E-learning is becoming increasingly important: both companies and universities are switching to digital learning content. The growth rates in e-learning should continue to increase in the future. Several trends have emerged that have not only shaped e-learning in 2022, but will also shape it in the years to come. Here we present the most important trends in the field of e-learning.
The e-learning market is growing. Of course, the special circumstances of the crisis year 2022 also contribute to this. Universities and companies are increasingly relying on digital learning content and are doing everything they can to optimally adapt it to the needs of the learners. Not all e-learning strategies are equally successful. The five most important e-learning trends for 2022 pave the way for a new and better understanding of digital education and training. The latest trends show which approaches are the most successful and are also recognized by the learners themselves.
The importance of learning management systems
Learning management systems (LMS) are mainly used in universities and for further training in companies. They consist of a learning platform onto which different learning content can be uploaded. Teachers and learners must first register in order to gain access to the learning content. LMS allow learners to exchange ideas with each other. The content can be designed according to the target group and thus represents a tailor-made solution.
LMS are scalable and are therefore used in both small companies and large corporations. Due to the flexibility, the learning content can be as simple as possible to extremely complex. Tracking also plays an important role for lecturers: the progress of the participants can be monitored so that changes and improvements can then be made based on the evaluated data. Learning management systems are among the most important e-learning trends of 2022 due to their numerous advantages for teachers and learners.
Social Learning: When learning together is more fun
E-learning has a reputation for being a lonely business. The learner sits alone in front of his device and absorbs the knowledge offered by the learning program. Social interaction is by no means neglected in e-learning. The key word is social learning: learning content is discussed in discussion groups and learners exchange information with each other. This can be done on forums or via video chat. The important thing is that you learn in a team, because that’s how the content is best remembered and learning success is not long in coming.
With social learning, the organizational aspect of learning lies with the learners themselves. Instead of relying on teachers, they develop their own group hierarchy for learners. It allows them to make appointments and set up study groups. The idea of ”social learning” dates back to the 1960s and has already been implemented in various ways in schools and companies. The theory of social learning also provides that moderation is necessary for autonomous learning in groups in order to avoid conflicts and to give the work a suitable structure.
Gamification – learning through play
Most of us are familiar with playful learning from kindergarten. Adapted to the new reality of Web 2.0, this trend is called gamification. This is where methods from the world of video games and apps come into play. These include, for example, quizzes, ranking lists or entertainment techniques that are intended to simplify learning and make it more exciting. Many learners claim that gamification has increased their motivation to learn. The game-typical elements that form the core of the learning units ensure that learning is fun. Learners feel encouraged in their learning in a positive way and thus usually achieve the set goals in the shortest possible time. Gamification is undoubtedly one of the most important e-learning trends of 2022 and has proven to be the best platform for learning.
Customized solutions through adaptive learning
In adaptive learning, the learning content adapts to the learner. It is important that there is learning success. Thus, the learning program must respond to the level of knowledge of the learners in order to achieve the desired result. Although the concept was developed in the 1970s, it is still one of the most important e-learning trends in 2022. 3 Adaptive learning is suitable for every level – from newcomers to advanced learners. This strategy ensures that learners are neither under nor overwhelmed and can concentrate on content that corresponds to their level of knowledge.
Microlearning – learning in small portions
Everything has to go fast these days. It also affects the way we learn. Instead of listening to hours of lessons, learners prefer short learning units. These must be particularly memorable and provide the most important information in a short and understandable way. Microlearning is one of the most successful e-learning strategies of recent years. This trend will continue in 2022 and beyond, because learning in chunks fits perfectly into everyday work or study life. Each microlearning unit lasts a maximum of 15 minutes. Thus, the individual lessons can also be internalized during the break or on the go.
What can we expect from e-learning in the future? A summary
The five most important e-learning trends for 2022 stand as a guide for the future development of digital learning content. It can be stated that learning content is increasingly subject to individual design and adapts to the individual knowledge of the learners. Another important trend are learning management systems that allow more complex forms of learning and are also used in larger groups and in companies. Another trend that has the potential to become one of the most important areas of e-learning is social learning. This opens up new perspectives thanks to interaction with other learners. Overall, it can be said that the latest e-learning trends are broad and optimally tailored to the different needs of different types of learners.
