An increased demand for fun, user-centered learning options: 2019 learning trends, reflect an increased appetite for novelty and control in the learning process, and some of the most popular include peer-to-peer learning, employee-curated content, and the appetite for diversity in learning platforms ― from mobile phones to MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) to using virtual and augmented reality technology. Gamification, which comes so naturally to younger generations entering the workforce and can be used as an easy incentive to maintain motivation, is a trend that employers are strongly encouraged to leverage.

Social learning is growing in popularity and efficacy: From one-to-one online collaboration and video conferencing to oh-so-convenient and ecological virtual conferences, learning that allows for interaction with others clearly has a huge appeal.

The desire for deeper engagement with course material is another industry trend that’s been noted, with the rise of the “flipped classroom,” where core content is presented and reviewed outside of the learning space, so that in-person time is used for more extensive discussions about its meaning and applicability.

And could the primacy of the degree be wavering? Standards-based certificate programs are growing in popularity, and badges, such as those used in Mozilla’s Open Badges project, are also becoming an increasingly recognized endorsement. Open badges are “visual tokens of achievement, affiliation, authorization, or other trust relationships sharable across the web,” the project says.