In 2021, most educational institutions will continue online classes to protect students from coronavirus. Likewise, most enterprises will run online employee learning and development (EL&D) programs to train, reskill, and upskill human resources safely and cost-efficiently. That is why; the demand for widely used elearning solutions like learning management systems (LMS) will increase consistently in the near future.
Several market forecast reports suggest that the global LMS market will grow steadily over the next few years.
According to FortuneBusinessInsights.com,
“The global learning management (LMS) system market size was $8.76 billion in 2019 & is projected to reach $38.10 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 19.7% in the forecast period.”
However, the trends in eLearning and EL&D will continue to change frequently. Both educational institutions and business enterprises will need learning management systems (LMSs) that are easy to customize, upgrade, and scale. Also, they will explore ways to curtail overall costs while leveraging the new-age eLearning solutions.
That is why; most organizations will opt for cloud-based LMS solutions to leverage a slew of benefits – cost, flexibility, scalability, customizability, security, and maintainability. However the decision-makers have to consider many LMS predictions and trends for 2022 to choose an LMS that boosts the learning experience, facilitates learner engagement, and adopts the hottest eLearning trends.
9 Important LMS Predictions and Trends Decision-Makers Must Consider in 2022
Blended Learning Model
Most schools and colleges have announced their decision to continue online classes in the academic session 2021-22 after reopening. Likewise, most companies will train employees remotely while they work from home. That is why; they will need LMS solutions in 2022 that support the blended learning model. In addition to allowing learners to access multi-format educational content, the LMS must facilitate instructor-led learning. Also, the decision-makers will look for LMS solutions that come with built-in video conferencing and audio conferencing features.
Multi-Format Digital Content
While comparing LMSs, organizations often check if the eLearning solution allows students to access a wide range of digital content – ebooks, audiobooks, video lectures, infographics, presentations, and quizzes. In 2022, the demand for LMS solutions that support multi-format digital content will increase. Decision-makers will opt for LMS systems that allow a student to acquire knowledge by reading an ebook, watching a video lecture, or listening to an audiobook. Also, many organizations prefer LMS solutions that come with complementary digital libraries.
Active Learner Engagement
No organization can implement online learning or online training successfully without focusing on active learner engagement. Decision-makers will look for LMS solutions that come with native features and options to promote active learner engagement. In 2022, most LMS solutions will feature discussion forums, leaderboards, query corners, chats, and nuggets. Many organizations will use active learner engagement options as a key parameter while comparing or choosing cloud-based LMS solutions in 2022.
Gamified Learning Experience
Gamification will remain one of the hottest eLearning and LMS trends in 2022. In addition to keeping learners engaged and motivated, gamified learning is effective in boosting knowledge retention and transfer. While planning or customizing virtual classrooms, most educators will explore ways to add game designs and elements. Decision-makers will look for LMSs that gamify the learning experience by providing popular options like virtual coins and badges. However, many educators will look for LMS that allows them to implement popular classroom gamification ideas.
Flexible Training Options
Unlike students, working professionals have to acquire knowledge along with fulfilling their professional responsibilities. That is why; enterprises will look for LMS solutions that support flexible learning options. They will opt for LMS solutions in 2022 that enable the employee to learn at her own pace and convenience using a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. At the same time, they will prefer LMSs that enable employees to access educational content in their preferred format and create personalized learning paths.
Microlearning and Social Learning
At present microlearning and social learning are the hottest trends in eLearning. In 2022, educators will continue microlearning to make it easier for learners to acquire and retain information. They will focus on keeping learning units small as well as delivering short bursts of educational content. Likewise, educators will facilitate social learning to make students learn by observing and imitating the behavior of others. That is why; decision-makers must consider microlearning and social learning as important LMS predictions for 2022.
Mixed and Extended Learning
Many experts believe that augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have the potential to transform both conventional and online learning completely. The extended reality (ER) technology will make the learning experience more immersive. The technologies will enable learners to acquire knowledge by visualizing concepts instead of reading or hearing information. Mixed reality or extended reality technologies will remain one of the hottest LMS trends in 2020. Many LMS solutions will be redesigned or upgraded to deliver an immersive learning experience by leveraging ER technologies.
Big Data Analytics
Educational institutions cannot personalize the learning experience of individual students only by gathering real-time data from diverse sources. They can leverage and operationalize large and diverse data only by using big data analytics.
According to SimpliLearn.com,
“Big data analytics is a process used to extract meaningful insights, such as hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends, and customer preferences.”
In 2022, decision-makers will look for LMS solutions that come with built-in big data analytics to facilitate adaptive learning by delivering personalized educational content to every learner.
Data Security
Like businesses and startups, educational institutions these days collect sensitive data regularly after switching to e-learning.
According to The Economic Times,
“It is no surprise that educational institutions are prone to vulnerabilities, frequently falling victim to massive data breaches due to malicious outsiders, human error or policy blind spots.”
The educational organizations will implement elaborate strategies to boost data security and prevent data breaches. Also, they will look for LMS that comes with native features to strengthen data security.
Both educational institutions and business enterprises will opt for cloud-based LMS solutions in 2022. However, the eLearning trends and LMS trends change at frequent intervals. The decision-makers have to keep in mind both LMS predictions and trends in 2022 to choose an eLearning solution that will remain useful and relevant over a longer period of time.
