a better learning experience, adjusting alongside changing user needs and preferences, often with added features for interactive learning.

Learning to Adapt – eLearning Trends in 2021

While 2020 trends like virtual classrooms, interactive media and video learning are going nowhere, we’ve listed other prevalent eLearning technology and content trends in 2021 below.

Learning Experience Platforms

• LXPs provide a personalised interactive learning experience and help to create, manage and deliver courses, allowing users to understand concepts from both real world perspectives and in practical situations.

Microlearning

• Bite-sized learning usually includes content formatted in 2–7-minute bursts, to aid retention, which helps users to learn quickly and effectively. Often game-based learning/gamification is used, as well as videos, quizzes, podcasts and activities, or platforms like KREDO.
• According to Deloitte, an employee only has 24 available minutes per week for professional development. This is exactly why companies like Coca Cola use microlearning to upskill employees, often targeting specific topics.

Asynchronous Learning

• Platforms like EdApp are great for skilled professionals who value affordability, flexibility and self-pace, allowing them to manage programs in their own time, within their own learning capacity.

Artificial Intelligence

• AI is set to grow by more than 45% in 2021. It can be used to personalise learning experiences, interpret data and help make recommendations, which will improve discovery and findability for eLearning users.

Social, Collaborative and Holistic Learning

• Social learning tools for content and feedback sharing encourage collaboration, including workshops.
• Recent focus in many companies has been on making learning holistic, allowing users to be their authentic selves in their own environment. The emphasis here is that users don’t necessarily have to be behind screens to learn, encouraging creativity on both sides from trainers and learners.

eLearning, m-Learning and Carrier Billing

Identifying key users and adapting to their changing needs and user preferences – all while understanding that this could involve learning in a multitude of ways – is the key to success in this market.

Post COVID-19, while face-to-face training is not likely to ever fade out altogether, the benefits of eLearning in blended learning are clear. Many students, professionals and casual learners alike will use a combination of engaging training solutions, with new advancements adding to the ease of online learning.

Making it even more convenient to access online learning solutions, carrier billing allows users to pay by directly charging their purchase or subscription to their mobile phone bill. SLA Digital can work with eLearning apps and platforms to help them accelerate revenues. Giving their customers a simple and secure payment solution and allowing them to reach new audiences.

Talk to SLA Digital today to add carrier billing as a payment solution for your eLearning platform.