E-learning has many benefits over the traditional blackboard way of learning style. E-learning paves the way to learning any course from where we are at a pocket-friendly cost at our own pace. With the sudden surge in e-learning platforms after the pandemic, L&D (Learning and Development) managers are striving to integrate many technologies to transform e-Learning platforms. Below are the top 10 trending e-learning tools that are trending right now.
Wearable e-Learning tools: Wearable technologies are being incorporated more into e-Learning platforms. Within a few years, wearables will be a part of every classroom doubtlessly! There are 3 wearables as of now. Virtual reality headsets, Augmented reality headsets, and Smartwatches. AR headsets like Google’s HUD ( HUD is an Acronym for Head-up Display, based on AR technology, A head-up display, or heads-up display, also known as a HUD, is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints). Wearables have a huge potential in e-Learning platforms as they make the students engage more in the lecture and offer less distraction. Wearables are in the evolving stage in the e-learning sector, but once they are integrated into the education sector, it revolutionizes the education sector to a whole new level.
Natural Language Processing: Unlike us, computers' language is so simple and has only 1s and 0s. Ours is so complicated we use puns, sarcasm, and movie references. With Natural Language Generation, data can be assessed, analyzed, and communicated with precision. Emails spam boxes or voicemail transcripts on our phones, and Google Translate, all are examples of NLP technology in action, and with Siri and google assistant everyone is aware of Speech recognition.
Gamification: Well, Gamification does not mean playing games per se. It is adding gaming elements to learning methods to increase user engagement. For example, having a quiz game with badges for winners inspires students to perform well in all the quizzes, in simple terms it creates a healthy competitive atmosphere among the peers to perform well. Other gamification strategies may include creating stories to convey information, feedback, rewards, and visual learning. Gamification encourages continuous and active learning and thus providing a quality learning environment for the enrolled students in a playful way.
AR integration: Augmented, the word is derived from the Latin word “auger” meaning to increase or to add. Augmented reality is virtually adding things into the real world to make it more surreal. In simple words, Augmented reality attaches a virtual/ simulated thing to a physical thing in the real world. Some of the day-to-day examples of augmented reality are B612, Snapchat, and Pokemon Go. It helps us to interact with the virtual object that is digitally placed. e-Learning platforms are making use of Augmented reality to take the learning experience to the next level. For instance, if you are an online instructor and the topic you have to handle is Mars, then with the help of AR, you can take all your students on a trip to Mars without actually leaving their place.
VR Integration: Virtual reality(VR) integration is at the forefront of eLearning. Virtual reality enables the viewer to explore the entire 360 degrees of a scene. For example, KFC recently announced it is using VR to train new employees. This is a fine example of its educational potential. Through VR headsets KFC trainees watch the whole process of frying chickens in 10 minutes, rather than the 25 minutes it would take for conventional training methods, reports eLearning Industry. So, KFC interns can learn the entire cooking process without stepping foot in the actual kitchen. At the same time, the training process involves using virtual products, so there is no waste. Though this only means supplementing the course not replacing it!
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: The scope of Artificial intelligence and machine learning is colossal, this simple blog isn't enough to say how much AI can revolutionize learning methods. It helps in giving personalized learning paths, giving the right content to the right user, helps in creating course content in less time, analyzes each student’s performance like how they engage in lectures, their performance in assessments and assignment submissions, and generates reports based on each and every attribute. Also, through Artificial Intelligence, assessments can be performed easily and process inquiries from employees/students in real-time, to accelerate and personalize the learning process. An example might be a chatbot that "decides" what question to ask a student based on the student's previous answers, such as adding questions in areas where the student has had the most incorrect answers or jumping to a higher level when the student consistently enters the correct answers.
Personalized/Assistive Technologies: For students with disabilities, new technologies mean empowerment, putting them on a more equal footing with their classmates than ever before. According to a study in the US conducted by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), just under 7 million students in the U.S. — or about 13% of total public school enrollment — receive special education services. There are many assistive technologies available for people with special needs.These allow students with disabilities to use computers and tablets equipped with modified keyboards featuring larger buttons, cursors they can manipulate with their mouth or feet, and other capabilities. For students whose disability prevents them from using any sort of manual input device, speech-to-text technology has become a reliable alternative. Albert Einstein, the most influential physicist of the 20th century, was dyslexic. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language. But not every dyslexic student manages to shine in their education. One of the cool things about technology today is that it allows for more personalized learning experiences to help kids who have dyslexia or other conditions that cause them to learn differently. For instance, tech like Dragon Speak helps dyslexic students “write” their papers by voice, ensuring that their answers are not limited by their ability to spell or write. In addition, they’re able to learn via audiobooks, rather than moving slowly through text ones.
Learning Analytics platform: Data has a better idea! Data analytics applied to educational purposes is known as learning analytics. By definition Learning analytics “Is the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their context, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and environments in which it occurs.” It is a kind of data mining, through this approach we can build predictive models. For example, we can identify at-risk learners (risk of dropping out of the course) and can help teachers provide intervention to assist learners in achieving success. It also provides adaptive and customized learning based on the learning styles, and user profiles to match their interest and needs. Also, the report generated from analytics helps in management/Institution decisions.
Secure cloud learning: By definition, “Cloud-based learning is online learning that takes place on the cloud – a virtual space that is not tied to any one computer” Basically it means you can learn anything from the cloud from anywhere on earth, remotely accessing the cloud (which may be several thousand miles from you). With cloud learning, you have a backup of all the study materials and resources, for instance, if you have signed up for an online class in a particular institution and that particular server crashes, then you don't have access to your online course. This will not happen in the case of cloud learning. It offers data backup and secure access, protection from crashes, and moreover, it is cost-effective.
Big Data: The world is evolving and so is the way people learn. Tactics used yesterday for an effective learning experience may not work for you tomorrow. The needs of the learners are changing and demanding more personalized attention. To provide a personalized learning environment, we need to have a tight grip on big data analytics. Like a YouTube/ Instagram feed that gives you the videos/Posts you might prefer based on your data, Collecting and analyzing the user data that you preferred during the training module, you can adapt to the unique needs of your learners. In 2022, success will be achieved by those who understand and act on their learners’ behaviors and needs.
Personalization is not only a huge digital marketing trend, but the future of online education as a carefully curated user experience, tailored to be unique to each individual based on their learning methods. For your LMS needs and to integrate AI to personally curate your online education platform, Checkout Expertplus LMS, the top-notch udemy clone. Contact Bsetec and ask for a free demo.