If you practice edtech in your organization, then you might already understand the crucial role of digital learning platforms in constant employee growth. Corporate training has a direct impact on your company’s productivity. It gives workers a better understanding of their responsibilities, expands specific knowledge, and improves skills required to perfectly perform tasks. Educational courses help build employees’ confidence in their abilities and motivate them to work more efficiently and effectively, resulting in better KPIs.
LMSs lie in the heart of every training program as they help to streamline the user experience for all the participants of the process, whether or not they are instructors or students. Modern LMSs revolutionize along with technology, so keeping an eye on future e-learning trends in 2024 is pivotal for educational institutions or business owners. So, if you are an Edtech enthusiast too, continue reading the article to keep up with the time.
LMS сosts differ depending on the project scope, required functionality, hosting, third-party integrations, system scalability, multilingual or localization support, and further expert maintenance. Pricing trends in learning management systems vary between $50 and $250 per hour. Typically, the IT team includes such participants as the project manager, business analyst, front-end and back-end developers, UI/UX designers, DevOps specialists, QA (quality assurance) testers, and other experts. They create administrative and customer (instructors and learners) sides of the system, make responsive, user-friendly interfaces, integrate databases, etc.
In total, companies may spend around $ 25,000 to $ 100,000 to build a robust LMS that meets the latest market trends. When the educational platform is verified and launched, owners may also need to pay for the ongoing maintenance. The service costs range from $45 to $200 (or even higher).
How long does it take to develop an LMS from scratch?
The time required to develop an LMS from scratch varies depending on several factors, such as the system size and complexity, the desired features, available resources, and the team expertise. However, it usually takes around several months to compile an LMS design, build, test, and deploy a fully functional platform.
Here is a list of different stages involved in creating an LMS and their average duration:
Planning and analyses. This phase includes creating a project scope, determining system requirements, and compiling a working plan. It can last for 2-4 weeks. The more features a future LMS will have, the longer is the stage.
Design. It may take around 4 to 8 weeks for an experienced team to design user interfaces and database architecture.
Development. During this phase, IT specialists will write code, and add third-party integrations, like live chats or mailing tools. Depending on the number and complexity of corporate LMS trends included it can take 8-24 weeks.
Testing and QA. This stage involves testing the ready-made Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for bugs and errors, analyzing customers’ experience, and gathering feedback for further software improvement.
Launching and support. It requires anywhere from several weeks to several months to initiate a fully functional LMS, train users, and provide system maintenance. The duration depends on the project’s ongoing needs.
We described the average time required to develop an educational platform from scratch. However, more precise numbers can be calculated after a thorough analysis of the client's requirements and goals. Anyway, to ensure a successful project outcome it’s crucial to have a clear plan, a dedicated expert team, and all the necessary resources. If you want to learn more about your personal case, contact the MPS team and get comprehensive answers.
Top-10 eLearning Trends
Since technologies are rapidly evolving, companies look for reliable ways to improve their employees’ training and development. Understanding the future of LMS can help us to accept new advancements in time and adapt our educational apps accordingly. So, let’s explore learning management system trends for 2024 and discover new opportunities for increasing corporate performance and productivity.
AI-Powered Co-Pilots
Modern educators and content creators use AI-driven LMS and tools, like chatGPT, to improve and streamline the process of compiling e-learning courses. They help analyze data, pick up-to-date and engaging content, tailoring to individual needs, and enhancing overall outcomes.
Co-pilots guide trainees through their personal educational journeys, providing real-time assistance and measuring progress. Additionally, AI-based learning management systems analyze customers' behavior and promptly adjust materials according to individual preferences, level of knowledge, and objectives.
Cohort Learning
This trend for LMS systems is widespread in higher education and among K-12 learners (from kindergarten to the 12th grade), where tutors provide coursework for a group of students. Every member follows the same curriculum and educational pace in LMS programs and cohorts. All the participants complete training within a predetermined schedule. Interaction between students is a key part of the process. Learners get real-time support from teachers and also can lean on each other for additional assistance in pursuing common goals.
LMS cohorts encourage trainees to actively participate in group discussions via special dashboards or forums. The approach motivates students to complete tasks on time with fixed deadlines and may provide some competitive spirit. While this concept is not new, it prioritizes the importance of collaboration in a digital environment and assistance associated with classic face-to-face instructions.
Immersive Learning
Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) technologies change the way people gain new skills and knowledge by offering an immersive e-learning experience. The simplest example of AR is a Pokemon Go game released in 2016. Modern apps work in the same way, overlaying digital elements onto real-world objects. AR glasses and headwear provide contextual data and instructions right in the users’ field of view, making this technology one of the LMS future trends, which allows practicing different daily activities, from complex machinery maintenance to surgical procedures.
VR sets fully immerse students into the digital environment, where they can explore real-life scenarios without facing irreparable consequences. Virtual reality ensures a safe and fully controlled space for mastering acquired proficiencies.
Both AR and VR deliver better learners’ outcomes as they offer dynamic and engaging experiences, prepare users for real-world challenges, and increase their confidence.
Adding game-like elements to the educational environment can make the process more interesting and appealing to users. Learning becomes not just necessary but fun with leaderboards, badges, point systems, and different levels. The gamification trend can significantly increase customer engagement, motivation, and productivity when applied correctly.
Take Duolingo, the language mobile app, for example. It awards customers with “Wildfire” badges for their personal achievements, like using the program for three days in a row or completing the seven and 14-day streaks. Students can reach ten levels in total. Providing gamification in e-learning, Duolingo encourages users to continue developing their skills further, improving their experience and increasing retention.
Mobile Optimization
To keep competitive advantages and meet customers’ expectations, creators should prioritize mobile optimization as one of the crucial learning management system requirements in 2024. Modern customers increasingly rely on their devices for communication and data access. That’s why adapting apps to their preferences and on-the-go lifestyles will remain an imperative trend in LMS development.
Mobile optimization makes learning materials accessible to individuals because they can use content anywhere they are, at home or waiting in line. Such flexibility empowers the target audience to make the most of their education and use every free moment for continuous study.
Mobile-friendly LMSs give customers more freedom and convenience, leading to effective outcomes and long-term loyalty.
Real-Time Analytics
Today’s rapidly changing educational landscape obliges tutors to constantly tailor to individuals' needs. LMS reporting and analytics provide valuable insights into customers' behavior, their performance, and engagement levels, helping to craft personalized e-learning paths and timely optimize the content or even methods of its delivery.
Advanced LMSs with built-in analytical tools allow instructors to identify knowledge gaps and challenges for every student, ensure real-time progress monitoring and feedback, leading to data-driven decisions and continuous course improvements. Real-time reports are vital for providing microlearning as they allow creators to compile bite-sized content focused on a specific outcome more precisely.
One of the main reasons why the LMS Trends 2024 list includes blockchain technology lies in its ability to protect the system from unauthorized access and data modification (or even deletion). By applying encryptions and digital signatures, you can ensure that only verified users have access to your content. Moreover, blockchains can prevent copying your materials without permission or falsifying customers’ qualifications.
Additionally, you can achieve advanced security in your LMS by storing data across multiple nodes. This approach minimizes the risks of a single point of attack and failure.
To implement blockchain technology, you may use existing platforms like Blockcerts or OpenLedger or develop your own app on a Hyperledger framework.
Integration with IoT
The future state of learning management systems seems almost impossible without the Internet of Things (IoT). By creating a smart environment based on IoT technologies, instructors can satisfy rising demands for flexible, accessible, personalized, and efficient educational experiences.
Within IoT-powered safe systems, students can collaborate on projects, share materials, and communicate with tutors and each other. IoT devices enable seamless connectivity and facilitate adaptive and immersive learning experiences. Moreover, classrooms equipped with sensors or smartboards can transform a traditional environment into a smart one capable of automating administrative tasks, monitoring attendance or students’ progress, and encouraging interactivity.
Personalized Training Content
When education is tailored to individuals, they are more likely to be actively involved in the process. By offering a personalized learning approach to its employees, organizations will get better results from corporate training. The one-size-fits-all solution won’t work anymore if companies want to receive improved workers’ performance and continuous professional development.
Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) will become one of the LMS industry trends in 2024, as it allows for a tailored journey for every individual, focusing on their current strength and areas of improvement. Advanced educational systems will analyze the trainees’ previous performance and achievements, adjusting materials and delivery methods to specific needs and optimizing knowledge acquisition.
Technology stack for LMS
There is no all-in-one solution that will fit all LMSs as the applied technology depends on specific users’ needs, available budget, and required expertise. Still, there are some common trends in learning management systems stacks that you may choose for your case:
Java, PHP, Python, and Ruby are the most widespread programming languages used for building an educational website. They have many libraries and frameworks which may ease the development process.
MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL are popular databases for LMSs. The best choice will depend on your system requirements and app complexity.
WordPress and Drupal (CMSs) are often choices for developers who want to build a successful educational app.
Also, if you are looking for open-source software packages that combine best-in-tech solutions, pay attention to Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle for LMS.
Emerging trends in LMSs focus on optimizing the learning experience and supporting students according to their personal needs. In summary, they prioritize AI-powered tools, VR/AR technologies, gamification, behavior analysis, accessibility, and improved data security based on Blockchain.
To stay up-to-date with the market changes and enhance your corporate training apps, consider partnering with a trustworthy software developer. Multi-Programming Solutions stay informed and utilize new industry trends helping companies strengthen their educational environments and lead them to success.
Every self-respecting business owner, at some point, thinks of improving employees' knowledge, mastery, and confidence. They may already succeed in creating an eLearning platform for corporate training. However, it still needs constant updating to keep the staff up with time and deliver the most relevant data. While developing online lessons is a lengthy process requiring experience and tech power, distributing tasks can become the only solution for companies searching for quick and efficient results.
Today’s busy and tech-savvy online customers are interested in mobile-friendly educational courses suitable for smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets. User-centric and accessible, gamified and bite-sized, mLearning can happen anytime, anywhere. You should learn how to implement it in the organization to make it a part of your corporate culture.
When planning the educational program development, it’s crucial to determine how your training is delivered and where to adopt a more customer-centered approach in your project. If you want to receive better course outcomes, it’s time to pay more attention to the student’s engagement. The more interest your Edtech app will generate, the higher retention you’ll get when learners start applying received skills in practice.
