Navigate the Future: Virtual Education and eLearning

The market for virtual education or eLearning is growing rapidly. In fact, statistics valued the global eLearning industry at $217.57 billion in 2020 and predicted a CAGR of 18.6% between 2023 and 2030. This shows the immense global popularity of eLearning and its massive scope for growth in the future. 

This growth has paved the way for enterprises to innovate and develop newer ways to make the learning experience interactive, equitable, and easily accessible to all. Whether an existing enterprise in this sector or a new player, the virtual learning industry offers a wealth of potential to transform the future of education. 

In this guide, we discuss some of the key trends in the future of virtual learning and eLearning courses and how enterprises can navigate these trends to offer the best and most innovative solutions worldwide.

Table of Contents

I. Navigating Key Trends in Virtual Education 

1. The Increased Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
2. Increased Reliance on Mobile and Microlearning 
3. Video Learning Takes Advantage of Mobile Learning 
4. An Increased Reliance on Game-Based Learning 
5. A Greater Focus on Upskilling 

II. In Conclusion

With various players making waves in the eLearning market and the increasing use of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), among several others, technology is set to play a major role in the sector’s future. It’s set to shape how education is both delivered and consumed. 

In this section, we explore some of the key trends in the virtual education market and how enterprises in this niche can navigate them.

As mentioned above, AI and ML are already transforming the education landscape, and the scope for this transformation continues to remain massive. The key advantage of using AI is that it helps personalize the learning experience for every individual, making education more equitable. As a result, the focus of education shifts from a system of “filtering” the best students to one of “improved human development.”

In 2024 and the years to come, the ability of AI to analyze learner data and tailor the learning experience is set to improve. From adapting the difficulty levels, offering personalized recommendations to resources to substantiate learning, and offering feedback in real-time, there’s a lot to look forward to. 

Digital textbook platforms like KITABOO, for example, allow K12 publishers to leverage AI to create unique assessments, set learning objectives, summarize content, and much more.

According to Statista, the global smartphone penetration stood at 69% as of 2023 and is only set to increase in the future. Add to this the fact that 97% of college graduates in the US, for example, use mobile phones, of which 91% are smartphones, and enterprises already have a lucrative market to tap into. 

These statistics also exist in the context of the motivated learner who’s willing to self-learn but is also easily distracted. As a result, the pedagogy adopted to cut through the noise focuses majorly on microlearning. Microlearning, by way of short courses or programs, allows learners to benefit from target information to meet specific gaps in their skills or knowledge. 

This poses a lucrative opportunity for enterprises worldwide, as offering targeted courses or programs best serves the needs of today’s youth. It also democratizes education by allowing individuals to take care of their learning needs without having to rely on gatekeepers like universities or other educational institutions.

One of the biggest advantages of the increase in mobile learning is that video learning proves to be an effective way to enhance learning outcomes. What’s more, the immense dependence on smartphones for education today allows enterprises to directly reach individuals via their devices at any time and anywhere. 

In fact, according to research, 95% of learners retain information from video-based education material. What’s more, education videos delivered online are also the most popular tools in K12 classrooms at 67%, followed by educational apps at 65% and eBooks at 17%. 

This shows the potential video learning offers, particularly when delivered via video in an online training program. These benefits apply to students at the K12 and higher education levels as well as at the enterprise or professional level.

Game-based learning, or gamification, has seen a significant rise in the world of education and training today. Just like video-based learning, gamified learning offers a host of benefits, from improved attention and information retention to better outcomes. 

The key highlight of gamified learning is that it rewards learners for completing levels or stages, thereby incentivizing the learning process and increasing motivation levels. 

What’s more, game-based learning can also be a brilliant way of explaining complex concepts in real-world scenarios, thereby instilling more than just a theoretical understanding of the subject at hand. Leveraging gamification in online learning programs, along with the aid of technologies like AI and ML, can significantly help improve learning outcomes. 

One of the biggest impacts of the technological revolution is that a wide range of tasks and processes today are automated. As a result, businesses expect candidates to possess a wider range of skills to be considered worthy of hiring. The very same demand for upskilling also leads organizations to place a greater emphasis on Learning & Development. 

In fact, businesses are also realizing that the best way to fill skill gaps within their organizations is to upskill and reskill their existing workforce rather than hire new individuals. This approach is considered to be far more cost-effective and has become a key trend since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Upskilling is thus set to be among the most prominent eLearning trends in the years to come, particularly as technologies like AI become far more efficient and cost-effective. 

The future of virtual education is driven by innovations in technology, from AI and ML to video-based learning, microlearning, and gamification, among several others. Further, changing learning patterns, the increase in smartphone usage, and access to the internet are transforming how individuals absorb and retain information. 

In this context, enterprises in the eLearning sector have a wealth of opportunities to tap into in the years to come. If you’re looking to take advantage of this dynamic landscape, you must consider KITABOO’s digital textbook solutions. From K12 to higher education and the enterprise levels, their solutions cater to every stage of learning and offer publishers the best tools to create digital learning content. 

To know more, contact us today!