The “E-learning Markets in the US 2016-2020” report indicates that by 2020, the e-learning market in the US will grow by 15.64%.
What is e-learning?
Jhansi Mary J, lead analyst at Technavio, describes it as “the introduction of education technology and online content into [school] curriculum.” Cloud-based solutions are a large part of the e-learning industry. Jhansi Mary J explains the benefits of cloud-based solutions, stating that “[they] have restructured the aspects of education such as content creation, content delivery, and accessibility, making it more productive, convenient, and effective.”
What are these new e-learning technologies? How are they implemented?
New education technologies include 3-D printing, simulations, and Augmented Reality (AR). Both traditional and online schools are benefiting from the implementation of these technologies, as they are government funded.
“The U.S. government has implemented initiatives and granted funds to upgrade almost all the elements essential for successful implementation of e-learning,” said Jhansi. “Few of these initiatives include Digital Textbook Playbook, ConnectED program, Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).”
While government initiatives such as STEM programs and makerspaces are taking off, private institutions with bigger pools of money are ahead of the game: “already considering advanced technologies like adaptive learning and next-gen learning management system (LMS).”
What are some of the challenges that exist for the e-learning market?
One of the greatest difficulties that has come with the implementation of this curriculum is changing long rooted teaching pedagogies.
- What does faculty recruitment and training look like?
Online training instructors need training on “installing, managing, and utilizing educational hardware and software,” before guiding teachers, said Jhansi. Many schools have opted for third-party training, or development centers for in-house training.
- How can schools create digitally secure learning environments?
“Educational institutions require strong regulations and monitoring systems to assure that a student’s data is directed only toward constructive purposes,” and that their information is kept private.
More questions will most definitely arise as the e-learning industry grows– stay tuned!
