Online Learning

Report: Flipped and Mobile Helping to Drive Growing Momentum in E-Learning Content and Courses

• By Leila Meyer
• 11/28/16

The generic e-learning course market is projected to grow by 8 percent per year over the next four years, driven primarily by growth in general purpose learning applications, cost-effectiveness of generic e-learning courses and increased adoption of mobile learning, according to a new report from Technavio, a global technology research and advisory company.

The company defines generic e-learning courses as standard courses on a subject offered by service providers, educational institutions and experts, and prepared according to the standard curriculum. The report, "Generic E-learning Course Market in the U.S. 2016–2020," examines the current state of the generic e-learning course market in the United States and forecasts trends over the coming years. The report identifies City & Guilds Kineo, Macmillan Learning, Pearson Education and Skillsoft as the market leaders, although it also includes data from numerous other vendors.

According to the report, one of the main reasons for the growth in generic e-learning content and courses is the adoption of teaching and learning methods such as the flipped classroom, blended learning and virtual classrooms. "Generic e-learning courses have been incorporated across all these methods as [they provide] learning opportunities in any kind of learning methods," according to the company. "This enables faculty and corporates to incorporate various hybrid and unique learning and training methods."

Generic e-learning courses also help educational institutions save money, according to the report. They can use use these e-learning courses "to provide training on generic concepts" and to "save costs while developing customized course content.

The report identifies the proliferation of mobile devices on campus as the third factor helping to drive adoption of these courses. “The availability of gadgets such as e-book readers, tablets, and laptops, coupled with better and uninterrupted Internet connectivity, has led to a greater penetration of digital classrooms and e-learning products," said Jhansi Mary, a lead analyst at Technavio, in a prepared statement. Vendors are increasingly offering mobile-compliant features to take advantage of these devices and allow faculty and students to access course content from anywhere, at any time.

Further information about the report can be found on Technavio's site.