Dương Thăng Long, deputy principal of the Hà Nội Open University, talks to us about e-learning.

What is the positive side to e-learning compared with a classroom education?

The Hà Nội Open University has conducted e-learning for the past 26 years, and we have seen it has some significant good points.

Firstly, it is flexible. In normal study methods, each class has 40-50 students. The teacher prepares a lesson and teaches the whole class. But in e-learning, the lesson is designed to suit each individual or group.

Secondly, teachers who contribute to improving results pay more attention to personalisation. For instance, the teacher can divide students into different groups and then give them different situations that are suitable with their capacity and discuss with them online.

To do it, teachers need more time, not only 45 minutes like traditional lessons.

E-learning is also flexible. Learners can study anywhere on smartphones, laptops or computers.

What obstacles are facing schools with regards to e-learning?

E-learning is a new way of studying that uses technology, so both teachers and learners need to change.

Learners must be positive and dedicated to their studies while teachers must design lessons in ways that are easy to understand.

Besides tech support, teachers will have to spend more time on teaching different groups or different individuals.

With the COVID-19 epidemic, many universities want to organise lessons online but they do not know where to start. What is your opinion?

Universities need to adopt new methods for e-learning.

Firstly, they need policies. Universities must bring e-learning into their development strategies and then invest in infrastructure and technology. People often say: you have knowledge, I also have knowledge, so we can exchange. As a result, we will double our knowledge and ideas.

Lecturers must change and share their intellect instead of keeping it to themselves. This knowledge will be exchanged during lessons for public use.

Students should also be prepared for the new method of studying, and managers should support lecturers.

Universities need to set up norms to enroll staff in different positions, and give them regular training.

One more factor contributing to the effectiveness of e-learning is technology and film studios to record the lessons. Besides, we need a good internet connection.

I think schools should cooperate to share experiences in the field and use technology know-how from each other. 

Learners say they find e-learning difficult because it depends on their equipment and the internet. What do you think?

At present, with software and support technology, learners can study on smartphones. The Hà Nội Open University implements two ways for students to study online. The first is for students to use equipment to connect to the university’s website. The second uses applications. When wifi is available, the applications will download lessons and questions from teachers. After finishing exercises, students can send them through to the university. 

Do we need a legal framework for e-learning?

A legal framework is necessary for schools to implement e-learning. It’s also a condition to recognise e-learning results.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in 2017 issued Circular 10/2017/BGDĐT about regulations for e-learning at universities. The Hà Nội Open University now has 10 majors applying e-learning with nearly 20,000 students.

At present, the MoET is compiling a draft circular to allow universities to apply traditional teaching methods with e-learning and the results will be recognised. It means that the MoET is creating a legal framework for university education combined with technology.

Many people think it will be difficult to apply in high schools. What is your opinion?

E-learning provides students with knowledge but other skills are learnt out of school through activities at home and in the community. Family, school and society shape people’s culture, capacity and skills.

We can take advantage of the good points of e-learning to support traditional education and improve quality. We should not totally depend on e-learning, we should apply it at different levels based on the capacity of each school, majors and subjects.  

Online learning may seem perfect for students. You may study at home, from your own warm bed, in your favorite pajamas and with a cup of sweet cocoa. You may shift your schedule as you please, you may distribute the tasks evenly or take a day off whenever you want to do it. But still, online learning has one but very important drawback: it’s hard to stay motivated when you are studying online.

No one is watching and one needs willpower of a superhero or determination of a zealot to keep going as enthusiastically as at the very beginning. Inevitably, you will be seduced by other things to do, entertainments to enjoy and friends to meet. It’s normal, it is human life and human nature. But how can we stay motivated enough to finish the online course successfully?

Here are 3 important secrets (well, actually taken from some psychological and medical articles, available on PubMed – but translated it from Scientific into English) for students who learn online to keep their spirit high and maintain high motivation.

Secret 1: Get into the Flow

The Flow (yes, it’s an official term already!) is a special state of mind that makes you work more productively than ever. When you are in the Flow, you feel excited and inspired, you get incredible insights and are eager to try again and again until you get the perfect results. Our ancestors called the state of Flow “the visit of Muse”.

You may understand that you are now in the Flow if you are fully concentrated on your current job, you see the tasks and the overall strategy clearly and are working gladly, not getting distracted by anything else – because your task is what gives you joy and satisfaction now.

Sounds fantastic and but fit for creative tasks only? Not at all! Actually, there are several psychological conditions that help you get into the Flow. The first one is the balance of your skills and the difficulty of the task. Too easy and you’d get bored, too complicated and the task will scare you. The Flow flows on the edge of both. The challenge you face activates your natural biological response: positive aggression (I can do it!), energy and excitement. This is something that our furry ancestors felt during the hunt, a hormonal lifehack we can use even now.

The second point is concentration. You can’t divide the Flow to lesser streams, this is the state of dedication to a single task. Multitasking can be a very effective strategy sometimes, but too much of it can kill motivation after a few hours only. The ancient ritual of meditation before starting something really important (making a Hero Sword or writing an essay by viewing or whatever) has a very practical reason: clearing your mind of unnecessary thoughts dramatically increases your chances to get into the Flow and finish your task with flying colors.

Secret 2: We are no better than our pets

Sometimes we all lack self-discipline. It’s a normal state of the human mind: always analyze our day and cut out all the excessive work. The millions of years of evolution taught us to save energy. From our primal point of view, anything that doesn’t give us an instant reward (or doesn’t help us avoid danger) isn’t worthy of the effort.

But while the conservative learning system offers us a ready-to-use system of punishments and benefits, online studying lacks most of them. We have to “punish” ourselves with extra work for skipping classes and “reward” ourselves with the knowledge we will possibly use somewhere later in life. Sounds not too cool for the ancient part of our brain, right?

It may sound silly, but sometimes, keeping our own motivation high is as easy as keeping high the motivation of our pets when we teach them tricks. We are negotiating with the same part of our brain: that wants a quick reward for instant action. So, to stay motivated during online learning, plan small but rewarding actions for yourself: eat a cookie, play a video game, buy yourself something nice, whatever.

Secret 3: No schedule also needs a schedule

Our body is designed to accommodate different conditions. If we always eat roughly at the same time, we will feel hungry exactly at that time. The same is for sleep, work, physical exercises and so on. We can use our brain possibilities and find ways to make us more productive by the right planning. Our physiology gets used to the schedule and functionates accordingly.

Classical learning is also scheduled. We have to wake up and have breakfast, then we go to study. We have lunch at lunch break, also at the same time every day, then study a bit more and return home to dine and have free time. Our body adapts to it and adjusts the peaks of productivity, hunger and other parameters to the process of study.

When we study online, we have more possibilities to shift the schedule closer to our natural one (if we aren’t morning people we can start later and finish later, for example). But then comes the hard part: we have to keep this schedule. Of course, not up to a single minute, but still, we have to grow the habit of studying. After a few months, even if you decide to skip one or two days, the inertia of habit will draw you back into the familiar routine. Your motivation will be self-keeping, and what can be better?

Digital learning is replacing traditional educational methods more and more each day. With how rapidly classrooms are changing, it is best to forget methods you may remember from when you were in school and start thinking about newer teaching and learning techniques based on digital learning tools and technologies. The inclusion of digital learning in the classrooms can vary from simply using tablets instead of paper to using elaborate software programs and equipment as opposed to the simple pen.

This could entail using sites, services, programs, teaching tools, and technologies like study aids built for at-home use. Even social networks and communications platforms can be used to create and manage digital assignments and agendas. Irrespective of how much technology is integrated into the classroom, digital learning has come to play a crucial role in education. It empowers students by getting them to be more interested in learning and expanding their horizons. Here is how
digital learning is a step up from traditional education methods.

Digital Learning Makes Students Smarter

Learning tools and technology enable students to develop effective self-directed learning skills. They are able to identify what they need to learn, find and use online resources, apply the information on the problem at hand, and even evaluate resultant feedback. This increases their efficiency and productivity. In addition to engaging students, digital learning tools and technology sharpen critical thinking skills, which are the basis for the development of analytic reasoning. Children who explore open-ended questions with imagination and logic learn how to make decisions, as opposed to just temporarily memorizing the textbook.

Educational tools by Young Digital Planet such as Bingiel teach children how to collaborate and work successfully in groups. This is typically done through gamification. Gamification is a great feature of interactive learning because it teaches children playing in a group to depend on and trust each other in order to win a game or achieve their goals. They also promote cooperation and teamwork which are very important skills, in every aspect of life.

Interactive social skill games are excellent learning tools that teach children discipline because playing games requires children to follow rules and guidelines in order to participate. Even children who might grow frustrated with other learning methods may stick with games longer because playing itself is rewarding. This ends up helping them develop patience, another useful life skill.

Children also develop positive feelings of accomplishment from mastering new knowledge and skills using digitized learning tools giving them the confidence they need to want to learn even more new things. It is commendable that millions of courses by the best educators are available for free to anyone with an internet connection. The possibilities are endless.

Digital Learning Is Making Students Self-Motivated and More Accountable

Students using digital learning tools and technology become more engaged in the process and more interested in growing their knowledge base, they may not even realize that they’re actively learning since they’re learning through engaging methods such as peer education, teamwork, problem-solving, reverse teaching, concept maps, gamification, staging, role playing, and storytelling.

Since digital learning is far more interactive and memorable than voluminous textbooks or one-sided lectures, they provide better context, a greater sense of perspective, and more engaging activities than traditional education methods. This allows students to better connect with the learning material. Further, they often offer a more interesting and involving way to digest information. This is reflected in their retention rates and test scores. Also, when students can track their own progress it can improve motivation and accountability.

Digital Learning Tools Involve Educators and Parents to a Deeper Extent

Learning tools and technologies like social learning platforms make it easy for teachers to create and manage groups. The shift to digital learning can approximate the benefits of tutoring while freeing up time for teachers to address individual and small group needs. The opportunity to customize learning sequences for each student will make education more productive by closing learning gaps sooner and accelerating progress. Dynamic grouping, workshops, and project-based learning can add lots of collaborative learning to the already present education model.

Panworld Education provides lesson planning tools for educators, making their tasks easier. Educators can also join online professional learning communities to ask questions and share tips and stay connected with a global educators’ community. They can keep themselves updated with the most relevant content for their curriculum using such learning tools and technology. Panworld Education even offers digitalized teaching tools including curriculum-integrated and enrichment digital content, gamification platforms, and language learning with the objective of enriching and enhancing the classroom experience. These help teachers teach better and students learn better through engagement and enjoyment.

Apart from educators, parents can use interactive activities to encourage their child’s interest in learning since gamification makes the process much more enjoyable and interesting. Parents can also explore online learning activities with their child which can serve as an extension to what they are learning in their classrooms. Digital learning tools and technology provide enjoyment for kids as well as numerous benefits in terms of developing a child’s well-being. Everyone benefits with the digitization of learning.

Digital Learning Tools and Technology Is Rapidly Increasing Information Sharing

In recent years, the shift from print to digital has impacted how we learn. Just as printing press did six centuries ago, this transition is transforming formal education and increasing learning opportunities. Digital learning is not only allowing students to access more and more information but also ensuring that the information in question is customizable and suited to their personal needs. The opportunity to help every student learn at the best pace and path for them is the most important benefit of digital learning.

Digital learning tools and technology enable educators to rapidly share information with other educators in real-time. The explosion of free and open content and tools has created an environment of sharing economy. By embracing digital devices and connected learning, classrooms around the country and around the globe can not only coordinate with one another to share insights but also boost learning, experience, and communications skills. The practice also allows educators to enjoy a level playing field. Schools can save money while ensuring equitable access to educational material as expensive private schools.

Increasing Students’ Employability with Digital Learning Tools and Technology

Equipping students with the requirements of higher education and holding a career at a young age has become one of the most crucial responsibilities of school education. Digital learning solutions based on problem-based learning emphasize on learning methods that are constructive, collaborative and calls the students’ attention to a real-world approach to learning.

With the ongoing employment crisis in the MENA region, it is crucial that if young people are unable to find jobs, they should have the ability to create their own and ideally even generate jobs for others. For this purpose, newer methods of learning and education need to be incorporated into the school curriculums, starting right from elementary school. Digital learning tools and technology in elementary, secondary, and high schools prepares students for higher education and modern careers by helping them acquire skills including problem-solving, familiarity with emerging technologies, and self-motivation.

Traditional Education Methods Have To Be Replaced

Traditional lectures may still exist along with the new-age learning tools and technology, but the lecture materials should be provided as a supplement to classroom activities and moved online for students to reference outside of the classroom. Classroom time is better used for discussing the curriculum, engaging in activities with teams and completing class projects. Students often have the option to pace their learning and even study ahead with a digital learning tool if they wish to do so. By helping children think outside their typical learning modes, digital learning inspires creativity and lets children feel a sense of accomplishment that encourages further learning.

Digital learning tools and technology fill the gaps where traditional classroom teaching falls behind. In fact, some of the efficiencies such tools bring are simply unmatchable by traditional learning techniques. From the environmental impact recognized by the need for less paper for handouts and books to saving time with quick access to information and the ease of research, digital learning provides an effective way to cut costs, maximize resources and heighten both reach and impact for students and educators alike.

Digital learning has completely changed the landscape of education. There are so many ways that high-tech ideas can enhance and contribute to a classroom that the options are endless. As a teacher, you have access to improvements that can help students learn in bright new ways.

Kids nowadays are more adept at using and being open to experiencing new technology than ever before—it’s like second nature to them. They have this advantage because they were born into a whole new world of tablets and touch screens.

Innovative and engaging digital learning environments are not only the new model to follow, but they’re the wave of future learning as well. You can transform your classroom using unique strategies like these that focus on digital learning and interaction. Most of these ideas can be scaled up or down for higher or lower grade levels depending on the learners you’re teaching. Here are 7 ways to make your classroom into a digital learning playground.

1. GET AN INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD

This is a modern digital learning piece of equipment that is absolutely essential for any tech-savvy classroom today. It’s set up to take over traditional chalkboard learning methods and all classrooms should have them standard. You might have to advocate for your classroom to get one, but they are so worthwhile to have. Whiteboards are the cornerstone of digital learning practices taking over old and outdated methods. Usually, the whiteboard will come with a projector for even more ease in setting up lectures and presentations.

2. START A STUDENT-RUN BLOG FOR THE CLASS

Another idea to incorporate modern learning is setting up a blog for the classroom that’s student-run. You can go a step further and have them also work on a website for your class. Build the site from start to finish for a real-world skill in digital learning that will come in handy for their future. As far as the blog goes, have your students assigned a posting schedule each week, so that everyone gets their turn to contribute to the blog. You can easily make this a part of the classroom’s engagement all year long.

3. MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATIONS

With a tablet, Chromebook, or laptop you can have students learn how to give multimedia presentations like Powerpoint or Google Doc Slides for Chromebook in a whole new way. These types of digital media presentations are much more modern than the old “poster board and marker” route students used to have to employ for showcasing their projects in front of the class.

4. SMARTPHONE VIDEO PROJECTS

Smartphones have many uses in the digital learning playground, and making video projects with them is perfect for this environment. A classroom tablet is easy to do this with as a filming device, but most students have their own smartphones to work on this project. With all different kinds of subject matter, you can have students film commercials, programs, newscasts, and other types of video projects, and even short films they create themselves. There are also programs that help them edit and produce their work in a more professional way that is easy to learn.

5. CREATE A CLASSROOM PODCAST

Another digital learning idea is to create a classroom podcast. You can center the subject matter around anything that you are learning, but history and science topics make great ideas for podcasts. Book discussions on language arts topics are also great to explore. On the other side, you can also have students listen to current podcasts that correspond with things they are learning.

6. SKYPE A SPEAKER INTO THE CLASSROOM

Skype is a great way to connect with digital learning overseas. You can even have speakers contribute to classroom talks by interacting with them online through Skype. Some great guest speakers can enhance the learning process by really getting the students interested in topics that seem flat on paper. They come alive with the right speaker to spark their interest.

7. FIELD TRIP WITHOUT LEAVING THE CLASSROOM

Through digital learning, kids can explore places they might not have a chance to normally go to. A field trip without leaving the classroom is a great way to experience this idea.  Students can hook up their own smartphones or ones that you use in the classroom to experience this amazing program for digital learning through virtual reality.

Having a digital learning model in the classroom will not only make your students more comfortable and familiar with technology, but since they are so naturally great with all things digital it can engage them in a way that makes learning even more fun for them.

Did you know? You can contribute to nature by studying online! Oh yes, e-learning is the new cool in education. It saves paper, requires no traveling and uses fewer resources, which optimally saves a lot of energy. According to 77% of academic leaders, outcomes in learning online is the same or superior to face-to-face education.

In this digital era, education system in the country is also going through a drastic change. Students have started to be dependent on online methods of learning rather than traditional such as books, research papers etc. Students can now track their daily activities and can list ways to improve day by day.

Online learning has increased the transparency between teachers, students and parents. Now, parents can keep an eye on the daily activities of their children and make a plan to improve them with time.

Cost savings and E-learning:

E-learning does not require learners to travel to be in the same place which saves a lot of conveyance money and time simultaneously. Also, there is no need to invest in any special equipment or learning resources for each module of their course. Learners just have to log in to the application or portal at any point of time, which also removes the need to spend on textbooks or other course materials.

Advantages of e-learning:

Online learning fits in everyone’s needs:

E-learning is best suited for everyone. The digital revolution of education has led to many changes in how the content can be accessed, discussed and shared. It can be taken up by anybody whether a housewife or an office goer, it is easily accessible by everyone. They can also study depending on their availability and comfort, many people choose to learn at weekends or evening.

Time is not a barrier anymore:

Unlike classroom learning, one can access the content an unlimited number of times. At the time of revision during exams, one can easily go through the lectures and revise. Unlike in traditional form of learning, if you miss the lecture, then you have to understand the topic on your own.

Access to updated content:

Content in the applications of e-learning is updated regularly. One can go through the upgraded content anytime, anywhere.

Constancy:

On e-learning platforms, educators get a higher degree of coverage to communicate their message in a consistent way to the students, this ensure that all the learners receive the same type of training.

Eco-friendly:

As discussed above, e-learning is eco-friendly as there is no need to cut the trees for papers. Also, there isn’t any need of traveling to the particular education center to learn, which helps in reducing the air pollution.

Adaptability:

E-learning helps in communicating new content, concepts and ideas to the learners. E-learning is a quick way of learning whether it is formal education or entertainment.

Fun way of learning:

E-learning is a fun way of learning. Gamified quizzes and challenges, use of attractive graphics and videos help the students to study in an amusing way.

Better results:

Studies show that e-learning gives the better results as students get to learn the constantly updated topics and concepts. Also, with the use of attractive graphics and videos, it is easier for students to recall the concepts for the longer period of time.

Due to so many benefits to the students, e-learning has become very popular and appreciated among students worldwide.

Classroom in a pocket? That’s right. Technology has developed to the point where we carry around with us pocketbook-sized computers that provide constant access to all the information in the world. That’s pure magic, isn’t it? It also means that students have in their hands, all the textbooks they might need, all the information related to their courses and even a means to interpersonal contact with their lecturers and other students.

Mobile learning is growing in popularity. Did you know that 89% of smartphone users download apps, 50% of which are used for learning, and 46% of learners use mobile learning before they go to sleep at night? There are several mobile learning apps on the market, many of them free, but if you want to create your eLearning app, you need to keep the following factors in mind.

1. An eLearning app must provide access to course material

Of course, this is a basic requirement for an eLearning app. The point of mobile learning is that students can have access to their course material while on the move – no matter where they are, no matter what the time.

A mobile app also allows tutors to use their smartphones to upload learning materials. On the MBE app, students get access to 100,000 online courses, and tutors get access to a platform they can use to design eLearning courses.

2. An eLearning app must support assignment submission and grading

Students are not only studying on their mobile devices; they also use them to write their papers. An eLearning app should allow students to view, create, and turn in assignments on their mobile devices. The platform should also allow tutors to grade assignments, making comments, and suggestions where necessary. Students should also be able to receive their grades via the eLearning app.

3. In-app messaging

Students and tutors also need a way to communicate. For that, an in-app messaging platform is ideal. This is a much better solution than email where queries can get lost in an overflowing inbox. In-app messaging allows students and tutors to communicate with each other in a way that they are already used to and simplifies the whole teaching and learning experience for tutors and students.

4. Enable peer learning

Peer learning has become an integral part of studying. Students learn a great deal by explaining their ideas to others and participating in mutual activities. Students are already using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to study together. An e-Learning app should provide a similar experience for students, allowing them to chat, share documents, and generally collaborate on course work.

5. Seamless access to administrative information

A student who has access to his course material, other students and his tutor via his smartphone, doesn’t want to go a building somewhere to find out when the semester starts or how to obtain a student loan. This person expects this information to be available online and via his mobile device. Your mobile learning environment should make it easy and intuitive for students and the administration to communicate with each other on anything related to the student’s time at the college.

These are the basic requirements for a mobile learning environment. The main point is that it must provide a seamless user experience for tutors and students alike.

On November 21st, 2019, the Contract Signing Ceremony for “THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE E-LEARNING PLATFORM, DIALOGEDU” between Education Information Technology Solution Center ( EITSC); DialogEdu., LLC and My Bridge Education Company Limited was held in Da Nang. This stage is a remarkable achievement for a strategic, durable relationship between three partners.

Ms. Hang Tran – CEO is a representative for MBE and Mr. Vincent Torralbes – Chief Operating Officer is a representative for DialogEdu., LLC

 The signing ceremony was successfully ended and the signed contents will be promptly and effectively implemented in the near future.

On November 22, 2019, the conference titled “Applications of information technology and training in building a database in the education and training sector” took place in Da Nang. During this conference, nearly 200 participants discussed and assessed the situation of deploying IT applications in order to promote the implementation of e-government, innovating the content and methods of teaching-learning and improving the quality of education and training to meet the requirements of renovation according to Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW on “fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education” of the Party Central Committee. Several expert reports were presented that sparked a fruitful exchange among participants.

Besides the academic sessions, the participants had the opportunity to visit numerous booths of businesses participating in this conference.

Representatives of MBE and DialogEdu took a photo with the Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training – Mr.Nguyen Van Phuc

Director of ICT Department – Mr.Nguyen Son Hai

Director of Education Information Technology Solution Center – Mr.Nguyen Ngoc Tuan

MBE also had a booth at this educational technology exhibition and had received a lot of attention from Universities and Education Departments.

Here are 2019’s top 6 eLearning trends so far:

1. Microlearning

More and more organisations are using microlearning this year. Why? Because it’s clear to see that smaller chunks of learning are not only easier to employ, but they improve learners’ retention levels—a learning manager’s dream! With long modules, learners are more likely to get bored and lose engagement.

Although the modules are smaller, they are all object driven, for higher impact. These small modules allow learning to be implemented on different devices and are easy to repeat as well as update if needed.

Modules can also be made more interactive and immersive through videos, games, quizzes, infographics, and realistic scenarios to keep learners on their toes. With such a learner-centric approach, you can see why organisations are utilising microlearning in their strategies—a definite keeper for 2019.

2. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2019 has been a clear strength in the eLearning industry. Known for personalised learning, it has been the innovation that busy learning managers needed this year.

AI uses its (machine) brain to analyse behaviour from the learner, from previous modules, and their strengths and weaknesses from each one. Using this data, AI can personalise learning by recommending certain modules for the learner. AI tries to offer modules that will fill gaps in the learners’ knowledge.

To make the eLearning process even easier, chatbots can undertake any admin work, including the onboarding of learners. With chatbots being accessible 24/7, they can be on hand to answer learner queries when needed.

AI seems to be an approach being used more, due to the smaller workload and sheer ease and accessibility—I predict it’s here to stay.

3. Gamification

Gamification was on the rise in 2018, but has it peaked or will it continue through the new year? It has been proven to improve engagement and retention levels, but it is now proving to improve sales and business performance.

The gamification approach takes learners on a journey of learning for rewards. Not only does this boost motivation levels, but it improves the learner experience—an approach aiming for behavioural change.

With personalised feedback, gamification can provide insights into learners’ progress and highlight knowledge gaps and strengths. Data from these insights is an easy way for learning managers to determine content for future learning strategies.

With more benefits of gamification being proven, it looks like gamification will only get stronger.

4. Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning is an approach which has flourished over the past couple of years; it provides the ultimate personalised learning. Through pre-learning tests, algorithms determine which level and pace learners should be at.

Rather than putting all learners through the same modules, the adaptive learning approach considers what learners already know and don’t know. The great thing about this is that learners shouldn’t get bored sitting through modules they are already confident in; they should always be engaged with the content.

It also means that learning is more focused, and should always result in improvements to knowledge. There is no reason why adaptive learning shouldn’t continue to grow and develop in 2019; personalisation is most definitely trending, and adaptive learning achieves just that.

5. Video

Every day, one billion hours of video are watched on YouTube—no wonder video for eLearning is coming in thick and fast. Unlike static eLearning content, video makes learning more engaging. Not only is it more visually pleasing, but it can be made interactive, making the learner an active participant.

With more engaging content through the use of video, retention levels should be higher. However, this can be enhanced through interactivity. Realistic scenarios, challenges, characters and decision times take learners on a journey. Allowing them to interact with video, engages learners more and provides sustainable skills and knowledge for life on the job.

As we can imagine, video is going to be around for a very long time—everybody needs to include it in their learning strategies!

6. Mobile Learning

In today’s age, we all want things to be easily accessed. Whether that be seeing a doctor, working or playing. Mobile learning gives learners the freedom of learning where they want, and on their own personal device—what more could you want in 2019?

With newly developed platforms, mobile learning keeps both the learner and manager connected. This allows learning managers to track performance and to ensure they are on hand for any queries. Like video, this approach to learning can be made dynamic to keep learners engaged. Platforms can make use of interactivity, videos, AI and all of the other great aspects of eLearning.

With employees today wanting more professional development as well as flexibility, mobile learning will most definitely continue to shine.

The Future Of eLearning

These trends have excelled themselves this year, making eLearning much more learner-centric. As technology develops, I can only imagine these trends will get better, and continue to deliver personalised, accessible and engaging eLearning.