At Carrot we’re an optimistic bunch, but even those of us with perpetually half full glasses are feeling a bit wary about the year ahead. Over the past two years we seem to have done away with the numbers 1 through 12 on the clock and it’s now only possible for the time to be either ‘unprecedented’ or ‘uncertain.’ 2022 looks to be no different. It feels like we’re in an awkward post / half pandemic phase. The virus isn't going away but we’re all trying to get back to ‘normal’ whatever that means these days. More uncertainty, that’s the crux of it. Are we going back to handshakes? And F2F meetings? Shopper sentiment seems to be all over the place and hybrid working seems like a minefield of unwritten rules for most.
One thing seems to be here to stay though - the increasing shift towards online learning. The global e-learning market is expected to grow from $185.26 billion in 2020 to a staggering $388.23 billion in 2026. What does that mean in real terms? Well, a 2021 Workplace Learning Report puts it simply: 64% of Learning and Development (L&D) specialists feel that L&D has advanced from a "good to have" to a "need to have."
So if it’s down to e-learning to lead the L&D charge for global business, let's have a look at how the industry is innovating and adapting to new challenges. Here’s a quick overview of what’s coming to the table or gathering pace to try and guide businesses and employees through the year ahead.
The Carrot team is pleased to see the trend towards gamification - learning through game based content - continue. It's a fact as old as time - human beings learn through play. We learn best when the process is fun and engaging. Seems obvious doesn’t it? But stuffy L&D managers somehow landed on a different conclusion - human beings learn best through reams of text based learning files. Well thankfully we’re on the way to change this by using mechanics like scoring points and collecting rewards to inject some fun into learning materials. And the best thing about it? Surprise surprise - it works: 83% of employees are more motivated to do their tasks after taking part in gamified training. With strong metrics like these, gamification is set to grow throughout 2022.
Micro Learning
The biggest obstacle to positive learner outcomes? Time. We just don’t have time for training on top of our other work commitments. In comes micro learning. It’s learning that fits around you and not the other way around. Using tiny bitesize pieces of content learners progress with repetition and retention. It’s got to be manageable, it’s got to be snackable. Can I do it on the bus? Can I do it whilst waiting for a meeting to start? This is why in 2022, you should expect micro learning to grow to at least 50% of all online training - if learners have on average a little over 20 mins a week to fit professional development it's no surprise why.
Immersive Experiences
Practice makes perfect. And that’s the ideal solution right? That crucial element all training is seeking to capture. What if we could practice doing our jobs without the high stakes of being out there in the market? VR training - an immersive learning experience that recreates real life settings with simulated tasks around work scenarios - has huge potential in this area.
Well that all sounds great, but it also sounds expensive no? Cost is often a prohibitive factor when it comes to VR solutions, but when compared to physically recreating that level exposure in a real life setting, it becomes more reasonable. Especially when we look at how effective it can be. A recent report by PWC found that participants took four times less time to train on VR and were 3.75 times more emotionally connected to content than in the classroom.
Artificial Intelligence
AI seems to be at the center of everything these days and the L&D industry is no different. No, it’s not robot teachers or Siri led classes at this stage, but it could be equally impactful. A quick look around the bigger players shows the phrase being used more and more. Docebo now says on its site that its LMS is ‘powered by AI.’ Quite what this means in real terms is another question but another provider, Moodle LMS, uses AI to trace ‘at-risk’ learners in its analytics. Data aggregation and narrative building - that’s the extent of it currently. But that's not to underplay AI’s pivotal role in collecting and analysing data from LMS platforms such as learner strengths, weaknesses, engagement points, and compliance. If we feed this info into an algorithm we’ll get richer insights. We can start create and personalised learner pathways and increase the impact of training as a whole. This brings us nicely onto our next area of development: adaptive learning
Adaptive Learning
We know what you're thinking, ‘Great another type of learning to remember.’ Don’t worry, this one is a fairly simple concept. Instead of sticking to an assigned learning path, adaptive learning sees the computer determine the learner’s knowledge level and then tailors subsequent tasks and paths to suit the learner’s ability. New content can be daunting for those with limited prior knowledge of the subject and with a one size fits all approach, is it any wonder e-learning can struggle with an engagement problem. Adaptive learning eases learners into the process and guards against them being overwhelmed by a deluge of information and questions. At the same, time more advanced learners won’t be bored by content they might otherwise find unchallenging. Everyone’s a winner.
Interested in hearing more about new learning and development techniques? At Carrot we put innovation at the heart of everything we do. Get in touch with us at info@carrot.co.uk
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