Podcast: Innovations in elearning

We are excited to share key insights from our discussion with Rajesh Shintre. Rajesh has been part of Invince (formerly UpsideLMS) for the past 16 years. His career journey began as a Senior Project Manager, where he honed his skills in project delivery and client management. Over time, he has embraced various roles encompassing customer support, product training, and quality assurance, each contributing uniquely to his professional growth. Currently, as Associate Vice President - Partners & Special Projects, Rajesh focuses on nurturing robust business relationships with esteemed partners, leveraging his extensive background in project management and customer-centric practices to drive collaborative initiatives and achieve strategic objectives.

Post-COVID-19 eLearning Innovations

Post COVID-19 many organization choose different approaches to skill and upskill their employees. With Digital first being the theme, eLearning delivery too went major changes giving rise to many newer ways of imparting skills. The concept of training simulation, video based content, artificial intelligence and other technologies were born. With business still stabilizing globally, 2024 was a year that witnessed several new trends in the eLearning industry. Another major advancement is the integration of AI in eLearning this is referred as GenAI. I view, artificial intelligence is an inseparable part of eLearning, which introduces a lot of changes.  AI is now able to come up with intelligent content that includes summaries of lessons, practice questions for the lessons, and even learning units. Hyper-personalization is another kind of AI innovation wherein learning experiences are selected according to need, speed, and choice. Also, artificial intelligent Chatbot’ s are the need of the hour and with the surge of AI they are available 24/7. What I find more intriguing now is, they are more structured to answer questions and help a learner to navigate throughout his learning process.

Immersive Technologies

Technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are also envisioning ways of learning. It allows developing of complex skills like surgeries or the operation of equipment to be practiced without causing any harm to the individuals or the property. In comparison, Augmented Reality overlays provide additional information and controls, which may include how to fix a problem in real life, directly on the live feed. These technologies enhance learning making it easier and interactive compared to traditional classroom learning where there is always a gap between classroom learning and field learning.

Micro learning

Micro learning is another trend gaining traction in the eLearning space. This approach focuses on delivering concise, focused content that fits into busy schedules. Summary of modules in short format are easier to internalize, leading to readily available knowledge and better knowledge retention. Gamification continues to rise in popularity, integrating game-like elements into learning experiences. Features such as leaderboards and points foster friendly competition and motivation, while narrative-driven storytelling turns learning into an engaging and immersive adventure.

Data-Driven Decisions

Data forms the backbone of eLearning; more so, decisions that are based on some form of analysis need to be encouraged. Metrics and specific analytics (like topic visited, completion time, and pause on a particular screen) are used to monitor learner experience, learning retention, instructional gaps and uniquely monitor content performance. Outcome identification and prediction are vital in learning because they help in developing better approaches to educate learners thereby achieving set objectives in the shortest time without neglecting the ROI of the eLearning content.  

Additional Considerations

Then there are learning credits and micro-credentials, which allow for more flexibility due to the availability of specific mini-certificates for certain professions and competencies. Asynchronous online learning made in the context of creating communities where one can share ideas and practice collaborative learning is now a part of the process. In addition, the aspects of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) have emerged as an important issue in eLearning, tools and experiences are being developed more to counteract biases and to help build a more inclusive environment.

Learner and L&D Engagement

The utilization of such innovations has taken the expectations to a whole new level while changing the position of learners, people who are developing the courses, and specific L&D specialists. Instead of just going through/participating in the program, learners are now equally engaged in the program being taught by sharing their experience and thoughts on how the program is addressing their specific problems. In addition the application of AI, immersive technologies, gamification, and soft skills are being implemented in the course designs by the course creators to make it more engaging and skill focused. This has called for the need for L&D professionals to evaluate comprehensively given that they must account for gaps in knowledge, learner preferences, the most appropriate rate at which learning should take place, and the attitude or level of engagement of the learner.

Automated Content Development

The use of AI for content development is progressing at a significantly fast pace, as it is now being used in summing up content, constructing quiz and assessment questions, and setting basic learning building blocks. Facilitating an expanded perception of learning: Through machine learning and artificial intelligence, it is easier to understand the learning processes that are going on, identify students who are at risk of failing, and redesign the courses based on the patterns that are being detected in the data.

Advantages of Learning Trends

Any new trend is eye catchy and if it helps business growth then that trend is an advantage. In introducing AI, it eliminates the burden of several tasks that would have otherwise been performed by the human instructors to enhance their efforts on the overall engagement. It also presents value by providing high-quality instruction to millions of learners at a time while also promoting content adaptability to meet learners’ language preferences and learning disabilities. Still, it is crucial to remember some risks that are inherent to the implementation of AI in education and other spheres of life, including the ethical issues related to the utilization of artificial intelligence, plagiarism, data privacy concerns, and the centrality of human teachers despite the advancements in technology.

Conclusion: The Future of eLearning

It’s clear that the future of eLearning is bright, and as advancing technology becomes more integrated into the field, it will no doubt continue its growth in a positive direction with an aim to upskill a learner in more engaging and efficient way. And, not to forget the newer working avenues for content development, instructional designers and Instructor which will be visible more prominently than ever.  

In conclusion, promoting long-term engagement in eLearning is vital for enhancing interaction and creating tailored, impactful learning experiences. By leveraging AI and immersive technologies, we can open doors for a broader audience and redefine the role of educators—from simply imparting knowledge to actively empowering learners. This shift will foster a more dynamic and inclusive educational landscape

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to the Invince team for this opportunity to share my insights. I’m excited to witness the innovative developments that are shaping the future of eLearning in the years to come.  

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