According to one recent study, the global e-learning market is expected to hit an enormous $336 billion in value by as soon as 2026.
To put that into perspective, that's a yearly growth rate of about 9.1% every year between 2018 and 2026.
Note that today, about 40% of all Fortune 500 companies use e-learning in some capacity on a regular basis.
This is done largely to address any skills gaps they may have, and to better prepare their workforce for the challenges that tomorrow might bring with it.
Technology-driven learning can and should become something more than traditional learning environments ever could - but if you're not careful, it's all too easy to fall into the same traps regardless of which digital learning tools you try to bring in.
Technology selected simply because you think "that's what you're supposed to do" will only muddy the waters and put you farther away from your goals, not closer to them.
To go beyond the basics, you need to carefully address learning technology integration in a way that is built with your organization, your people, and your goals in mind.
Selecting The Right Learning Management System (LMS)
In terms of LMS selection, one of the biggest factors to prioritize ultimately comes down to user-friendliness.
Remember that you want people to actually engage with this platform, and to get to that point, it needs to be as easy and as enjoyable to do as possible.
Therefore, look for an LMS with a sleek, responsive design for mobile access and that is generally easy for both learners and administrators to navigate.
Along the same lines, you'll also want to look for an LMS that can grow as your organization (and its goals) do the same.
Your LMS should be just as easy to use and engage with at 10 users as it is at 10,000 users.
Not that you'll necessarily need to support that level of users simultaneously, but you should be able to grow without worrying about issues.
A few of the other features that you should prioritize in LMS selection include but are not limited to ones like:
- Customization. The ability to tailor the platform to your organization's branding, content structure, and learner needs is crucial for a cohesive learning experience.
- Analytics and Reporting. Built-in reporting tools that track learner progress, engagement, and performance are essential for making data-driven decisions.
- Integration. Your LMS should integrate seamlessly with other enterprise systems (e.g., HR systems, CRM tools, and productivity software) for a unified experience.
- Social Learning. Look for features like discussion forums, peer reviews, and collaboration spaces can increase learner engagement and foster a sense of community.
Note that even when you know exactly what to look for, you'll still have an overwhelming number of options available to you.
To narrow things further, evaluate your LMS options based on your specific organizational needs.
The industry you're operating in.
The unique goals you're trying to accomplish.
These are all things that can and should impact which LMS you ultimately select.
Start by determining the core features that you need to accomplish whatever goals you've set out for yourself.
Consider the different content delivery methods that will be required to create the most effective learning experience possible.
Assess a platform based on user support and training, and contextualize all this against the idea of cost versus value.
Are you getting more value than what you're paying in upfront costs?
If the answer is "no," you've found an LMS that you can effectively cross off your list.
That segues into one of the most important tips for successful LMS implementation and adoption - communicate that value as much as possible.
You need to be able to clearly explain the benefits of this learning management system to employees and why it will make their learning and development experience better than it is right now.
Once you've actually made your LMS selection, begin by training admins and users to help them navigate the system with ease.
At that point, you can begin your full deployment - but you still need to start small and scale upward.
Monitor things as they're happening and make any adjustments you need to keep things functioning smoothly.
All the while, encourage engagement wherever you can to get people using the system and to highlight how effective it truly is.
Leveraging Digital Tools for Enhanced Learning
During this time, advanced digital tools will help reshape not only how easy it is to design a modern-day learning experience, but how impactful it can be as well.
A few of the emerging technologies that you should concern yourself with include but are not limited to ones like:
- Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, or AR and VR for short. These technologies enable immersive learning experiences, making it possible to simulate real-world scenarios. For example, VR can be used for safety training, while AR can help employees practice skills in a controlled, risk-free environment.
- Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short. AI can personalize learning experiences by adapting content to meet the specific needs of individual learners. AI-powered chatbots can provide real-time support, while AI-based analytics can help identify knowledge gaps and recommend targeted learning paths.
Similarly, you should be working to integrate mobile learning and microlearning into your efforts, too.
Mobile learning gives learners the flexibility they expect when it comes to accessing training materials and other course content on their smartphones and tablets.
Microlearning delivers short, focused learning experience that gives people the skills and tools they need in the moment.
Of course, never embrace modern learning technology integration just for the sake of it.
It doesn't matter what digital learning tools you're talking about, make sure its use aligns with your desired learning outcomes and do whatever it takes to guarantee that adding it enhances engagement, not takes away from it.
The Rise Of Micro-Credentials In Corporate Learning
Even though micro-credentials are not quite the same thing as digital learning tools, they hit a lot of the same themes.
Micro-credentials are small, focused certifications that demonstrate proficiency in specific skills.
They offer a lot of the same benefits that modern learners are after, like flexibility, agility, and most importantly credibility.
To create a successful micro-credential program, you must first define clear learning outcomes.
What will success actually look like in this context?
Once you know that, you can work your way backwards to design the steps needed to take you from where you are to where you want to be.
Make sure that all content is accessible in flexible learning formats (think: online courses, webinars, etc.) and include assessments like quizzes and other projects to gauge success in real-time.
Provide tangible rewards, such as digital badges or certificates, that learners can showcase on professional networks like LinkedIn.
Don't underestimate what a profound impact this can have on engagement.
Overall, micro-credentials can be a crucial addition to your larger learning strategy because of the ways in which these courses complement traditional learning.
They support career development in a more precise, focused way and they even enable custom learning paths as well.
Data Analytics And Learning: Making Informed Decisions
Throughout this time, you'll want to leverage data analytics and similar tools to help make the most informed decisions possible given the available information.
By tracking key metrics like completion rates and engagement you can get a better understanding of any knowledge gaps that exist and how to solve them.
You can also improve learning outcomes in real time, which should always be a top priority.
One of the more advanced tools that you can use to do this is a real-time dashboard.
This can give administrators a snapshot of learner performance, allowing them to intervene when needed.
A more straightforward example would be surveys and feedback forms - this can be used to get deeper insights into the real experiences learners are having and how satisfied they ultimately are with them.
Overall, data analytics can be used to create personalized learning paths that are tailored to the needs and preferences of individual learners.
For example, AI can recommend courses based on prior performance, learning style, and career aspirations, ensuring that employees are always on the most effective path.
LX Studio's Approach to Technology Integration
At LX Studio, we're big believers in a lot of the technology integration outlined above - but not at the expense of what you're trying to do and how it best needs to be accomplished.
Whenever we partner with a new organization to design micro-credential programs, for example, we make sure that they're aligned with both industry standards AND any unique organizational goals you've laid out for yourself.
Those become the goal posts for everything else we're doing.
Any digital learning tools that we incorporate are added based on how well they factor into those two elements.
Tools that are in support of them are utilized to the best of their ability.
Those that don't have any place in what we're setting out to accomplish.
Because of this holistic approach to technology integration, our team is able to work closely with organizational partners to create more customized, scalable programs.
They're the type of learning modules that enhance employee skills across the board, all while driving business outcomes at the exact same time.
In the end, the fast-paced modern world that we're living in demands that leaders in all industries re-think the way they're approaching learning opportunities for their workforce.
No longer do we have time to lean into the basics, preparing someone for real-world scenarios in a general sense and hoping they can "upskill" themselves while on-the-job.
Especially in the wake of an ever-increasing skills gap, people need to hit the ground running in order for businesses to remain competitive.
That requires a more impactful approach to learning that goes beyond the basics, and creatively leveraging technology will be a big part of how you do it.
In addition to incorporating modern learning technologies and micro-credentials, assets like data analytics must be incorporated into your training strategy moving forward.
Not only can this help to significantly enhance your employee development capabilities, but it will also go a long way toward empowering your business performance moving forward.
At LX Studio, we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and our ability to tailor the learning experience to partners across the board.
In addition to offering expert consultation so that you can see where your gaps are and potentially how to fill them, we also provide the customized solutions needed to help stay one step ahead of your competitors in the rapidly evolving world of corporate learning as well.
If you'd like to find out more information about leveraging technology for more impactful learning, or if you have any additional questions about what it looks like to go beyond the basics with the right LMS selection that you'd like to discuss in a bit more detail, please don't hesitate to reach out to LX Studio today.
