eLearning is an essential part of teaching in the 21st-century. Having different strategies to administer lessons can benefit students and maximize learning potential. Below you will find trends that are currently shaping the industry. 

1. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has become an important part of 21st-century learning. Virtual reality creates a digital learning experience that allows students to have experiences that they would not otherwise be able to have, such as field trips to historical sites. A great aspect of virtual reality is that it can be implemented on computers, so all eLearning students will have access to this opportunity. 

For example, students can visit places like museums and historical sites through virtual reality technology. This gives the students a first-hand look at places and events they would not otherwise experience, especially during eLearning where students are not in-person. Since most learning is now being done online, and in-person learning is being limited, students cannot go on field trips like they used to. Virtual reality allows students to go on “field trips” without having to leave the comfort and safety of their home. 

2. Gamification

Gamification is a way of making lessons into fun and interactive experiences. Lessons can be gamified using many different applications and websites, such as Khan Academy and Duolingo.  There are resources for every subject matter so that all teachers can provide their students with a fun learning experience, regardless of what subject they are teaching. 

Gamification can be an especially beneficial strategy during eLearning because it can engage students who may be distracted within their homes. When students are in the classroom, distractions can be minimized, but when a student learns from home, the teacher has no control over distractions. Gamifying a lesson can help a student stay focused because they will enjoy what they are doing.

3. Artificial Intelligence

When asked about Artificial Intelligence, many people still think of evil robots and talking machines; this might deter teachers from implementing artificial intelligence in the classroom, putting them at a disadvantage. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps teachers save time by automating administrative tasks. For example, teachers can now grade using automated programs. Although this cannot be used for all types of grading (i.e., long answers or essays), it can provide help so that you can focus more time and energy on other important tasks.

AI also provides supplemental learning material. Many textbooks and online lessons now use AI to provide students with study resources such as flashcards, quizzes, and interactive lessons to help students engage with lessons more thoroughly.

Artificial intelligence can also be implemented to assist with specialized learning for individual students through Adaptive Technology 

4. Adaptive Technology

Adaptive technology is helping students engage with learning in a way that fits their needs. Every student has different strengths and weaknesses and learns at different speeds. Instead of keeping the whole class on the same topic for an extended amount of time, adaptive learning allows struggling students to revisit an important topic. In contrast, other students can move forward with their learning so that they do not get bored. 

If a classroom has many students, teachers can find that getting one-on-one time with each student is hard. Adaptive technology responds to students’ needs as they are learning so that questions can be addressed in real-time without having to wait for a teacher to answer a question; this can be especially helpful in an eLearning setting that requires different management strategies than an in-person classroom.

Sometimes it may be hard for teachers to gauge whether a student has a full understanding of a topic. The use of adaptive technology allows students to demonstrate their understanding rather than simply relying on the teacher’s perception of understanding. 

Adaptive technology helps teachers create and administer content in personalized ways to ensure that student learning is maximized. 

5. Microlearning 

Microlearning is a unique strategy that can assist with administering eLearning. Microlearning involves creating short lessons that focus on one particular topic and assists with learning particular skills. Microlearning can be compared to short training videos that are mandatory in the workplace. 

Teachers in virtual classrooms may find that their students are struggling to focus on long lessons from home. Microlearning helps chunk lessons into important concepts that students can focus on one at a time. If you are interested in administering microlearning in your online classroom, make sure that your lessons are clear and concise. 

6. Mobile Learning 

Mobile Learning allows students to access resources from their smartphones. Implementing technology and resources that students can access anytime is helpful if they are not directly at their computer or if they have to share a computer with family members. Using applications that are compatible across different platforms allows students to learn at all times. Ensuring that mobile learning is possible also means that students can download and access materials without an internet connection. 

Conclusions 

Implementing these eLearning trends in your classroom will help you provide students with important resources to maximize learning.