Blended learning and learning videos have been the undisputed top trends in further education for years. The trend study mmb Learning Delphi 2018/19 confirms this once again. We summarize what you need to know as a trainer – and explain why web-based training is the “dinosaur of further education.”

Last year, we reported on the results of the mmb trend monitor: Videos as a source of revenue for in-company training were clearly in focus. Below, we show you which top learning trends are truly holding up in this year's trend monitor and why pure web-based training will likely become extinct in the coming years.

What is the mmb trend study learning delphi?
Core topics of the study by the mmb Institute are trends in e-learning related to the next three years. Last year, a total of 65 experts from the DACH region participated in an online survey. The study regularly includes current topics; this year, for example, questions regarding the GDPR. You can download the complete study here.

Long-term trend: Yes to blended learning, no to WBT

The following graphic shows the top 3 learning formats for further education in companies for the next three years: The comparison to the previous study shows that blended learning, videos, and microlearning are quite stable at the top spots.

In the current study, the strongest decline in approval has been experienced by web-based trainings (WBTs): pure e-learning has dropped from 70% approval to only 55%. This development is not new: the downward trend has persisted for five consecutive years! In 2009, WBT with 90% approval was still at the top among learning formats.

This means: In the trend for the next three years, pure e-learning is clearly “out” – but in combination with presence learning, it remains stable in first place among learning trends!

Advantages of the TOP-3 learning trends

Blended learning combines face-to-face and online learning: In the face-to-face seminar, individual support from the trainer is provided. On an online platform, you enable good preparation and sustainable support of participants with short learning units.
Learn more about blended learning in practice here

Videos and explanatory films can, thanks to modern smartphones, be created without expensive equipment matching various content. This brings fun and variety to training and education – and conveys knowledge effectively.
Learn more about video shooting for online courses here

Microlearning imparts comprehensive knowledge in small learning units (“nibbles”). This keeps the motivation of participants up. At the same time, learning content is reduced to the essentials and conveyed as simply as possible.
Learn more about creating learning bites here

Would you like to start directly with the trend method No. 1?

In our guide for trainers, you will find simple 9 steps to create blended learning: From goal setting to content creation, call-to-actions, and methods. Improve your training now with the mix of online and face-to-face!

All learning formats of the TOP 3 are therefore characterized mainly by high flexibility, location-independent use, and simple, long-term transfer of content. But why have web-based trainings been the losers of the study for years?

Web-Based Trainings: Ineffective Due to Lack of Contact

Pure e-learning with WBTs does offer spatial flexibility since the content is made available online. However, this method has significant disadvantages compared to blended learning: The personal contact with the trainer is missing! This results in further problems:

The questions and problems of participants often cannot be clarified virtually.
The motivation of participants suffers from the lack of personal address.
The personal experiences of participants cannot be addressed in training.
The individual learning speed is usually not taken into account.

For these reasons, pure e-learnings will likely be used less frequently in professional training in the coming years. For trainers who want to offer effective and sustainable online training, switching to blended learning is recommended.

Are you a trainer, coach, or consultant and want to generate independent income with pure online courses? In this article, you will learn why this often does not work: “Money while you sleep?! Why pure online courses are not worth it.”

The study also examined the topics that will increasingly trend. Here, the issue of data protection is strongly in focus.

Data Protection Will Be the Most Important Learning Topic

With the introduction of the GDPR, not only new guidelines regarding data protection have been introduced – bound to this is the necessity to communicate these new regulations to all parties involved. In the area of e-learning, two important topics arise:

• Communication of data protection guidelines as a learning topic, especially for employees in companies.

• Consideration of the guidelines in the context of e-learning and blended learning offerings by further education providers.

Not only employees and participants need to deal with the subject of data protection, but also the providers and HR managers. In digital learning offerings, personal data is always collected and processed – this particularly leads to increasing uncertainties for companies.

We have already summarized the most important tips for companies:
Learn more about data protection and e-learning here.

According to the mmb trend study, almost 70% of further education experts expect that digital learning will become more complicated in the future – at the same time, however, a great business potential arises:

The GDPR will be an absolute focus topic in the coming years, with which every trainer or HR manager must (inevitably) deal intensively.

The Most Important Learnings for Professional Educators

Let’s summarize the most important findings from the mmb trend monitor – for trainers and coaches, as well as for HR managers in companies:

• Blended learning is not a flash in the pan! Particularly when combined with learning videos, blended learning will remain one of the most effective and sustainable learning methods in the coming years.

• Web-Based Training is a dinosaur! Outdated by better methods such as blended learning, pure e-learning no longer represents a good learning form in the long term.

• Data protection is necessary! With the subject of the GDPR, not only participants but in particular trainers and educational providers must inevitably deal.

By the way: Getting started with blended learning is actually not difficult. Download our blended learning guide for free and dive into the learning method of the future in 9 simple steps!