Retrospective of 2022 LMS Trends

As we approach the end of the year, it is always beneficial to reflect on the LMS trends and breakthroughs that have died or will continue moving in full force. Also, we’ll look at some learning news or new technologies that could maximize your impact for 2023.

LMS Trends

In general, the trends for learning management systems (LMS) have not changed to drastically from those in the previous year. Mostly, they have begun to solidify into cornerstones of any LMS and should be expected to be adopted within 2023 at the latest.

Mobility

As more and more web traffic is driven from mobile devices, about 59.5% of web traffic was from mobile devices in November 2022, consequently, more training is being delivered on mobile devices as well. This spike in mobile traffic is most likely due to how affordable and flexible phones are compared to desktops or laptops. Your LMS should be accessible on mobile phones, especially if you do not have a physical space for people to train.

This trend is going to increase into the foreseeable future given the convenience of phones, so prepare for an even greater influx of mobile users. The omnipresent nature of phones contributes to another trend: microlearning.

Microlearning

Microlearning has been discussed before 2022 but it really caught traction this year. Referring to the method of learning where learners engage with content in bite-sized chunks, microlearning seems to be correlated with people constantly being getting information. Phones enable learning to happen anywhere, including in free time no matter how small.

This trend does have staying power, as it does have some scientific backing with how our brain works. Namely, psychologists have determined that while our long-term memory is unlimited, our short-term memory can hold relatively few pieces of information (5 +/- 2 chunks). The downfall for microlearning will also be what drives it: short-term memory.

Will the ideal of squeezing learning in-between daily tasks may feel more effective, there is always the possibility that the next activity a couple of minutes later will push out whatever the learner had just attempted to learn. Overall, microlearning may have some merit in the future, but you shouldn’t bail on traditional methods for it.

Individualized Learning

Not much has to be said about this one, individualized learning refers to the method of using tools like learning paths to give learners options more directly interesting to them. Individualized learning, while it can be, does not have to be hand-crafted for every learner, rather just allowing multiple paths to a goal is often enough to let learners thrive.

Individualized learning should continue into 2023, especially whenever considering the need for upskilling.

Upskilling

This has been a topic that has been more prevalent as Generation Z enters the workforce and refers to employers training employees for newer or different positions, rather than just replacing them. Generation Z is a particularity volatile workforce, spurred by a disillusionment with employers and many of the them are already planning on leaving their jobs soon.

Given all of this, if employers want to produce a more loyal workforce than they should invest in upskilling with their LMS. This trend does not seem to be slowing down for Generation Z and it shouldn’t for employers, upskilling is more efficient than cycling through workers.

Video

Video has been reigning king over almost all the internet and for good reason—video is an easy, engaging way to deliver information. The spread of video has reached LMS, with most courses involving videos. This trend falls into the same reasoning as mobility and microlearning, that is, it’s easier to be engaged with fast-paced, flashy content than something like text.

This trend is going nowhere, as it is apart of a wave that is much bigger than any LMS. The primary and most lucrative of delivering content on the internet is now video.

The Learning and Technology Trends of 2022

Let’s look more broadly at the learning and technology trends that either started or continued this year while seeing where they are going.

Online Learning

Online learning had to be on this list, despite it really getting its massive sweep in 2020. While schools and businesses have returned relatively back to normal, online learning still has influence over many of these organizations. Some may have it being supplementary, hybrid, or as a back up plan, but regardless, online learning has become a fixture.

This trend is not going to fizzle out, it’s essentially another part of life now despite it being a last-ditch effort to keep old systems running. The LMS market is projected to continue to grow at least until 2029 as more organizations begin adopting online learning into their arsenal.

Remote Learning is Favorable

At the beginning of remote learning, most learners were against it with mainly negative opinions and views about it. Now, 70% of learners look favorably on online and remote learning, a complete 180 from the start. Not surprising given how abruptly—and the situation—which kicked off with a world-shaking event.

Remote learning will only continue to grow and not just because people are growing more accustomed to it. Rather, it is cheaper and easier for both learners and instructors to pursue remote learning, making it inevitable for the spread of remote learning.

Integrated AI

Artificial intelligence is working its way into all aspects of life and learning is no different. AI in learning is commonly seen as a tool to enhance personalized learning. Essentially, the AI will form models for each learner and can adapt their curriculum accordingly.

However, this method is still very new, and we should be dubious of its effectiveness or repercussions. The biggest problem with AI is that most of the people wielding it do not understand how it comes to its conclusions. This discrepancy has led to AI making the wrong decisions or even being as biased as its flesh counterparts.

Hastily attempting make AI a decision maker for people’s learning, while AI is still in its infancy, is like putting the cart before the horse. One day we may understand AI enough to perceive why it makes the decisions it does, but we don’t, and should therefore wait before implementing it into wide-scale learning programs.

We’re Only Human

This trend will hopefully become a staple of learning. “We’re only human” refers to the growing understanding of mental well-being and attempting to make for better experiences. For example, the world corporate and otherwise, has shown an increased interest in promoting positive mental health and enabling learners to thrive.

Recognizing the natural limits and needs of people most likely will not slow down (although some industries may just continue to ignore it), as people are more efficient whenever excess stress is taken off. Eventually, organizations striving to maximize efficiency will recognize this need.

What To Look Forward to in 2023

Many of these trends will most likely continue into 2023, regardless of how effective they might be (like AI integration). While some like “We’re only human” may lose steam but should continue indefinitely. It is up to the learning decision makers to steer 2023 (only a very minor task). Yet, if one follows the general rule of placing the learners experience as the highest metric, they cannot go wrong.

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