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Key Trends That Will Shape Distance Learning in 2021

Key Trends That Will Shape Distance Learning in 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has wholly changed the education sector. Many schools, colleges, and educational courses have had to move online, resulting in rapid and unprecedented growth in the Educational Technology segment. What’s more, industry analysts expect widespread home broadband and the emergence of 5G technology will eliminate most of the technology barriers and improve access to distance learning for new users.

Even before the coronavirus outbreak changed our way of life, eLearning had been a rapidly growing industry. Now there is even more interest in online training from institutions and students. So, what exactly should you expect from the sector in 2021?

1. Bite-Sized Lessons

Microlearning is a buzzword that has been in the online learning space for more than five years now. It is a trend that could continue into 2021. Ninety-four percent of education experts surveyed in a recent poll said that online learning that delivers information packaged in small and highly focused chunks lets instructors offer a sticky experience that learners prefer.

Most people are better at receiving information little by little. When you place a large stack of unread books in front of a learner, you put them under enormous pressure. Also, learning in bite-sized portions is a better fit for many people’s lifestyles.

Many employers now recognize the advantages that microlearning can provide. Some of the world’s largest companies, including Walmart and Google, now offer short professional courses as part of their employees’ compensation packages. What’s more, this type of training is readily available, is cheaper, and offers instant practical results, making micro education the new standard in modern education.

2. Immersive Learning Content

Immersive Learning Content

Immersive learning is a digital learning technique that offers learners a simulated, artificial environment where they can completely immerse themselves into the learning material. The simulations can provide students or employees with experiences that can closely replicate real-life situations, allowing for physical practice in real-time. Existing technology and internet speeds will let schools, colleges, and businesses offer meaningful and realistic training experiences.

Today, Augmented Reality (AR) technology is in widespread use for training in fields where human capabilities like decision speed, vision, and multitasking need enhancement. For instance, many factories now use Google Glasses to give their workers instant access to crucial instructions on using specific tools or how they can repair equipment and machinery on the job.

Virtual Reality (VR) is another effective training tool that should remain popular with educational institutions and corporate training programs. VR is an ideal training tool for high-stakes or dangerous situations like training pilots, soldiers, or fire-fighters. What’s more, it provides a fully immersive environment for training doctors, providing stunning 3D views of the human body and its organs, and allowing students to practice various procedures within a virtual world.

3. Training Designed for Mobile

In the past, many online learning tools were designed to be “mobile-ready.” Many training resources are built with desktop computer users in mind first, then adapted as required for viewing on mobile devices.

However, in one of the most significant online learning trends of 2021, the traditional way to build training content is reversed to reflect new realities. Many programs and courses are now created with the mobile experience in mind and then transitioned to the desktop user, upending everything we used to think of when designing eLearning.

Having a quality mobile learning experience is vital, particularly as many workers remain outside their offices and take the training they need from home. The mobile-first design makes it simpler and more convenient for companies to deliver training and learning tools to their employees whenever they require them.

4. More Flexibility in Training Schedules

One of the crucial lessons from 2020 that will profoundly impact eLearning is that many of the people who begrudgingly began remote working found that they like its flexibility and would like to continue.

A survey of workers carried out by Workplace Insight shows that 90% of the employees polled want to continue working remotely in some capacity. In the same study, 50% of workers indicates that they would like to continue working remotely for all or most of their time.

These changes in the workplace and in the attitudes of workers to working online mean that in 2021, corporate eLearning programs must become flexible to allow employees to take training whenever they need it.

5. Increased Peer-To-Peer Training

A lot of the soft skills training that takes place at many businesses and organizations worldwide is only possible thanks to learning resources and content created by coworkers and industry peers.

A study by LinkedIn shows that soft skills like analytical reasoning, persuasion, and creativity are some of the most in-demand skills which companies looked to develop among their workers in 2019. The trend continued to grow throughout 2020, with organizations that could package and scale their peer-to-peer eLearning making significant strides to close skills gaps in their workforce.

Mentorship programs at universities and colleges are common. Still, it would be best if you did not overlook how much more important they are for online learners who are possibly at a higher risk of feeling isolated, lost, and disconnected. With the right training tools and reliable internet connections, a school, college, or company can assign an online learner with a mentor or buddy to offer guidance and feedback.

High-Speed Internet Drives Quality Distance Learning

High-Speed Internet Drives Quality Distance Learning

Reliable, high-speed internet connections are required for you to offer or consume quality eLearning resources. Media-rich learning resources containing large downloads and educational videos require adequate speed and sufficient bandwidth to ensure that learners can download and communicate uninterrupted.

Allo Technology Sdn. Bhd. (Allo) is a leading ICT company in Cyberjaya and Bangsar South City that is dedicated to providing the fastest and most secure internet connections to the tens of thousands of remote workers and students that need reliable access to training materials, work documents, and entertainment.

Stop worrying about your technology and access all your learning materials via our broadband services. To find out more about our broadband internet solutions for distance learners, contact us today.