E-Learning Transformation: Making the Shift

Digital Transformation has taken hold of your Learning, whether we are ready or not. The focus of building a highly skilled workforce is more important than ever to a company’s innovation and competitive advantage. E-Learning is one of the fastest growing industries, and it continues to grow rapidly. Since the year 2000, the market growth rate had been 900% even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many other institutions of higher learning which have been caught unaware, Manipal GlobalNxt University has had little difficulty in adapted to the changing learning landscape. That’s because it has been delivering a completely online and yet very effective and engaging learning experience to busy executives since the last two decades.

Global Classroom

At Manipal GlobalNxt University, the global classroom consists of international students drawn from various professional industries and regions across Australia to Asia, to Europe, to Canada. Yet, they are all connected seamlessly overcoming barriers such as distance or time zones. The cutting edge learning pedagogy is primarily based on connected learning, not just plain self-paced learning. Learner-to-learner interaction or peer interaction is an integral part of its unique pedagogy.

Manipal GlobalNxt University did not want to adopt the traditional eLearning model which was primarily self-paced and focused on delivering isolated learning experience. Much before social media became popular, the University had implemented those very concepts to allow their learners a completely connected learning experience.

The proofs are in the Completion Rate

Traditionally, distance learning has struggled to achieve a completion rate of even 50%. Manipal GlobalNxt University’s connected learning pedagogy disrupted the system completely by pushing the completion rates to almost 100%. Their classroom model has been following the “flipped classroom” model even before that term became popular.

This shifting transformation takes shape as:

  • Professor led discussion
  • Forum-based peer to peer interaction or team projects around case studies
  • Democratized learning environment where every learner gets an equal opportunity to participate in discussions and contribute to learning in the virtual classroom

This is made possible because these learning activities happen asynchronously within a longer window of one to two weeks. Contrast this with a physical classroom where within 60 minutes all 60 students in the class would never get an opportunity to contribute to the synchronous discussions. Having said that, synchronous interactive virtual sessions are also something the University engages in to offer the best of both worlds to the learners.

Thus, learners are able to perfect higher order skills such as application, analysis, evaluation and creation as opposed to the traditional lower order skills such as understanding or remembering.

Global Faculty:

Manipal GlobalNxt University is distinguished to be counted among the very few Universities in the world that have only PhD qualified faculty in their fold. Add to that the global diversity that technology makes so conveniently possible. The faculty need not be in Malaysia alone.

They can be wherever they want to be and still teach and supervise the learners remotely across time zones as effectively. Managing a team of global faculty requires the University to get a number of things right.

Benefits of a Global Faculty

  • Students benefit by getting exposed to different styles, content and context with every faculty that they come across.
  • The professorscome across many kinds of students and varying expectations.
  • Consistent learning experience for all stakeholders.
  • Detailed assessment rubric for each learning activity to help the global faculty in assessing objectively.
  • Central repository of the expertise and interest of each faculty to maximize the possibilities of collaboration (research, case studies, peer review of scholarly articles and so on).

Therefore, the attraction, self-development and employability of the individual seeking to stay ahead by embracing the digital disruption and harnessing its advanced technologies to thrive in these shifting times is much more desirable and efficient in the long run. By 2030, the skills needed in the workforce will be radically different from those valued today. Such a transformation must be met with appropriate training and learning strategies.

Making the Shift – 2020 and Beyond

As we’re gearing for the coming of new year and taking stock of this year, some of us may have thought about taking a personal leap into self-enrichment or growth. Be it for a career upskilling, reskilling or just making transition for the coveted management corner office.

Where do we see eLearning heading for the rest of the year? Here are the trends so far:

1) Microlearning

Managing time and engagement. More and more learners are taking up flexible learning and unable to commit full long chunks of weekend dedicated just for learning alone.

The Research Institute of America found that eLearning increases retention rates 25% to 60% while retention rates of face-to-face training are very low in comparison: 8% to 10%. This is because with eLearning students have more control over the learning process as well as the opportunity to revisit the training as needed.

Although the modules are smaller, they are all object driven, for higher impact. These small modules allow learning to be implemented on different devices and are easy to repeat as well as update if needed. Modules can also be made more interactive and immersive through videos, games, quizzes, infographics, and realistic scenarios to keep learners on their toes.

2) Artificial Intelligence

AI uses its (machine) brain to analyse behaviour from the learner, from previous modules, and their strengths and weaknesses from each one. Using this data, AI can personalise learning by recommending certain modules for the learner. AI tries to offer modules that will fill gaps in the learners’ knowledge.

To make the eLearning process even easier, chatbots can be programmed to  undertake any admin work, including the onboarding of learners. With chatbots being accessible 24/7, they can be on hand to answer learner queries when needed.

3) Gamification

Gamification continues to rise since 2018. It has been proven to improve engagement and retention levels, however it is also now proving to improve sales and business performance.

Pros’ for Gamification:

  • Takes learners on a journey of learning for rewards.
  • Boost motivation levels, but it improves the learner experience, an approach aiming for behavioural change.
  • Personalised feedback, based on insights into learners’ progress and highlight knowledge gaps and strengths

Data from these insights is an easy way for learning managers to determine content for future learning strategies. Today’s companies can more easily boost impact and obtain a better-engaged workplace by using eLearning technology. According to Molly Fletcher Company, organizations can achieve an 18% boost in employee engagement.

4) Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning or personalised learning has proven to be more effective. Technology is used to leverage user experience and competence by pre-learning tests, algorithms determine which level and pace learners should be at.

What does Adaptive Learning do?

No one size fits all approach. The adaptive learning approach considers what learners already know and don’t know.

Learners would not have to through content they are good at, however the technology allows learners to be more engaged as they go through learning that is just beyond their comfort zone.

5) Video Content

Every day, one billion hours of video are watched on YouTube. This blended use of different learning faculties for E-Learning quite popular. Unlike static eLearning content, video makes learning more engaging. Not only is it more visually pleasing, but it can be made interactive, making the learner an active participant.

6) Mobile Learning

Accessibility at the tip of your fingertips. Whether that be seeing a doctor, working or playing. Mobile learning gives learners the freedom of learning where they want, and on their own personal device. Audiobook, podcasts and even live-streaming is not confined from just the laptop, tablet or desktop anymore.

With Mobility and new platforms, mobile learning keeps both the learner and professor connected. This allows educators to track performance and to ensure they are on hand for any queries.

The Manipal GlobalNxt University has been one of the pioneers to adapt and meet the changing requirement of today’s learning. We’ve brought the best of disruption technology right at your fingertips.

Get to know our programmes and E-Learning strategies.

Contact  our team – (details)

Further Resources:

https://brayleinolearning.co.uk/media/25060/statistics-of-elearning.png
https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2017/04/28/clay-christensen-sticks-predictions-massive-college-closures

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