The Future of Learning Design: Trends and Predictions
Technology advancements and a better understanding of how people learn have prompted substantial changes in the field of learning design in recent years. Learning design will undoubtedly continue to change and adapt as companies and learners’ needs change in the years to come.
The move towards individualised learning is one of the major themes in instructional design. This entails customising learning experiences to meet the unique requirements and preferences of individual learners while using data and analytics to guide the design phase. Since personalised learning has been proven to increase retention and engagement, it is anticipated to gain popularity in the coming years.
The use of immersive technology like virtual and augmented reality is another trend in learning design. These innovations have the capacity to produce incredibly interactive and compelling learning scenarios that mimic real-world scenarios. Employee training in risky or complicated environments, like healthcare or aviation, might benefit greatly from this.
Also, there is an increasing emphasis on creating educational experiences that are inclusive of and accessible to all learners, regardless of their origins or abilities. This entails making sure that learning materials are created to be easily accessible and comprehended by all learners while also taking into account characteristics like language, culture, and disability.
Gamification, which involves introducing game-like elements into learning sessions to boost engagement and motivation, is another significant trend in learning design. From corporate training to academic settings, gamification has been proven to be beneficial in a variety of circumstances.
Finally, there is a rising understanding of the value of soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in the workplace. As a result, learning designers are placing more and more emphasis on creating learning experiences that assist learners in effectively and meaningfully developing these skills.
Learning designers must stay current with the most recent research and industry best practises in order to stay ahead of these trends and continue to create effective learning experiences. This could entail participating in conferences and workshops, reading professional journals and trade periodicals, and working with other industry experts.
In conclusion, a variety of trends and technologies, such as personalised learning, immersive technologies, and gamification, are likely to affect the future of learning design. Yet, the core of any successful learning design is a focus on producing effective, accessible, and engaging learning experiences that satisfy the requirements of both businesses and learners.
References:
Dicheva, D., Dichev, C., Agre, G., & Angelova, G. (2015). Gamification in education: A systematic mapping study. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 18(3), 75-88.
Educause (2019). 7 Things You Should Know About Personalized Learning. Retrieved from https://library.educause.edu/resources/2019/5/7-things-you-should-know-about-personalized-learning
Laurillard, D. (2012). Teaching as a design science: Building pedagogical patterns for learning and technology. Routledge.
Marr, B. (2019). How Virtual And Augmented Reality Will Revolutionize Learning And Development. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/07/22/how-virtual-and-augmented-reality-will-revolutionize-learning-and-development/?sh=29cf52c4e6f4
McCarthy, J. (2017). The Future of Soft Skills in an Automated World. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2017/03/the-future-of-soft-skills-in-an-automated-world
Molnar, A. (2019). The Rise of Inclusive Design. eLearning Industry. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/inclusive-design-for-elearning-trends-tips-examples