In today’s rapidly evolving business world, the importance of continuous learning and upskilling has never been greater. As such, e-learning has emerged as a popular and effective medium for acquiring new knowledge and skills.
According to Oxford Learning College, 42% of businesses that have invested in e-learning have reported an increase in income.
However, there is often a disconnect between the training offered by employers and the development needs of employees. The thing is, when they receive training that’s relevant to them, employees are 36% more likely to stay with the company for three years. So, how does one go about ensuring that corporate training aligns with what employees require?
Well, the first step would obviously be to actually listen to your people. The other way is by using artificial intelligence (AI).
In this blog post, we will explore how the power of AI is reshaping the e-learning landscape, bridging this gap and revolutionising the way we learn.
Using AI to Make e-Learning Better
A recent study reveals a mismatch between the training provided by UK employers and the preferences of their employees. Many employees express a desire for learning methods such as on-the-job training, coaching, financial training, and learning from peers. However, these methods are often not used.
That leads employees to seek self-teaching and learning as they go. It’s clear that there is a need for more effective and personalised training approaches.
This is where AI comes into play. This technology has the potential to make e-learning more engaging by offering tailored and efficient learning experiences. Through sophisticated algorithms, AI can analyse vast amounts of data and adapt the learning journey to each individual’s needs.
Personalisation of Content
Learning is something that everyone does differently. It’s not just about learning styles, but also about what people need to learn. In a diverse workplace, employees with different backgrounds can’t all learn and understand the same learning material.
And, based on their roles, they may need to learn the same subject differently. A machine operator and an engineer both need to learn about the machine. However, one may need to know how to operate it and the other might need to know how to fix it.
With AI, you can tailor the content, so each person can access study material that’s relevant to their role and requirements. You can even personalise it so that if someone’s finding a concept hard to grasp, they can be directed to more detailed lessons.
Adaptive Learning Paths
As I said earlier, a workplace might have people who need the same knowledge but are consuming it differently. So, if you give them all the same lesson, you’ll have some who get bored and others who struggle to keep up.
However, you could assess their knowledge in the first couple of lessons. Using that information, you could branch them out to study material that’s more in line with their understanding. That way, you’d have more engaged learners.
Such adaptive learning paths are quite easy to create with AI.
Improved Content Generation and Curation
With AI, you can take the pain out of content creation. It can help with curriculum development, assisting you in writing lessons and keeping them updated. AI algorithms can sift through gigabytes of data in a matter of seconds. They can find the information and put it together equally quickly.
This makes it much easier for you to design your lessons. It also makes it that much easier for you to quickly develop a training module for a new system or process in your organisation. Using AI along with e-learning authoring tools like Elucidat, you can create custom upskilling materials for your employees in no time.
Intelligent Tutoring Systems
In a non-adaptive teaching format—a training manual, for example—the information is rather “fixed”. If someone doesn’t understand something, they can either search for it in a book or ask someone who knows more about it.
With AI learning platforms, the student can ask any clarifying question as soon as they think of it. And, they can get an answer immediately as well.
These smart teachers can also give real-time feedback, helping employees keep track of their progress better.
Natural Language Processing
In the past, communicating with computers was considered difficult. You needed to know specialised computer languages, which not everyone could master. Graphical user interfaces made it somewhat easier, but natural language processing (NLP) has simplified it to a great extent.
NLP allows a computer to “talk” to us in conversational language. It’s what makes ChatGPT so effective because you can message it like you would a friend, and it replies like a person. This is what makes AI so effective in e-learning—it’s possible to have a student-teacher interaction with what’s effectively an encyclopaedia.
Predictive Analytics
As the name suggests, predictive analytics is the ability to look at results and predict future trends. This property makes AI-enabled e-learning quite valuable. It allows students to keep track of their progress. It helps with future lesson planning by providing a detailed analysis of employees’ performance and study pace.
Integration of VR and AR
By integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into your study material, you can make lessons come to life. These technologies help your employees get an immersive experience, making their learning experience richer and more engaging.
Gamification
Self-learning isn’t always fun. It can require motivating oneself, which might not be possible for everyone, or all the time. What can make learning fun is making it a game. Gamification allows you to turn your e-learning lessons into small, friendly competitions between employees. That motivates them to keep learning and makes the information stick better.
Teaching Aide
Contrary to popular belief, AI is not here to replace human teachers but to support them. Certain tasks, such as grading tests and answering frequently asked questions, can be time-consuming. By automating them with chatbots, AI frees up teachers’ time. That allows them to focus on individual learners who require more attention.
The Future of AI in E-Learning
Looking ahead, the future of e-learning fuelled by AI holds immense potential. With continued advancements, AI will continue to refine its ability to analyse learner behaviour, enabling even more personalised learning experiences. The cost benefits of e-learning will become more apparent, as AI automates content creation and delivery. That, in turn, will make education more accessible and affordable.
Moreover, businesses can harness the power of AI in e-learning to expand their talent pool. They can streamline employee onboarding, and foster a culture of continuous learning. The flexibility offered by e-learning, combined with AI’s capabilities, allows employees to upskill and grow. That ultimately benefits both individuals and organisations.
Parul Mathur has been writing since 2009. That’s when she discovered her love for SEO and how it works. She developed an interest in learning HTML and CSS a couple of years later, and React in 2020. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading, walking her dog, messing up her garden, or doodling.
