We follow the top 10 trends e-learning for languages for 2019 to discover both the novelties that will be a gap in online training this year, as well as those technologies and methodologies that continue to take hold. In the first part of the top 10 e-learning we point out: video-learning, microlearning or instant learning, mobile learning, content curation and digital identity as five trends that will stand out in the development of online training, blended learning and language laboratories.
In this second part, we review the influence that virtual assistants, social learning, adaptive learning, gamification and virtual reality will have.
Top 10 E-Learning Trends in 2019 (6-10)
#6 Virtual Assistants
With the boom of virtual assistants from big companies like Apple, Amazon or Google, it is not surprising that this technology has been imported into the e-learning sector.
With an audience that is used to performing more and more actions by voice, LMS will slowly adapt to this technology. From tutorials based on questions and answers to requesting translations or using voice to operate the entire course, mainly with regard to the interface. As a result, not only will training align with popular tastes, but it will also become more accessible.
#7 Social Learning
The concept of social collaboration has provided forums and social networks and has been exported to many sectors, e-learning being one of them. Voluxion LMS provides access to online communities and social tools such as forums and message boards that encourage teamwork and discussions.
These social tools also provide other added benefits to intellectual enrichment and offer human interaction, which greatly differentiates face-to-face training from online training.
#8 Adaptive Learning
If there is one trend with the most potential for growth, it is undoubtedly adaptive learning. And, in keeping with content curation, it makes it possible to offer each student personalized content, tailored to their real and specific needs.
The objective of adaptive learning is to personalize the educational experience by individualizing it until all its contents are relevant and innovative for the student.
Effective tests can be used to check the level and knowledge of a student in advance so that any content the student already knows can be removed from the course and students can go more in depth with content they are unfamiliar with. In this way, online training is more useful and interesting.
CAE online platforms specialized in languages can be programmed to automatically suggest exercises that focus on students’ weaker areas as they progress through the course content.
#9 Gamification
Using gamification mechanics in e-learning to boost motivation and student engagement will continue to grow in 2019.
Motivation is fundamental in e-learning training where there is no obligation to physically attend class and it is easy to lose interest.
To help students make the most of their language courses and to combat drop-out rates, gamification can be used to create a good motivation and coaching plan with the ability to set objectives, measure achievements and convey them to participants either individually with badges or trophies or as a group by utilizing leaderboards, etc.
#10 VR Virtual Reality
As sales of VR glasses increase, it is normal for this technology to spread from video games to other branches. In operating rooms, doctors already use it to practice and improve their accuracy during operations. It is also utilized in the real estate sector, where it can be used to visit properties virtually without needing to travel anywhere.
For online language training, virtual reality can transform live classes into virtual classrooms where, instead of staring at a computer screen or mobile device, students can immerse themselves in a 3D virtual environment where they can attend live classes or consult other resources right at their fingertips (dictionaries, karaoke, magazines, etc.).
For face-to-face classes, tests have already begun with good results, as the case study shows:
Having access to these tools and having students use VR improved their ability to recall information we discussed. Because it’s a different medium, it engaged them in a completely different way.”
VR in the Classroom | AMD. Amd.com (https://www.amd.com/en/corporate-responsibility/technology-classroom)
However, this technology has some disadvantages. Three of them are pointed out by Chris Christou in the book Affective, Interactive and Cognitive Methods for E-learning Design: Creating an Optimal Education Experience:
- Potentially high financial costs of acquiring a system.
- Lack of realism/fidelity/skill transfer issues.
- Physical effects on end-users
Affective, Interactive and Cognitive Methods for E-Learning Design: Creating an Optimal Education Experience, Edition: 1, Chapter: 12, Publisher: IGI Global, Editors: Aimilia Tzanavari, Nicolas Tsapatsoulis, pp.228-243
After reviewing the Top 10 E-Learning Trends for Languages in 2019, it is clear that the real trend this year will be that contents and tools that reach students will evolve into relevant, flexible, interactive, engaging and specialized training with several common objectives: offer students things that really interest them and do it in a way that captures their interest.
As we have seen, language learning (online, blended and labs) is no stranger to the trends in this sector; in fact, many of them specifically enhance this type of training. This is the case for virtual reality, which will favor language immersion, microlearning, which gives students access to specific learning nuggets to meet students’ specific needs, or mobile learning, which enables 100% portable learning.