Unleashing The Topmost Instructional Design Theories For An Engaging Learning Experience

When we reflect on the delivery of e-learning programs to replace the traditions of instructor-led trainings, it also helps to assess the significance of theories based on design and implementation of online learning environments. These theories help to understand how human minds absorb, apply and retain specific information. Due to lack of engagement in a traditional learning design, organizations apply e-learning instructional design model based on Cognitive Theory. This model was aimed to deliver high-order learning experience by improving creative thinking ability. With the fact that difficulty of high-order learning requires more efforts from learners, it is essential for trainers to motivate learners during the experiment.

By adopting the best instructional design theories and models, organizations ensure to deliver engaging online learning experiences. Discussed below are some of the popular instructional design theories that can be embedded with your e-learning courses in the future:

1. Sociocultural Learning Theory

Based on three crucial elements including language, learning culture and proximal development, this theory has been widely accepted across diverse domains. It depicts the significance of workplace culture for the development of new-age employees. For instance, employees within an organization can influence other employees’ thinking ability on a specific topic and how they apply it to real-life situations at workplace.

2. The ADDIE Model

The ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate) model aids instructional designers to handle different kinds of e-learning projects with ease. It also helps them to focus on personalized learning needs and business objectives to achieve the desired training outcomes.

3. Situated Cognition Theory

Utilizing the Situated Cognition theory, learners can apply what they learn during the entire training program. It also helps learners leverage the opportunity to improve their knowledge competency through discussions and problem-solving.

4. Individualized Instruction

An Individualized Instruction model focuses on training individuals as per their customized learning needs. If employees learn and grasp easily, they can continue through training. But, if they do not connect well with the course, then this theory helps them to access training courses at their own pace of time and place. This theory also focuses on the following areas:

◈ Written course materials are preferred over presentations.
◈ Learners are asked to learn as per their convenience of time and location, providing them with an opportunity to work on their strengths and weaknesses.
◈ Educators help learners by adding highly interactive element to the learning experience.

5. SAM Model

By utilizing this model instructional designers can include interactivities at different levels within e-courses. First is the Preparation level, where information is gathered from different sources and then the Iterative Design phase where the design is created and further reviewed.

No matter which instructional design model you choose, it should cater to the personalized needs of diversified audiences. The primary objective is to address diverse customer’s expectations and then accordingly apply instructional design theories to drive the best training outcomes.

Top Mobile App Learning Trends That Will Transform The Face of E-Learning

In today’s modern scenario, organizations have realized that the use of varied mobile learning apps is not an optional investment, but a necessity. Mobile learning is the latest trend adopted by organizations to cater to customized learning needs and improve sales. The ever-evolving mobile app market is dominated by social media, gaming, lifestyle and other apps.

Large enterprises such as healthcare, retail, banks, automobiles and others use mobile applications for product branding, marketing and customer engagement.  Even small companies are adopting mobile learning and designing apps that are tailored to varied learning requirements. Some of the latest mobile app development trends that determine the efficiency of learning are outlined as follows:

1. Internet of Things (IoT)

The idea behind smart classes, smart health, automotive sector and smart retail is growing with time. From healthcare to smart office settings, IoT apps have gradually become mainstream in the year 2017. With increasing demand for connected things, innovative apps are required for smart devices to meet diversified learning needs.

2. Accelerating Mobile Pages (AMP)

With introduction to AMP, loading pages using smart devices is also accelerated. It allows quick and easy loading of pages on your personalized mobile devices, with reduced bounce rates and higher page ranking and visitor frequency.

3. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Apps

In the year 2017, AR and VR have gone beyond gaming and entertainment, driving huge business growth. The market of both these technologies has transformed diverse sectors including retail, healthcare, automobile and others.

4. Cloud-based Apps

Today, most of the organizations prefer designing cloud-based mobile apps, leading to easier access of data without affecting internal phone memory. As per research done by Cisco VNI Global Forecast, cloud apps are expected to drive mobile data traffic to 90% by 2019. [Source: https://crysberry.com/blog/mobile-app-development-trends-2018]. Companies were always concerned about protecting their data, which can now be protected by the cloud.

5. Machine Learning & Chatbots

Conversational interfaces and chatting with online shoppers are highly profitable for businesses. At workplace, bots are used to handle information overload, ease information access and lighten load of repetitive tasks.

6. Lazy Loading 

Lazy loading is the upcoming trend which is expected to drive the future of mobile app learning. There are few images that take much time to load, preventing the learner to access the complete course. As the page loading time increases, the bounce rate grows and the conversation rates decrease. Therefore, this technology is adopted which enables loading of images only when their turn on that page comes.

Certainly, mobile app learning and development is at the cusp in the year 2018. So, it is essential to adopt these latest trends to allow learners access training at their own pace of time and location.

Moving A Way Ahead Through Customized Blended Learning Solutions

The potential of blended learning has redefined in ample ways. It is no more confined to the combination of classroom instruction with e-learning to create a training module. The delivery method took preference in this style of learning, with a prime focus to distribute learning to employees working from diverse locations. Digitization has improved the scope to impart custom e-learning solutions by paving the way for microlearning, gamification and other emerging trends.

Blended Learning: Going Beyond Traditional Training Instruction

A question may arise to your mind: is the technology-aided learning spell an end of classroom-based training? The answer is, no it is not. An effective blended learning program can redefine the way classroom training is provided, making it more engaging. Let us imagine a typical classroom environment:

• The instructor uses sources such as documentations and presentations to explain different concepts.
• The learners are motivated to ask queries once the presentation is complete.
• Handouts of the entire sessions are given to the learners.

Now imagine this scenario-

• TThe trainer shares a calendar with the learners and asks them to complete pre-assessments.
• TThe trainer notifies learners to undergo few courses which will help them to boost their knowledge level, before undergoing a face-to-face session.
• TA highly interactive presentation is prepared based on pre-assessment results, embedding links to engaging games and video nuggets.
• TAssessments during instructor-led session will help the trainer analyze an individual’s performances.
• TFurther, assignments can be completed online, when the learners are back to their workplace.

In the above two scenarios, training is same, but the approach is different.  With the support of technology-oriented blended learning solutions, organizations ensure that learning becomes a measurable outcome.

Social Learning- An Essential Pie for Blended Learning

As training is becoming more learner-centric with the use of innovative tools, it is crucial for an organization to redefine its learning and development strategy. With an introduction to social learning for corporate training, it is crucial to understand its benefits for an optimal learning experience. The conventional approach does not support social learning, thereby unable to embrace an informal learning experience. However, an engaging blended learning program when combined with social learning components leaves a better impact. Different ways in which social media elements can be incorporated with blended learning are discussed here:

• Introducing social media components within classrooms as well as online sessions so that learners are aware of what others are saying. Embedding links to videos and blogs within the courses aid learners get an in-depth insight on the topic.
• Social media acts as an ideal platform to share new ideas and spin off discussions, thereby fostering a continuous learning environment.
• Through social media, learners gain access to a variety of sources including webinars, case studies and more.

Without any shadow of doubt, it is the time for organizations to redesign their e-learning strategies. With employees becoming a crucial aspect for the training process, trainers have found it effective to implement customized e-learning programs that boost employee growth and performance.

Statistics That Will Impact The Future Use Of Learning Management Systems At Workplace

Today, the optimum use of LMSs at workplace has become a significant aspect to impart training, serving as a digital hub for both learners and trainers. New-age learners expect a more customized and discoverable learning environment that ensures the experiences which are more effective and engaging. An LMS allows learners to undergo training at their own pace, with the flexibility to choose when the learning should take place.

Statistics Affecting LMS Market 2018

E-learning delivered through modern LMSs has become a necessity for most of the organizations. Let us discuss the following statistics that will have a major impact on both LMS market and e-learning organizations in the year 2018:

• Modern learners will choose gamified courses

An enterprise LMS's robust content creation tools helps to embed different gaming elements to an e-course. Games entice millions of learners from all over by leveraging motivation as well as engagement. Latest trends towards gamified learning helps reducing the complexity of a well-structured game to its simplest components including scores, badges and leaderboards. Games improve collaboration among the peers and encourage them to participate more and boost their knowledge competence. 

• LMS market will rise

It is expected that the LMS market will rise by 23.17% in the year 2018 [Source: eLearning Stastics]. The LMS market needs to monitor training course accessibility, management of different ourses, create reports, feedback analysis, thereby contributing the highest to revenue generation of the market. 

• Video will generate more traffic

Presently, video-based learning is taking center stage and it has transformed from 'costly, nice-to-have' to the 'new normal' over the past few years. As per CGS Enterprise Learning Survey, video is considered as the most essential change to e-learning strategies [Source: https://act.cgsinc.com/Learning-2017Q1-TrendsPromo_LP-Q12017-Trends.html]. In 2017, video became a significant platform to deliver personalized content over mobile devices and social media platforms. Driven by changing employee demands, customer engagement and cost-reduction, video has shifted front and center for L&D organizations. 

• More investment into L&D

As per Forbes, organizations are expected to invest more money into online learning and development in 2018 [Source: Forbes 2018 Trends]. This will help them to bridge  skills gap, improve their performance and boost the overall business growth. 

2018 is expected to become a promising year for the LMS market across the globe, thereby transforming the entire online learning landscape. By using an LMS, it is possible to deliver customized courses as per the desired needs of all.

Why Is Investing In The New-Age LMS An Optimum Choice?

With digitization, the scope of Learning Management Systems is emerging at a fast pace. Gone are the days when LMS was merely recognized as a platform for learners and educators to exchange relevant information. In addition, several organizations are understanding the significance of continuous training and development, leading to enhanced business growth and planning to invest in new-age LMS. As modern enterprises grow in size, their workforce seek for more lucrative learning & development opportunities. With an increasing need to engage maximum workforce and leverage plethora of growth opportunities amongst the employee base, enterprises are evolving their online learning platforms to cater to the customized learning needs.

Training a workforce spread across diverse demographics presents a daunting challenge in different aspects such as tracking, coordinating and delivering a cohesive learning experience. In today’s digital era, the key to the successful training strategy is theadoption of LMS which can impart dynamic learning experience through improved knowledge sharing and interaction. For organizations planning to implement effective learning solutions, there are several key factors to consider while choosing the right platform:

• Employee Satisfaction

Employee collaboration and problem-solving are one of the efficient methods adopted by modern organizations. Employees have the privilege to access courses at their own convenience of time and location. Supervisors can later modify courses with evolving trends and customer needs, leading to more engaging workforce and continuous learning experience.

•  Data Analytics

One of the primary benefits of analytics in e-learning is that it provides an insight on how a learner will perform during the training program. If you determine that e-courses are not helping learners to meet their goals, then you can use resources as a valuable investment to improve overall learning experience.

• Bite-sized Learning

Learners in today’s age want to access bite-sized content as it is easier to understand and retain. With increasing scope of mobile learning, the new-age learners are accessing courses more over smartphones and tablets. Micro content can be in the form of video nuggets and short infographics which are more engaging than boring text-heavy courses.

Learning is designed with the thought of delivering optimum training outcomes which add real value to the business. Organizations today are adopting new technologies to transform their changing training needs into solutions that will support them today and in the future. As digital technology has become a vital component of virtually every workplace training strategy, the use of new-age LMS is becoming a crucial aspect to impart personalized and engaging e-learning solutions.

Embed Effective E-Commerce Strategies With Online Training

In today’s digital era, organizations from different sectors have started adopting latest technologies to effectively train their workforce. The fast pace of technological innovation imparts new opportunities, thereby reshaping the social context of learning at workplace. Digital learning is an emerging trend adopted for modern learners who are spread across different locations. With an ease to access online courses via Learning Management Systems (LMSs), employees can learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. The availability of courses as per your tailored needs leads to higher employee engagement and retention over traditional classroom approach. 

Today, e-commerce domain is growing exponentially led by the increasing use of personalized mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. The need for e-commerce to deliver effective e-learning solutions is increasing as more organizations are:

● Shifting from tedious face-to-face classroom sessions to online learning platforms.

● Blending the conventional training approach with e-learning.

● Have an e-learning component to deliver personalized experiences, for learners, trainers as well as organizations. 

The need to deliver customized courses for a large number of employees over a common learning platform is increasing. In such cases, a robust e-commerce system is linked to online LMS to facilitate learning and boost workplace productivity. In today’s modern scenario, training process can be simplified through successful online payments and learners can be enrolled automatically. This results in numerous benefits:

● No manual process is required for organizations to deliver training at workplace. It is completely automated so that once the payment is successful, learners can immediately access courses of their choice. 

● Learners can use ‘Single Sign-On’ option from the e-commerce system into the LMS. This helps to mitigate the chances of providing password details as it is not essential to issue login credentials to every individual. 

● Different courses can be combined to buy a single product, either to cater to learning needs of different sectors or offer discounts to encourage access to non-mandatory courses. 

● Data analysis reports can be generated through e-commerce systems to assess individual’s performance. 

In the realm of adopting e-commerce strategies, it is important to focus on investment made on the time and resources required for training. Good customer support is crucial for the success of online content delivery. Today, e-learning via web provides optimum social interaction, proving to be an ideal platform to share new ideas, engage more and improve performance. Learners are provided with multiple learning paths depending on their customized needs so that they can attain the competitive edge in the ever-evolving market conditions.

Significance Of Training Global Manufacturing Workforce Online

With the rapid adoption of latest technologies led by the emerging use of tablets and smartphones has resulted in more efficient online consumer base. Digital disruption has driven a major change in the manufacturing industry.

Companies have started investing on the deployment of modern Learning Management Systems to develop courses that meet the changing needs of modern learners. Therefore, workplace training is essential for this sector as companies need to invest once, but can access courses at their own pace of time and location.

Developing the Future Workforce

In today’s digital era, it is crucial to reinforce learning experiences by delivering quality-proven e-learning solutions and boost product quality by augmenting employee knowledge. Manufacturers face an arduous challenge of attracting a next generation workforce while preserving the knowledge and experience of the existing ones. Companies value employees who have long-term industry experience and have the potential to identify machinery related problems. With machines becoming more connected to the sites, there is a need to hire well-trained workforce. Companies must incorporate continuous learning experience to provide on-the-job training for the new hires as well as existing workforce.

Hiring employees for factory work is daunting, so most manufacturing companies are bothered about their current workforce’s ability to cater to diversified needs. To keep up the good work, they should be innovative-thinkers, decision-makers and problem-solvers. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education is a crucial aspect for innovation in the manufacturing industry. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth rate of STEM will outpace total job growth to double by the year 2018. To meet the evolving demands, companies should seek help of educators to design courses that can be accessed via robust learning platform with ease.

Need of E-Learning in Manufacturing Sector

Technologies are augmenting the capabilities of modern workforce at all levels. Employees need to adapt new skills in the future where there will be enhanced collaboration between machines and humans, ensuring a more secure and efficient workplace environment. Different kinds of e-courses that are perfect for employees working in this sector include the following:

• Short and crisp e-courses are developed in the form of videos or presentations so that employees can learn at their own pace without any hassle. 
• Content is embedded with interactive videos so that employees can understand the actual scenarios and take safety measures before going to the site.
• Safety programs are organized to efficiently educate employees on workplace safety, material safety, risk handling and more.

A traditional classroom training approach won’t be enough, so it is essential to deliver efficient courses through online learning platforms that simulate real-life situations at workplace. The workforce of tomorrow requires training that prepares them to thrive in a fast pacing technological environment.