Here they are! The four learning technologies which we expect will be important components of successful eLearning this year. This past year, we saw two major trends in the creation of effective eLearning strategies: learner-centrism and accessibility.

Learner-centrism means learning that is designed to fit the needs and preferences of the learner. This is done to optimize learner retention and engagement. Similarly, accessibility means learning that is self-paced and can be watched and reviewed from anywhere, at any time. This helps to improve and individualize the learning experience.

These trends continue to redefine the way we learn. We have identified four learning technologies which could help advance the goals of these two trends:

1. Technology that delivers microlearning
2. XR
3. Video
4. LXP

Technology that delivers microlearning

Microlearning describes learning interventions designed to focus on one specific learning objective. These interventions are short in duration (typically ten minutes or less) and can be completed in one sitting. Advantages to microlearning include that it can be easily individualized because of its length, and it results in higher employee engagement. This is because learners have short attention spans, especially in the world of Google searches and 15 second Instagram stories.

When watching a video, learners are typically only fully engaged for two minutes. Woah. Therefore, microlearning leverages our attention spans to successfully teach us about one subject in a short amount of time. Because of its ability to be tailored to the needs of the learner and improve engagement, technology that delivers microlearning, like custom-designed eLearning courses, engaging videos (number three on our list), and learning experience platforms (number four on our list) will be an important tool this year.

XR

Augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality (collectively known as XR) all have huge potential as learning tools. These all use technology to build simulations that recreate real-life scenarios that look and feel authentic. XR solutions create an immersive experience and a huge opportunity to capitalize on experiential learning.

Experiential learning, or learning through experience, is one of the most effective ways to learn. Simulations created with the use of XR can have the same impact on learning as real-life experience. Studies have shown that XR increases learner comprehension and retention. This technology understands that people learn best through doing. 

Another reason why XR will transform learning this year is because its accessibility is on the rise. While XR’s software and hardware have been very expensive and not widely owned in the past, this trend is reversing today. XR’s software and hardware are becoming more inexpensive and accessible than ever. In fact, by 2025, the global market for XR is predicted to be worth nearly $200 billion. XR’s expanding accessibility and its tailoring to the way we learn ensures that it will be a useful learning tool in the year to come.

Video

Who doesn’t love a good video? Video is both highly learner-centric and accessible. Because of this, people learn better from watching videos—learners’ levels of engagement and retention are both improved when using videos on learning. 

First of all, video is learner-centric because it can simplify complex ideas, evoke emotion, and take advantage of how our brains process information. Video’s combination of visual and auditory cues gives it its simplifying power. Its combination of these elements can also appeal to a wider range of our senses than text alone and evoke greater emotion, which makes learning more memorable. 

Finally, our brains retain more information when lessons are presented to us in a way that uses both auditory and visual elements. Video is designed to provide a learning experience which is well-fitted to the way learners operate, helping us feel more engaged and remember more information.

Even more, video learning is extremely accessible. Video can be accessed anywhere, anytime. It can be reviewed and repeated at the learner’s desire—it really is a self-paced dream come true. Individualizing the learning experience in this way ensures that learners get more than a one-size-fits-all experience, and can absorb information in the way that works best for them.

Just think of the growth of learning platforms like Khan Academy and Crashcourse. Check out their impact in academia—the video-based lessons these platforms offer are being used more and more in schools across the country today. One school has even used Khan Academy as their core curriculum, all because its educators realized the impact that video can have on students’ ability to learn.

These impacts of video in improving retention and engagement support the two major learning trends and make it a win win for learning in 2020.

Learning experience platform (LXP)

Every year, the world is getting harder, better, faster, stronger. The world no longer has time to tolerate technologies which aren’t accessible, innovative, or convenient. Why settle for less for your employees? This year, learning experience platforms, like Loop, which guide employees through onboarding, training, and continuous improvement all from one platform, will find success in the learning world.

Championing the belief that learning is a never-ending process, Loop provides an innovative way for your employees to learn, practice, and build on their knowledge and experience. After facilitating the onboarding and training processes, this never-before-seen technology furthers learning by creating personalized recommendations for your employees to take in content that’s  most relevant to them. Your employees’ individualized learning experiences continue with learning paths to help guide them through onboarding, new product launches, or any other structured learning goals. This learner-focused personalization saves software like Loop a place among the most promising learning technologies for 2020. 

With the position the world is in right now, there will be big opportunities to come. Take advantage of all the learning opportunities that 2020 still has to offer by investing in these four technologies.