The Top Learning Trends You Need to Know

Introduction?

In today's rapidly evolving world, learners have high expectations regarding training. Learning and development professionals seek purposeful innovation and modern technologies that can enhance their learners’ experiences. This article explores the top 6 learning trends that have gained popularity among learning and development professionals: blended training, video-based learning, social learning, message-based learning, augmented reality and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. However, it's important to note that simply incorporating these tools is not enough. To create effective training materials, learning and development professionals must implement them purposefully, with clear goals and expectations. This article provides insights into when, why, and how to utilize these instructional trends to deliver impactful learning experiences.?

Trend 1: Blended Learning?

In-person, instructor-led training has long been considered the best form of group instruction, while the virtual space has been reserved for content-heavy presentations or self-guided eLearning. In the past, instructor-led virtual learning has sometimes been met with frustration because of the often-clunky tools that were needed to facilitate virtually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a dramatic shift in the learning and development landscape that significantly altered learners' desires and expectations for education. Quarantining and social distancing measures compelled both instructors and learners to quickly adapt their practices to a virtual environment. The tools themselves also saw a rapid evolution as software companies met the increasing demand. As we emerge from the pandemic, in-person, instructor-led training has regained popularity, but the flexibility in learning that emerged during the crisis remains highly valued. Blended learning, which combines in-person and virtual instructor-led training with self-guided eLearning, has become the new standard.?

In-person, instructor-led training enables direct learning between the instructor, trainee, and fellow learners, fostering interpersonal connections and collaboration. This training modality is particularly effective for application-based and experiential training that encourages team building. It also provides flexibility in terms of spatial arrangements and movement, allowing facilitators to relocate groups to different areas to efficiently deliver specific information. Virtual instructor-led training has its own strengths, such as delivering didactic content, facilitating peer-to-peer discussions, and sharing best practices; in addition, it is more cost-effective than traditional methods that typically involve renting conference centers and making travel arrangements.??

Nevertheless, it has become increasingly apparent that today’s learners want to engage with their learning in multiple ways, and they value methods that fit within their busy schedules while also maximizing productivity at work. To truly meet their expectations and optimize learning outcomes, we must embrace a blended approach that incorporates virtual and in-person learning programs and self-paced or distance learning. A comprehensive example of this approach is the design of a multimodal program we have developed at Illuminate for a client's product launch. The program begins with a two-week home study that includes videos, e-learning modules, and daily virtual calls to build foundational knowledge. It is followed by a three-day virtual meeting where learners practice applying their knowledge, and then a week-long home study program focused on the client's product. The program culminates in a three-day, in-person launch meeting with workshops featuring role-plays, application activities, games, and group collaborations. Learners engage with and reinforce the learning material through this blended approach and strategic use of instructor-led training, maximizing their knowledge acquisition and preparedness.?

Trend 2: Video-Based Learning?

Video content is becoming increasingly prevalent in the realm of learning and development as learners’ preferences for consuming information, highly influenced by platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, evolve. Learners desire content that is convenient and easy to access, and these platforms have made it easier than ever to create and disseminate that content in video form. In fact, users have now come to expect video as a preferred modality for receiving information. Even news outlets often embed quick video summaries into their online news articles. Research has shown that the average internet user’s attention span has greatly decreased over the last 20 years and many point to social media and high-speed internet access as a leading cause.??

Learner preference and shorter attention spans have contributed to a demand for shorter instructional videos, but the practice of creating short, digestible content is also rooted in learning science. Research suggests that shorter videos, typically under six minutes in length, have a higher completion rate, and are linked to a greater quality of information being absorbed. This is because “chunking” relevant information into short segments reduces learners’ cognitive load and improves learning retention.? This also allows busy field representatives to consume content when they can, knowing that they are often in the field focusing on customer interactions. The key is for the video to maintain focus and organization while delivering relevant content. If additional time is needed, it is advisable to break the content into multiple shorter videos rather than overwhelming learners with a single lengthy video.??

Another effective strategy in creating video learning content, as highlighted by psychologist Richard Mayer's principles of multimedia learning, is to use real human voices with a conversational tone rather than computer-generated voices or overly formal speakers. Incorporating elements of surprise, empathy, and humor into videos can significantly enhance engagement and aid memory retention.??

When utilizing video content, it is essential to consider the learning objectives best suited for video-based learning and then determine the type of video that will most appropriately meet those objectives. Within learning and development, whiteboard videos, 3D animation, and explainer videos are commonly used to provide visual explanations and enhance learner understanding. Additionally, videos featuring internal or external experts can be powerful tools to deliver insights and expertise to a large audience at scale. Interactive videos have gained increasing popularity over the years for their effectiveness at engaging learners as they respond to questions, click on embedded resources, or even “choose their own adventure” to access training most relevant to their needs.?

Trend 3: Social and Collaborative Learning?

Social and collaborative learning has gained tremendous momentum in recent years, also largely in response to the increasing role of social media in our lives. YouTube, TikTok, and Meta platforms enable individuals to share information which can be liked, commented on, and shared by anyone. There are also a growing number of learning-focused platforms, like Udemy and Skillshare, which allow anyone to create and launch online courses or educational content. These avenues for delivery empower individuals to post what they know and engage as both teacher and student on any number of topics. Learners now expect to be active contributors to their own learning process, and social learning provides a means to leverage their experiences, skills, and knowledge. Collaborative learning allows peers with varying levels of experience and skillsets to share knowledge and enhance each other's training. It can be effectively implemented synchronously or asynchronously, both in-person and virtually.??

In synchronous settings, facilitators must remember that their role is not to instruct but to enable peer-to-peer interaction. Providing clear structure and expectations is essential for the effective functioning of collaborative learning groups. Adequate time should be allotted for learners to collaborate, ensuring that they can engage deeply with the material and offer diverse perspectives.??

Asynchronous social learning leverages online platforms, discussion forums, and collaborative tools to achieve similar goals. Video platforms like Rehearsal, SmartWinnr, and Loom can facilitate role-play scenarios and allow for peer-to-peer constructive feedback at a distance. Social learning platforms like 360Learning offer a modernized approach to knowledge sharing, leveraging users’ familiarity with social media platforms.?

Trend 4: Message-Based Learning?

A relatively new trend in learning and development is message-based learning. This approach acknowledges the ubiquity of mobile devices in learners' lives and delivers bite-sized learning material directly to their phones via text messages, emails, or other forms of communication. Platforms such as Arist and Google's Whisper emails have demonstrated success in this space. Arist, for example, delivers lessons via text messages directly to learners’ devices consisting of images, up to 1,200 characters, and interactive questions over a series of days. We know that adult learners are more motivated to engage with content that fits into their lives and provides a clear benefit to their work or interests. By providing content in spaces in which learners are already operating we can remove barriers of time and access. This approach allows learners to engage with the material at their convenience while ensuring the content is digestible. Like micro-learning, message-based learning is built upon the idea that spaced, continuous learning reduces cognitive load and enhances retention. This approach can be particularly effective in delivering concise and impactful learning content directly to learners.?

Trend 5: Immersive Learning via Augmented and Virtual Reality?

Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) are gaining significant traction in professional development. While AR has become more accessible thanks to technological advancements, VR has also made strides in recent years. AR can be integrated into eLearning modules through most authoring tools, providing a tactile element and allowing learners to interact with 3D representations of objects. This immersive experience enhances engagement and facilitates kinesthetic learning, which was previously only applicable during in-person settings. In-person events can also benefit from AR by incorporating gamification elements to reinforce learning. For instance, at Illuminate, we have successfully integrated AR into workshop activities, fostering team-building and knowledge reinforcement. Conversely, VR offers a fully immersive experience with visual, auditory, and tactical stimulation. It can allow learners to explore anatomical features up close or participate in experiential reenactments that deepen their understanding and empathy. VR can create memorable and impactful learning experiences that traditional methods may not offer. For example, simulating a patient experience, like a seizure or movement disorder, can help learners really understand what it is like to be in the patient’s shoes.??

Trend 6: Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a growing trend across all industries, and learning and development is no exception. Within the learning and development field AI is most frequently applied using different models of machine learning, a subset of AI. Many learning developers may be familiar with supervised learning models, which take the form of decision trees and branching scenarios in online learning courses and assessments. An increasing number of learning technologies have been developed that offer forms of unsupervised and reinforcement learning. These learning platforms leverage predictive models and feedback loops to create personalized learning paths based on learner performance.?

Tools like SmartWinnr and Qstream have the functionality to provide modules and assessments based on AI-driven data, while LMS and authoring platforms like Area9 Lyceum and SmartSparrow are comprehensive eLearning delivery options which have both pre-set branching as well as algorithmic adaptivity.?

The newest variation of AI, and the one generating the most buzz lately, is natural language processing, which models human learning and can take the form of chatbots and virtual assistants, most notably ChatGPT. This technology can be leveraged to function as a one-on-one tutor, as with Khan Academy’s Khanmigo and Quizlet’s Q-chat, or to simulate customer interactions and provide personalized coaching, as with BrainShark and SecondNature.ai .??

What is interesting about the AI trend is that its implications go beyond how learning is delivered. There are AI-based tools that can help learning professionals use performance-based data to better identify needs and gaps in knowledge and skills. There are also a growing number of tools that can help learning developers write and create learning content based on a set of inputs and parameters.?

AI has the potential to make learning faster, targeted, more personalized, and more effective. It can adapt to each learner to give them more of what they need and less of what they don’t to optimize their entire learning journey. We have only just begun to scratch the surface of the potential of AI. As technology advances, new tools and applications will continue to emerge. It is important for learning professionals to understand the technology and how to use it so that they can leverage it to its greatest advantage.?

Conclusion?

Understanding and effectively implementing these recent trends in learning and development can empower organizations to achieve innovative and impactful training practices. As technology advances and more research in education emerges, these trends will evolve. However, implementing new trends and tools just for activity’s sake isn’t wise. To develop people with impact, learning and development professionals must implement them purposefully, with clear goals and expectations. Doing so successfully can deliver truly transformative learning experiences.??