Online learning is growing as colleges and other institutions offer more digital education solutions. Like with most industries, technology is influencing and changing how people are learning online as well. Ahead are 5 trends to expect in online learning during 2018.
Virtual reality
A quickly emerging technology that has the potential to change many industries is virtual reality. For education , it could create a very immersive learning experience for students. They will be able to enter virtual laboratories and environments related to their studies. Virtual reality also could be used to create virtual classrooms which students can attend from home. As online college become more mainstream, this technology has the potential to normalize learning from home.
Personalization
Data is the backbone of many companies and institutions in 2018. Through tools and analytic software, everything from demographics to behaviour trends can be collected on a target audience. This has created the trend of personalizing the user experience to specific segments. In education, individuals learn at different paces and through different styles. As data collection advances, institutions could begin tailoring learning on a person to person basis. Tasks, deadlines, and learning material can be changed depending on the individual and their strengths.
Artificial intelligence
Another growing technology which is influencing various industries is artificial intelligence . In online learning, AI can be used in many ways. Firstly, chat bots could act as tutors to help students solve problems and assignments. If AI advances far enough, bots could potentially teach entire digital classrooms. This could be paired with virtual reality to simulate a classroom while AI takes the role of a professor.
Mobile learning
By 2019, it’s estimated that there will be 2.71 billion smartphone users globally. It’s no secret that mobile phone usage is skyrocketing. These devices have quickly become a go-to tool for social media, business, and networking. There’s the potential that online learning could be the next landscape it changes. With a smartphone, students could view assignments, projects, and take tests. Teachers could leave notes and feedback on the same platform. All of this could be done through an app which adds a great degree of convenience. Colleges and universities can make this an addition to standard education as well.
Webinars
This is a nice middleground between current technology and emerging ones like virtual reality. Webinars are online video classes done in real time and from the comfort of your home. They are very common in business, where viewers take online workshops to learn new skills.
Webinars could be implemented in the same way but for online learning. Teachers could perform lectures and livestream it to their students. A chat window will let students ask questions while interacting with one another and the educator. Technology is quickly changing many industries including online learning. Virtual reality and AI would mostly offer convenience for students. Personalization will help tailor the learning experiences to the strengths and weaknesses of the individual. Mobile education and webinars will also add to making learning online more enticing.
