By 2025, the eLearning market is set to be worth a huge $325 billion, compared with $165 billion in 2015 (Forbes). It’s the fastest-growing market in the education sector, having grown by 900% since 2000 (KPMG).
These are some big numbers, only set to get bigger with the increasing adoption of online learning technology across higher education, public sector, and private sector organisations.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the global shift in online education, before considering the action organisations and academic institutions can take to make sure they remain ahead of the curve.
What’s causing the global growth in online learning?
As with any global trend, there are multiple factors driving the growth in online learning. We’ll explore a few below.
Aftermath of the pandemic
When the pandemic struck, organsations across the board were forced to do things differently to stay afloat. Whether that meant moving everyone out of the office, switching to remote meetings, or rethinking the way people could access training and educational materials, the online space became a vital part of everyday life.
Virtual learning was adopted out of necessity, as traditional, in-person teaching and training came to a halt. At the time, this led a lot of educational institutions to embrace digital learning in order to continue delivering their programmes. Moving everything online became a top priority, where previously online education had been a second thought for most.
Four years on from the pandemic, online education (eLearning) has proved its value not only in terms of continuing education and development in times of crisis, but also in unlocking new opportunities for improving the learning experience.
Adaptable and constantly evolving, eLearning offers the potential for educators to better support their learners in line with various access needs, learning styles, and lifestyles.
Cost of living & learning
A common and continuing drawback of traditional teaching in higher education has been its inflexibility to accommodate the various lifestyles of its students. Now more than ever, students are less likely to be able to dedicate 100% of their time and effort to their studies.
According to an article in The Guardian, published in June 2024, the cost of living crisis has had a huge impact on the proportion of students mixing paid employment and full-time study:
“Before 2021, roughly two-thirds of students had no paid employment in term time. But this year [2024], 56% of students said they had paid employment and were working longer hours than students in previous years.”
Sticking with a traditional, in-person approach to education poses a definite risk of alienating and excluding the majority of students who are having to work alongside their studies.
eLearning has opened the door to more accessible learning opportunities, whereby students can access course materials and study at a time and pace that suits them, supporting better work/life balance.
Not only this, but online learning also has much lower tuition fees than traditional on-campus programmes, making it a more affordable educational pathway. Additionally, online learners can save on other course expenses, such as commuting to campus, accommodation fees, and pricey textbooks.
Developing technology
Advancements made in eLearning technology are another driving force behind its global uptake.
With interactive course elements, personalised learning journeys, and online learning environments that are purposefully designed to aid collaboration between peers, eLearning is no longer the boring little brother lagging behind face-to-face, classroom-based teaching.
Dynamic and varied learning needs
As online learning continues to develop, students no longer need to struggle through a one-size-fits-all approach to education.
Every student learns differently; at a different pace, finding value in different types of content, and working with different levels of understanding. Whereas traditional teaching methods may attempt to accommodate various learning styles, there have always been limitations to just how much the learning journey can be tweaked and suited to individual needs.
In the online realm, anything is possible! When it comes to personalising the learning journey, the only real limit is the learning designer’s imagination. Individual learning pathways can be carved based on existing knowledge and the learner’s own interests and motivations. Certain content can be hidden, other aspects made compulsory, and the mix of multimedia elements offers something for everyone.
Where is online education headed?
Between 2022 and 2032, the global eLearning market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14%. So if you’re not invested in your organisation’s eLearning strategy, now’s the time to get invested!
This continued growth of the online education market has multiple driving factors — some of which have been included in the list above. And it’s all made possible by the technological advancements that continue to be made.
The table below shows how demand for different eLearning technologies and approaches continues to change based on evolving learner needs and technological developments.
(The table below has been adapted from https://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/global-e-learning-trends/)
| Technology / approach | Increase in search demand (3 months to end 2023) year over year |
| AI in training | 326% |
| VR in training | 100% |
| Microlearning | 80% |
| eLearning gamification | 62% |
| Skill-based learning | 56% |
| AR in training | 26% |
| Immersive learning | 17% |
| Adaptive learning | 13% |
| Blended learning | 7% |
| Mobile learning | 0% (unchanged) |
What online learning trends should we look out for?
The eLearning market continues to evolve, and with it, new trends continue to emerge.
Here are just a few of the trends that have cropped up in recent years, that we expect to see shaping the industry moving forward.
Mobile learning (mLearning)
With the use of smartphones and tablets now widespread, learners are equipped with the power to access educational content from anywhere. The upward trend of mLearning has led learning designers to optimise their courses for multiple devices, so once again, different learning needs are being met.
Microlearning
The rise of social media has led everyone to become more comfortable with bitesize content. With our attention pulled in so many different directions, a new generation of learners is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain concentration for long periods of time.
Microlearning seeks to combat this. Delivering educational content in small chunks that are easy to digest, microlearning is designed for those who want to pursue their learning alongside maintaining a busy schedule.
Microlearning has proven especially effective for training in fast-paced industries, where employees need to acquire new skills and knowledge quickly in order to succeed.
Gamification
Gamification involves integrating elements of gaming into learning experiences — things like points, reward systems, badges, leaderboards, and forking narrative pathways. This helps learning designers to create fun, motivating, and interactive learning experiences.
You can learn more about the games-based approach to learning design in our blog.
Social learning
Social media has become a part of everyday life, with platforms enabling people to connect with friends and colleagues, interact with like-minded people in their online communities, and uncover potential opportunities for collaboration and professional development. It’s also widely used to access news stories, entertainment, and educational resources.
With this in mind, learning designers are also taking to social media, leveraging its collaboration tools to create social learning experiences that promote active learning and create a sense of community.
Video-based learning
Video has quickly become one of the highest-performing content mediums across social media, and learning designers are now tapping into this. Videos and animations can elevate an eLearning module by delivering information in a way that’s visually engaging. Video is also great for making complex concepts more accessible.
Now’s the time to invest in your eLearning.
eLearning is a growing trend that’s here to stay. Learn how to leverage eLearning tools to delight your learners, and make sure your organisation doesn’t get left behind.
Find out more about what it’s like to work with a leading eLearning provider.
Resources
What Is the Future of Online Learning in Higher Education? Agile Education Marketing, 2024.
https://agile-ed.com/resources/what-is-the-future-of-online-learning-in-higher-education/
Corporate Digital Learning: How to Get It “Right”. KPMG (accessed 16th October 2024).
https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/pdf/2015/09/corporate-digital-learning-2015-KPMG.pdf
Global e-Learning Trends 2024: Market Growth Statistics, Top Companies. E-learning centre (accessed 16th October 2024).
https://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/global-e-learning-trends/
Thrive In 2025: Your Geopolitical Crystal Ball For Staying Adaptive, Diversifying Risks And Building Resilience In The Coming Year. Lisa Broderick for Forbes Business Council, 15th October 2024.
More than half of UK students working long hours in paid jobs. Richard Adams for The Guardian, 13th June 2024.
Online learning as a response to global shifts in higher education. Nicola McCullough and Joel Roberts for HEPI Blog, 2nd February 2024.
