Frequently Asked Questions

10. What will the third and subsequent generations of e-learning look like?

No one has a crystal ball to see with clarity here, and, as with all technology developments, the future will almost certainly surprise us.

The NewMindsets view is that the future of e-learning will be driven by increasing demands for:

action based-learning
more synchronous online collaboration and problem-solving
improved knowledge sharing, and
highly customizable learning systems that can adapt to learner styles and preferences in the way material is both presented and absorbed

In particular, we believe that work and learning will become more and more integrated. We believe that e-learning will become a tool for 'just in time' competence development. We believe that e-learning will become an essential part of the capacity-creating infrastructure that organizations need to ensure an effective, agile, high-performing workforce, and the general innovation and adaptability required for success in a changing world.

In more specific terms, we envisage a future of multi-purpose learning systems that:

Provide situation-based, practical learning at the point of need
Support each learner uniquely through personalized learning paths
Deliver content in a way that focuses on real business/work-related issues
Integrate learning and on-the-job knowledge creation
Encourage and facilitate team learning and knowledge sharing e.g. through virtual team-rooms
Develop proficiency in a broad range of competencies and organizational skills
Unlock creativity and innovation
Support coaching, mentoring and blended learning initiatives
Provide opportunities for virtual-reality style simulations focused on complex skill development and context-specific problem solving

It is our view that the third generation of e-learning will build directly on the key elements of a second-generation 'learner in control' pedagogy. But it will take it much further by creating virtual reality simulation tools that incorporate more and more artificial intelligence and high bandwidth forms of collaboration and exchange.

Technology-wise, the crucial elements of many of these tools already exist today. But in terms of detailed design and execution they tend to be locked into 'first-generation' e-learning pedagogy that keeps expert instructors, rather than inquiring learners, in control. With appropriate pedagogical innovation we can expect to see rapid movement toward a third generation level of e-learning performance. Many of the required technologies are already in place.

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