Your brain stores information, and you analyze it when required. Smartphones also store data for you and help you do many things. That's why a Harvard anthropologist referred to smartphones as our second brain, as they can help you learn, store, and analyze information effectively. Mobile learning has been there for two decades but has become popular in the last few years with the growing number of global smartphone users. Mobile learning is all about learning online by using mobile devices. It has certainly changed the face of corporate training with its ability to provide access to education to everyone who has a mobile device. And that too, anytime, anywhere. Most likely, the mobile learning market will reach above $73 billion by 2025, as claimed by Statista. 

Mobile Learning Trends for Corporate Training methods have evolved a lot in recent years, especially with the emergence of mobile learning.  It enables employees to learn the concept repeatedly to grasp it clearly and, more importantly, at their own pace. Let us look at some mobile learning trends that are helpful in delivering your corporate training: 

Mobile Learning Trends for Corporate Training: Transforming Workplace Learning 

Increased adoption of mobile devices:

Mobile phones are certainly ruling the world today. People are using phones for almost everything and spending time on the phone at work as well. Statista claims that an average adult spends about 4 to 5 hours per day on their mobile phone. And this trend will continue to increase. Organizations that adapt to this situation wisely will stay ahead. 

Example:  

Merrill Lynch, the biggest securities firm in the world, implemented mobile learning to boost the speed of their compliance training. The results they saw were amazing: employees spent over 40%-75% less time in training, completion rates were 12% higher, and the best thing is that it shows no loss of comprehension. 

Microlearning Modules: 

With the decreasing attention span of learners, shorter digital learning content is highly in demand. The modern workforce doesn’t want long lectures and wants to take e-Learning courses on their mobile devices. Microlearning is a method that allows you to deliver content to learners in bite-size bursts of about 4-5 minutes when required. And offers on-the-go effective Mobile learning solution on any device. This approach has a focused learning outcome that keeps learners in control while learning and helps them complete their training according to their convenience. It also helps learners counter the forgetting curve by breaking information into small nuggets, which allows them to revisit training often, enhancing knowledge retention. 

Example: 

Walmart used microlearning very effectively to minimize safety incidents. They reportedly attained a 15% rise in employee knowledge about safety topics and an above 50% decrease in recordable safety accidents, with a remarkable 91% rate of voluntary participation. 

Gamification and interactive content:

Interactive content plays a big part in engaging and involving your audience, as it offers them a more enticing and customized experience. It triggers participants to actively participate in the content. Interactive elements can upgrade the learning process by making it more fun and memorable. Gamification is the pinnacle of interactive content and it's very engaging. Mobile learning is an effective and convenient learning method well-liked by the new-age workforce. The combination of these two pushes the learners to complete their training according to their own convenience. 

Example: 

The Duolingo language learning app is prominent and well-liked by many for learning languages. It has used gamification effectively to design an engaging and potent user experience for its learners. Its learners are always driven and stay committed to language learning goals because it has integrated elements like streaks, levels, and rewards. 

Personalized learning through AI:

Personalized learning empowered by AI is a strategy that focuses mainly on students and tackles the issue of disengagement from training. AI personalized learning enhances learning outcomes by personalizing learning experiences according to every learner’s requirement, preferences, and pace by providing them with adaptive material and analytical tools.

Example: 

Knewton, an adaptive learning platform, makes good use of AI algorithms to evaluate learners’ performance simultaneously. It then fine-tunes the difficulty and content of following texts according to every individual’s learning capability.

Cloud-based learning platforms:

There are several e-learning software products, and cloud-based learning platforms are among them. The learning experience that takes place in a digital cloud is called cloud-based e-learning. It's highly convenient because you don't need to install any software on your computer or meet in person. The only requirement is an internet connection. 

The best part is that cloud-based e-learning isn't just essential for learners. You can also start a cloud-based e-learning program to train your employees by creating your learning content online through a cloud-based authoring tool. You can use a cloud-based learning management system (LMS) to store your work or create content using an authoring tool—depending on the software you use.

No matter what combination of tools you have, cloud-based learning makes content accessible, regardless of the device or location. There are many advantages to cloud-based e-learning, like convenience for remote learning, accessibility across devices, an interactive learning experience, constant data backup, and automatic software updates. 

Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual reality (VR):   

Augmented Reality: Augmented reality makes good use of several devices, like mobile phones and other technologies to provide learners with real-world experience. This way, it creates more captivating instructional materials and educational models. When you provide training to your learners with a real, full-sensory experience, the chances are higher that they will remember what your training covers.  

Virtual Reality: By creating an entire digital world, VR allows its users to explore and interact with things the same way they do in real-world conditions. This intense level of engagement helps learners stay motivated throughout the training. VR generally requires an extra multimedia aid like a headset, and this is very effective in the corporate training world. 

Example: Virtual reality training and industrial AR include enticing simulations for technical staff in the manufacturing field who are learning tasks like maintaining machines, assembling products, or equipment operation. A virtual environment allows employees to practice their tasks many times without the need for real equipment. Resulting in fewer production errors and accidents in real-world settings. 

Social learning and collaboration:

Earlier, e-learning failed to provide learners with the opportunity to collaborate and interact with others, as real-life classes do. But today’s online learner no longer miss out on these social aspects of learning, thanks to the latest mobile app technologies. These technologies allow learners to participate in real-time discussions forums, allowing them to connect with peers and experts and learn from one another.

Video-based learning:

Video-based learning has now become a worldwide phenomenon. Today, more than 90% of internet users watch videos online every week. The most popular videos among members of Gen Z are educational videos, explanatory videos, and tutorials. In corporate training, video-based learning is an approach that uses videos as the main teaching tool. It creates a vigorous and engaging learning environment by combining visual and auditory elements, facilitating the retention of information. Learners get access to plenty of educational resources through videos like simulations in lectures and hands-on demonstrations, allowing them to learn unrushed and, most importantly, anywhere or anytime. 

Example:

Many companies make good use of animated videos featuring infographics and text. This popular video format increases learner engagement by blending animated visuals and text. This adaptable approach is very effective for creating different learning experiences for learners. 

Offline learning capabilities:

Importance of Offline Learning: Learners in remote areas sometimes have difficulty gaining access to course content due to the limited network connectivity. In this situation, offline eLearning proves to be a valuable solution. This offline learning feature is well liked by learners who struggle to get an internet connection while traveling or those without a connection at home. An LMS with offline learning capabilities is like a blessing for those who struggle with continuous internet connectivity. It's also beneficial for faculty members who are not tech-savvy and live in rural areas. 

Mobile learning apps and offline functionality: In today’s world, the ability to learn on-the-go has become crucial for professionals. Mobile learning apps are certainly helping the cause by offering plenty of courses across different fields. Some of them have this unique offline functionality, which allows learners to download course materials and have access to them although an internet connection is not available. Mobile learning apps with offline access are helpful for people in remote locations. Learners can watch pre-downloaded video lectures and complete interactive exercises to continue their learning journey uninterrupted, no matter where they are. 

Mobile-friendly learning management system:

Most modern learners like to pick up where they left off, no matter what device they use. A mobile-friendly LMS allows your learners to begin one piece of eLearning on one device and carry it on another. This feature fosters the flexibility that mobile learning strives to attain. 

This functionality makes execution and uptake much simpler and more extensive. Responsive design is a factor that must be considered while creating a mobile-friendly LMS, as it makes certain that it adjusts according to the screen size of the user’s device. No matter what device the learner uses, this makes for an exceptional user experience. 

Advantages of mobile-friendly LMS: LMS can enhance knowledge retention, employee engagement, and workforce energy by providing a centralized platform for upskilling initiatives and compliance training. Many businesses have successfully adopted LMS for employee training. 

Ray Kurzweil, an American author, has rightly said that mobile phones are not named properly; they should be called gateways to human knowledge. Every year, the demand for mobile education is growing, and it will increase at a rate above 33.4% by 2028, according to experts. When you use mobile learning for corporate training it will help you in many ways. Let's look at some advantages of mobile learning. 

Benefits of mobile learning in corporate training:

Accessibility and Flexibility: Mobile learning provides valuable accessibility to individuals with busy schedules. By just having a mobile device and an internet connection, learners can get access to educational content anywhere and anytime. As they access courses 24/7, they can decide when and where they want to learn, and that too at their own pace. Mobile learning supports work-life balance by enabling on-the-go learning. 

Enhanced engagement and retention: Mobile learning is designed to engage users. It supports visual learning in the form of images and creates a fast-paced and lively learning environment. With mobile learning content, users report an above-70% increase in engagement. This is mainly because mobile learning usually includes interactive content like gamification and videos that too are in bite-sized chunks. It has been proven that short-form content can enhance knowledge retention by 20%. Thus, better ROI is possible with a more informed workforce. 

Cost effectiveness: Mobile learning can save an organization a lot of money. It doesn’t need instructors, physical classrooms, or materials. It is more cost-effective in contrast to traditional learning. Furthermore, the cost of mobile devices is declining continuously, which makes mobile learning gradually a more reasonable option. 

Improved collaboration: Mobile learning allows learners to interact and collaborate through chat rooms, forums, and various communication tools. This not only enhances peer learning but also encourages real-time feedback.  

On-demand learning: On-demand learning, or just-in-time learning, is very effective and provides learners with exact knowledge when they need it the most. Like during a project or task. And when they get this timely support, it improves their efficiency. 

Contemporary content: It’s possible for online course creators to regularly update the courses as mobile learning courses live online. This way, they can always keep courses relevant for students.  

Scalability: Work locations have seriously changed in recent years. Therefore, now there is more focus on providing easy access to resources. Mobile learning helps organizations successfully disseminate training materials to employees, no matter where they are. This scalability makes certain that training reaches across the workforce invariably. 

The Future of Mobile Learning:  

It's beyond doubt that mobile phones have become a part of our identity. In present times, on average, a person picks up their phone more than 55 times a day. You can easily say that if people are not asleep, then they are connected. As such, it's no wonder that mobile learning has cemented its place in the educational world and is well-liked by many modern learners. Interestingly, more than 45% of learners even use mobile learning before going to bed. It is expected that VR and AR use will increase greatly in the future. And this is what engages the modern learners who have grown up with the evolution of these features. This kind of development fosters profound training engagement and builds a new environment for learning. Engaged employees do exceptionally well and are 17% more productive, leading to the overall growth of your organization.

Summing up: 

Mobile learning is playing a crucial role in professional development and will continue to do so as mobile technology is growing consistently. Organizations must make good use of it. With benefits like flexibility and enhanced accessibility, it is the most effective extension of e-learning, which can upgrade your organization's training and provide better results. If you're looking to create mobile-friendly eLearning content, Kyteway offers expert insights and strategies to ensure your content engages and performs effectively on any platform.