Abstract:

The area of online learning is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and widespread demand; however, educational entities (pre-primary through postsecondary) are struggling with scarce resources, higher expectations and standards for learning. This session will focus on the trends that will drive this field over the next five years. These trends include adaptive learning environments, on-demand learning, data visualizations, and learning analytics.The presenters will match the current trends and their respective challenges, to resources, proven strategies and evidence-based practices toward identifying future trends that will ultimately provide educational sectors a springboard from which to plan and strategize. The audience will also have the opportunity to respond to these trends from global perspectives, thus encouraging attendees to examine their own institution's online learning trends. This participatory dialogue will enable a path by which all realms of education around the world can begin to envision and plan for.

Adaptive Learnng Environments
This unique environment's main appeal is the personalized learning it provides. Ongoing courses can be modified in real-time according to culled learning analytics, which in turn, provides learning according to a variety of student data--which may include, learning styles, multimedia preferences, cognitive knowledge levels, amount of time spent on a page, responses to quizzes, tests, activities, etc. As ALEs continue to become more and more intuitive to a learner's needs via learner analytics, will undoubtedly benefit all levels of education.

On-Demand Learning
While many current learning platforms involve varying degrees of instructor guidance and support as well as tools to support social presence, one platform for instructional delivery does not include either teaching or social presence. On-demand platforms may include webinars or eLearning courses that have been developed and/or delivered using course authoring tools such as Adobe Captivate, Adobe Connect, Articulate, and Lectora. While some forms of on-demand may include synchronous instruction with a live instructor and synchronous communication tools, some forms of on-demand are non-facilitated, nor are there tools to communicate with other learners.

Data Visualization
Data visualizations, in recent years, have become an innovative technology to present data. New forms of data visualization tools present real-time data, interactive data, a look at data over time, etc. whereby patterns and connections can be identified. More importantly, as data becomes more available to the public, researchers will be able to mix and match datasets, thus prompting beautiful and informative visuals that have the potential to affect national and international programs and policies.

Learning Analytics
Learning analytics refers to the interpretation of a wide range of data that can be used to assess academic progress, predict future performance, and spot potential issues. Currently, learning management systems have been able to cull data from assignments, tests, discussion board forums, etc; however, a new breed of learning management systems harvest data that are more representative of student learning. The goal of learning analytics is to personalize educational opportunities according to needs and abilities.

Keywords:

On-line learning, trends, eStructuring, adaptive learning environments, on-demand learning, data visualization, learning analytics.