Digitalization is rapidly changing our everyday lives. Both in our private lives and in professional disciplines. Some areas are more affected by these developments, others less. The education sector in particular has been strongly influenced by changes in recent years. Innovative technologies such as digital learning platforms for the Dragon Slots, learning apps and online quiz formats have emerged. And have now also become established in many companies. These innovations offer new opportunities. It forms of learning that are constantly being developed further. But how did it all begin and what are the trends for the future?
The era of computer-based learning
The beginnings of technology-supported learning lie in computer-based training (CBT). This form of education and training has been around since the 1980s. The system initially functioned independently of the Internet. And the content could be accessed via mobile data carriers such as CD-ROMs. The advantage of multimedia learning is that knowledge can be better consolidated through interaction on the PC. Furthermore, computer-based training not only promotes learning success. But also allows learners to learn at their own pace. It offers the opportunity to repeat the material as often as necessary. Until what has been learned is internalized.
Technology-supported learning has also offered the company itself advantages from the outset. Self-directed learning by employees saves costs and resources compared to organizing seminars or personal knowledge transfer.
Learning goes digital
The next technological development was web-based training (WBT) around 2010, where the learning content was no longer accessed via a mobile data carrier, but in a virtual classroom – online via the internet. With web-based training, learning can be synchronous or asynchronous. This means that the content can be worked on together in a large group at the same time or learned individually.
Mobile learning via smartphone
With the new era of smartphones (the first smartphone was presented in 2007) and the further development of web-based platforms, the next major advance in the area of new forms of learning took place: Learning became mobile via dedicated applications (apps), making it even more location- and time-independent.
Today, mobile learning content can be accessed via an app on a smartphone or tablet. This also works on the go and in between when you only have a short time to learn and consume content in the form of learning bites or microlearning.
The online mass courses: MOOC’s
A relatively new phenomenon in the learning landscape is the development of “Massive Open Online Courses”, or MOOCs for short – which translates as “huge open online course”. This learning format can be started at any time and is often offered free of charge by various learning platforms in order to provide a large number of people with the same content for training and further education. This learning format is particularly popular with universities. The content ranges from stand-alone texts to videos, podcasts and live online seminars.
Learning games & simulations
Another relatively new learning format is game-based learning (GBL / serious gaming). Here, the learning content is supported by playful content and functions. The user learns voluntarily and informally through the gamification component. A good educational game is characterized by clear rules, a consistent storyline and the promotion of self-efficacy.
Simulations and business games are also learning formats in the form of specific software that can be used to simulate a work process or bring complex systems closer to the user. Examples include flight simulators and business simulation games.
Microlearning & Virtual Reality
With the development of mobile learning content. Microlearning has established itself as an effective and future-oriented learning method. With this form of didactics, large pieces of content are processed into learning snacks. They offer the learner a quick learning snack in between.
Ideally, microlearning involves repeating the respective learning content. Until the learner has mastered the material. Above all, mobile microlearning enables learners to learn at their own pace. It has been scientifically proven to be the most efficient learning method today.
In recent years, there has also been a lot of experimentation with augmented reality / virtual reality. This technology is still in the relatively early stages of establishing itself as a form of learning suitable for the masses. But the method is very promising as the technology appeals to several senses at the same time. According to science, forms of learning that achieve this are considered to be the most successful for sustainable learning success.
Technologies are changing rapidly as a result of digitalization. In order to keep up, companies must continuously develop their employees. And promote lifelong learning within the company. There are a variety of technologies available for this. And those who learn to use them correctly will have better chances in the future. Because those who learn, stay.
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