The Future Of Distance Learning
By 2025, the eLearning market will reach $300 billion market value — propelled by trends in technology that are helping to create an interactive learning experience
Tech Trends in eLearning
- Going Mobile
- Offers learners the freedom to consume content when and where they’d like
- Helps instructors monitor learner’s performance
- 67% of organizations offer mobile learning
- Immersive Technologies
- Augmented Reality (AR): Delivers a more engaging learning experience
- Virtual Reality (VR): Eliminates distractions and increases engagement
- 89% of educators are interested in using more AR, VR, and 360° video
- Interactive Video
- Engaging, easily distributed content including demos, explainers, and interviews
- Enhances content consumptions and increases retention rates
- 98% of educators think that interactive video will be essential in the future
- Big Data
- Allows organizations to track what content is most engaging and effective
- Helps design personalize learning experiences and increase training efficiency
- 93% of educators think predictive analytics will change education
- Artificial Intelligence
- Streamlines the creation of customized learning pathways
- Supports the diverse needs of all learners
- By 2022, use AI in education is expected to grow by 48%
eLearning is especially popular among college students today who need an education that will work with their schedule and promote work/life balance
What Online Learners Say
- Online Learners Value Their Education
- 63% chose online education because it works best with their current work/life responsibilities
- More than 40% plan to return to their alma mater to take more classes
- 60% believed their online educated helped them improve soft skills:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving: 85%
- Time management: 84%
- Attention to detail: 84%
- Writing skills: 79%
- Teamwork: 69%
- Oral communication: 62%
- Benefits of Learning Online
- 63% chose online education because it works best with their current work/life responsibilities
72% of organizations believe eLearning gives them a competitive advantage
- For Business: Every $1 spent on eLearning, increases productivity by $30
- For Students: eLearners learn 5X more material per hour of training
- Top Reasons Students Choose Online Programs*
- Affordability:
- 60% of undergraduate students
- 46% of graduate students
- Reputation:
- 39% of graduate and undergraduate students
- Quickest path to a degree:
- 31% of undergraduate students
- 29% of graduate students
- Quality of faculty:
- 20% of undergraduate students
- 34% of graduate students
- Affordability:
An unlikely proponent of eLearning, the coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of schools around the world and challenged educators to use online tools to continue teaching.
Further Reading: Cheapest Online Colleges
The Future Of Distance Learning
- Impact Of COVID-19
- By March 2020, the virus prompted school closures disrupting education for at least 73 countries — Including nationwide school closures in 56 countries
- More than 517 million students have been affected
- Why Go Online?
- In the midst of an epidemic, online learning allows
- Schools to be more adaptable and flexible
- Teachers to expand the use of online learning tools
- “Proactive school closures—closing schools before there’s a case there—have been shown to be one of the most powerful nonpharmaceutical interventions that we can deploy.” — Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a sociologist and physician at Yale University
- In the midst of an epidemic, online learning allows
- Challenges When Switching To Online Learning
- Insufficient Infrastructure: Nearly 18% of school-age children don’t have home internet access
- Spectrum and Comcast are offering free access to affected students — While others have promised not to cut service over unpaid bills, waived fees, or opened access to public hotspots
- Lack Of Technology: 44% of low income* Americans don’t own a computer
- A computer may not be necessary — 56% of online learners use a smartphone or tablet to complete some of their course activities
- More Than Education: 30 million school children rely on free or reduced-cost lunches provided in school — Many districts have requested funding waivers to continue providing “drive-thru” lunches despite school closures
- Insufficient Infrastructure: Nearly 18% of school-age children don’t have home internet access
- By March 2020, the virus prompted school closures disrupting education for at least 73 countries — Including nationwide school closures in 56 countries
Despite the crisis, there is no shortage of online platforms and tools for educators to choose from
- How To Find High-Quality Online Learning
- Do Your Research: Read online reviews, look up program completion rates, and ask others about their experiences
- Most college students choose an online program based on
- Online reviews: 35%
- College search/ranking websites: 33%
- Family/friends recommendations: 30%
- Check Transfer Credit: If you’re looking to take online college courses, ensure the credits you earn will transfer by looking for an accredited program
- In the U.S., regional accreditation — from 1 of 7 organizations — signifies a higher standard than national accreditation
- If you’re looking to transfer online credits to a specific university, pick a course similar to one that the university has previously offered
- Opportunities For Younger Students: Many websites offer fun activities to help keep young students engaged in learning — even when school isn’t in session
- Scholastic’s “Learn At Home”: Offers daily courses for Pre-K through 6th gade
- JoVE Virtual Experiments: Opened access to its STEM video library for all
- BrainPop: Offers interactive lessons for all core content areas and more
- Most college students choose an online program based on
- Do Your Research: Read online reviews, look up program completion rates, and ask others about their experiences
eLearning will continue to reshape the learning environment and empower students around the world to pursue their love of learning
What’s keeping you from learning?
Further Reading:
- Free Online Colleges and College Courses
- Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
- Trade School Careers Resource Site
- Tuition Free Colleges
- Trade Jobs
Sources:
https://brainly.com/insights/world-of-hybrid-learning
https://corp.kaltura.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The_State_of_Video_in_Education_2019-1.pdf
https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/elearning-market-size
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/us/scholastic-coronavirus-students-trnd/index.html
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jove-offers-free-access-to-extensive-stem-education-video-library-to-aid-remote-teaching--learning-as-covid-19-pandemic-shuts-down-classrooms-around-the-world-301024940.html
https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4613290/artificial-intelligence-market-in-the-us
https://49hk843qjpwu3gfmw73ngy1k-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OCS-2019-FINAL-WEB-Report.pdf
https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/will-my-credits-transfer/
https://qz.com/1812638/millions-of-kids-testing-e-learning-after-coronavirus-school-closures/
https://elearningindustry.com/tips-evaluate-online-training-quality
https://emeraldworks.com/research-and-reports/management/learning-and-performance-on-the-move
https://en.unesco.org/news/290-million-students-out-school-due-covid-19-unesco-releases-first-global-numbers-and-mobilize
https://en.unesco.org/news/290-million-students-out-school-due-covid-19-unesco-releases-first-global-numbers-and-mobilizes
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/does-closing-schools-slow-spread-novel-coronavirus
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/tech/comcast-free-wifi-coronavirus/69-fc79b046-dafd-4af8-8ae0-f5143abe08f7
https://abc11.com/6017902