Today, the eLearning market is not only useful but also quite profitable. Thus, according to Statista analysts, its profitability will amount to $185.20 billion in 2024 and about $279.30 billion by 2029 inclusive.

This flourishing of digital learning systems began during the Covid-19 pandemic, but quickly turned into a trend that is still relevant today.

That’s because eLearning has a number of advantages over traditional learning:

• Flexibility and convenience. The student chooses what and when to study, can skip classes, and set priorities for themselves.
• Cost-effectiveness. No need to pay for transport, books, etc.
• A wide range of options. Any topic, depth of training, certification.
• Improved learning experience. Full inclusivity of the process and flexible schedule.
• Improved technological skills. Interaction with platform tools develops student skills.
• Self-discipline and responsibility. To achieve results, you need diligence and self-control.
• Global networking opportunities. Any languages, materials, and subject matter.
• Scalability and accessibility. You can start with the basics and gradually delve into subjects.
  

In fact, these advantages have become the catalysts for the development of eLearning platforms. Today, you will learn about current trends in the segment and subjective forecasts for its modernization.

There are a lot of trends in online learning today. However, only a few of them are really important for the industry to the extent that they deserve special attention. Here they are:

• Mobile Learning.
• Personalized Learning Experiences.
• Microlearning.
• Gamification.
• Virtual and Augmented Reality.
• Artificial Intelligence in Learning.
• Video Learning.
• Social Learning.
• Immersive Learning.
  

Below, we will briefly review each of the points listed and define why this trend is interesting for users and platform owners.

One of the innovations in eLearning is the support for smartphones, tablets, and other portable personal devices. Yes, it is more convenient to study from bed than sitting in a classroom with a group of other students.

Mobile learning allows you to study materials through audio versions of lectures on the go. Therefore, in today’s world, where calm and static are gradually fading into the background, this trend is quite logical and understandable.

It also improves the level of audience coverage and provides access to training to everyone, without exception, who has a mobile device and a reliable network connection.

Thus, this trend opens up the current list and clearly demonstrates how technology can change the processes that are familiar to everyone.

Another online education trend is the personalization of the learning process. Thus, modern platforms should understand the needs and potential of students and offer them an appropriate learning algorithm. For example, if a user already has some experience and knowledge, it makes sense to offer an advanced course instead of a standard one with initial stages.

Different methods can be used for this purpose, from simply selecting a part of the training to checking the client’s knowledge through testing or other types of assessment.

Some current platforms have already integrated this methodology into their learning processes, but for the most part, they still offer users a full course of studying a subject without taking into account the current level of knowledge.

One of the current course trends is microlearning. Instead of forcing the platform user to study a subject globally, the resource can provide them with access to certain qualifications. For example, when a student needs to learn Selenium, an introduction to QA and automation course may be somewhat superfluous.

In fact, this applies to all skills and areas of study. Currently, visitors to educational platforms are short on time, so the more valuable and relevant the materials and training, the more efficiently the student will master the skill. This means that they will visit the platform again when needed, rather than looking for more convenient and personalized alternatives.

Game-based learning can be an effective solution if the platform works with many categories and age groups of users. It is a system of rewards, achievements, and other types of incentives that encourage students to work harder on their studies.

For example, if a user completes a course and passes an intermediate test, they can get a mark in their profile, a certain percentage of discounts for a related course, etc. Another example is the gamification of the learning process itself, which occurs through interaction with interactive screens.

In general, there are many formats of gamification of learning designed for different users, subjects, specializations, etc. Therefore, it sometimes makes sense to combine several forms in the context of a single platform to reach a wider audience.

Another trend in learning is the combination of conventional and interactive learning. For example, if we are talking about history, it makes sense to use a virtual reality headset to “place” a student in a virtual event (simulation or modeled scene). This will improve the learning effect and consolidate new knowledge.

For other fields, it can be other environments, such as an operating room for surgeons, a server room for IT architects and engineers, etc.

In fact, there are many such cases. And the most important thing is that interactive learning now requires only special equipment, such as glasses or a virtual reality helmet.

It’s clear that not everyone is ready to pay more than $3500 for an Apple Vision Pro, but prices for such devices will continue to fall, so it makes sense to invest in their support right away.

The eLearning future has already partially arrived. This is evidenced by the massive introduction of artificial intelligence into various learning platforms. And this has its advantages, for example:

• Automation and personalization of the educational process.
• Selection of really valuable learning materials and courses based on the analysis of user behavior and priorities.
• Creating new manuals for different specializations, again based on the results of analysis and machine learning.
• Collect feedback and update materials in accordance with the requirements and needs of the audience.
• Training bots and their accelerated development for use in related segments.
  

Yes, in fact, this trend can fundamentally change the entire educational system, which will continue to be based on the model of rapid generation of explanations and answers to questions of interest to users. However, this is a prospect for the future when AI will have a better system of perceiving students’ needs.

One of the eLearning trends, which is actually more of a variant than something new and progressive. Thus, some students in the US jokingly say: “A Hindu from YouTube will teach you more than a teacher at school or university”.

Okay, it was a joke, but educational videos are really viral in the public domain. Therefore, their proliferation on educational platforms is not surprising.

The trend towards video learning, both streaming and recorded, is a valuable asset, as it allows for a more realistic perception of the educational process, interaction with it, and visualization. For example, when a lecturer shares infographics, tables, models, or anything that clearly demonstrates how a particular subject works.

Socialization is also an educational trend that introduces elements of gamification and partly competition into the educational process. And no, it’s not about grading but rather about competition in terms of learning speed and achievement.

For example, you can imagine a conditional dashboard with avatars of students of one of the courses published on it. It visualizes the progress of each participant in the educational program and their badges of achievement.

It is clear that this creates a desire to achieve better results, learn more material, or receive more valuable awards than others. Such an incentive is effective in terms of learning the subjects. However, at the same time, it can also become an object for various speculations, although this is a topic for a separate discussion.

The eLearning tech has long since moved away from the canons of traditional education. Nowadays, the trend is immersive learning, where the material is not just read out, but reinforced by practice.

For example, when a student attends a programming course, a learner can create code in a virtual environment using examples and test its performance.

In any case, this approach allows for better learning and practical skills.

Future trends in education are not yet fully formed. Artificial intelligence and its derivatives will definitely play a significant role in the development of the segment. However, trends will be shaped by the creation of new technologies, some of which can be implemented in the educational process in one way or another.

Therefore, we are keeping an eye on the digital learning market and will continue to inform you about its trends.

Recent training trends are not something completely new or innovative. However, they have a positive impact on the development of educational platforms and their value to end users.

Artificial intelligence, VR, gamification, and socialization are important components of modern education that allow for immersive learning and combine theory with practice.

In the future, trends will change as technologies evolve and make it possible to further improve educational processes. Therefore, follow our materials and do not miss interesting innovations in the educational segment!