People sometimes think that elearning is more of a new phenomenon, made possible by the glitzy tech tools of today. The truth is though, elearning has been around for quite some time – some would argue that it existed with the first computer based training program around the 1960s.

True, this does not really resemble elearning as we know it today, but it marks the first time that computers were used for teaching purposes. The modern elearning shift happened around the year 2000 as businesses started to adopt it for training employees on compliance related topics and later shifting to more complex subjects.

Just a decade later, we started to see the rise of social and mobile learning, both of which driven by technological trends and present day applications. Today mobile learning is sharply on the rise as more people rely upon smartphones and tablets for entertainment and learning.

Convincing an organization that elearning is important is not as difficult as it once was in the past. In 2011, roughly $35.6 billion was spent on elearning globally. Today, that figure is around $55.2 billion, and this is only projected to double by the year 2015.

Overall, the growth of elearning is pretty staggering, but expected. From 2013 to 2017, the growth rate is projected to be around 23%, with over 40% of Fortune 500 companies leveraging elearning to training.

Picking just one reason why elearning is growing is impossible as there are actually many factors to its rise. Technology is always a driving influence, especially as people become more accustomed to mobile applications. In addition, studies have now shown that organizations with strong learning cultures significantly outperform their peers. Elearning is a competitive edge that can be tied to the bottom line – particularly in cost savings.

The elearning industry is only gaining momentum. For profit and non-profits alike are jumping on-board to tap into its benefits. If you have ever thought about implementing your own elearning program, it has never been easier or more cost effective.

Source:
MindTrickle