Online learning, or E-learning as it is popularly known, first emerged on the horizons back in the 1990s. It introduced as a medium of augmenting face-to-face learning. However, the last few years have witnessed rapid advancement in E-learning. It has metamorphosed into an innovative and advanced medium that has enhanced accessibility for millions of students and teachers.
Online learning has brought about profound innovations to the modern classroom and workplace. It has made it easier for instructors and students from all over the world to come together and learn. Be it employee training, online degree programs, or digital workplaces. The advantages of online learning are far-reaching and astounding.
It is a flexible and affordable medium of skill-building and professional advancement. It is incredibly convenient and time-saving, and it complements the lifestyles and routines of millennials. The tech-savvy Gen Zalso has much to gain from the rapid developments in online learning. 2020 is all set to be a remarkable year of innovation, without countless projects in the making.
Let’s have a look at closely of the trends that we will witness in 2020 and beyond:
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ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE
A Master’s degree is one of the most vital and significant milestones in any given field or profession. It allows a professional to rise the corporate ladder with dignity and authority. In the past few years, a Master’s degree has become increasingly unaffordable and exuberantly expensive. Online learning has made qualifications and skill-building more accessible and affordable.
Regardless of whether you have a full-time job or struggle with finances, online learning allows you to explore your options. Students from anywhere across the world can enroll for Master’s degree programs at their chosen universities. They can attend online classes and examinations and be a part of a thriving educational system.
Whether you want to pursue a healthcare degree, an MSW online degree, or an MBA. You can browse through a wide array of institutes and universities that offer online learning programs. The convenience of this luxury simply cannot be denied, and digital tools and platforms make the experience incredibly immersive.
DIGITAL WORKSPACES
The skill gap between human resources and machines has widely debated for over a decade. As we step into 2020, this gap is all set to widen. Technical job skills have increased in demand, and organizations are hiring talented professionals from all across the world. A study showed by the McKinsey Global Institute reveals that by 2030, all professionals will have to coexist with machines.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are all set to transform the modern workplace, and we must adapt to these changes. Automation is all set to be the most significant trend to penetrate our lifestyles and work relationships moving forward. It is crucial to adapt to this shift towards the digital workplace, which allows greater flexibility. As opposed to being tied to one organization, professionals can market their services to multiple clients and businesses.
WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING
In the coming years, work-integrated learning expected to emerge as one of the most dominant online learning trends. It covers a wide array of diverse experiences, such as co-ops, applied research, apprenticeships, courses, internships, and more. Work-integrated learning serves the purpose of introducing students to real-world work environments. It introduces students to professional experiences and practice communities in highly controlled environments.
Work-integrated learning comes with a plethora of advantages for all its stakeholders. These stakeholders include organizations, educational institutes, learners, teachers, and hosts. Learners can explore a wide array of opportunities and gain considerable experience in multiple fields and professionals. They can expand their horizons and gain more insight into a particular professional they seek to enter.
This trend promises immense professional development in terms of building relevant and transferrable skills and networking with industry leaders. Academic institutes can gain a greater understanding of the skill and qualification requirements of leading employers. It will allow them to improve educational programs and align them with the competencies required across the market.
Organizations hosting these learning sessions can innovate their workforce and identify growing talent and skilled professionals. Work-integrated learning expected to emerge as a crucial part of academic curriculums and professional careers.
BUSINESS-ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
Much similar to work-integrated learning, business-academic partnerships are much more dynamic and multifaceted. Future online learning advancementsmostly focused on collaborations between businesses and educational institutes. The goal is to allow organizations and institutes to work together to innovate and propel change.
It expected to be a moving vehicle that will open up incredible opportunities for students in building job-relevant skills. The results expected to be powerful, as it will allow students to develop skills and competencies required by leading employers.
For instance, one such collaboration is LiFE-Learning, inspired by FedEx. LiFE is a recent collaboration between the University of Memphis Global and FedEx Express. This degree has designed to fulfill the needs of potential and existing FedEx Express employees. This program will offer a unique and customized solution that will be cost-effective, making enrollment considerably easier.
Such programs aimed at building savvy market skills and increasing the accessibility for higher education opportunities. These business-academic partnerships will reduce the cost of higher education and increase job opportunities for millions of students.
MOBILE LEARNING
The number of mobile users is rapidly increasing, and mobile learning has emerged as a highly convenient medium of skill-building. Mobile learning offers a much more comfortable and immersive experience, alongside being increasingly accessible. Enterprises and businesses across the globe are incorporate mobile learning into their development and training programs.
While this trend was in its infancy back in 2019, in 2020, it expects to ignite with dynamic enthusiasm. Mobile learning solutions are much savvier and efficient than desktop versions. And it comes with an extensive collection of benefits, including convenience, affordability, and accessibility.
FINAL WORD
In the coming years, educational programs and skill-building has become increasingly accessible and convenient. Students from across the world can build up their competencies and enroll for degree programs without incurring high costs.