Hiring challenges are always evolving, which is dependent on a number of factors. However, we’re often asked the same core questions by clients. So, we’ve pulled together a quick Q&A based on the most common client queries.

What roles are most in-demand in 2025?

Right now, we’re seeing the highest demand for:

• Learning Technologists (Primarily Canvas and Moodle)
• Specialists within Data, Analytics & AI Fluency
• Learning Designers (both generalist and subject-specific)
• eLearning Developers (Articulate, Rise, Storyline)

In truth, the core positions we get asked to provide most regularly has largely remained the same over the last 5-10 years. By this I am referring to Learning Designers, Digital Learning Developers and Learning Technologists. However, recently we have seen a marked increase in the demand for Data & AI specialist.

What are the going rates and salaries?

We recently published our 2025 Salary & Day Rate Guide, which benchmarks average pay for digital learning roles across the education sector.

Want the full breakdown? Just get in touch and we’ll send you a free copy!

What’s the current market like for contractors?

The contractor market is going strong. Due to sector wide redundancies, many Institutes are operating with very lean structures, and therefore when there is a particularly busy period, organisations simply don’t have enough resource to cope. Especially for business-critical projects such as platform migrations.

Education providers are increasingly using contract resource for flexibility, especially where budgets are tight or internal approvals for permanent posts take so long to get approved.

IR35 compliance and ease of onboarding remain important to clients – which is why we’ve built processes that minimise admin and risk.

How quickly can we get someone started?

Contract hires: We can source suitable candidates within 24 – 48 hours of receiving a brief. Permanent roles typically take 1 working week to source, depending on how niche the requirements. For very specific skill sets, this may take slightly longer.

In terms of getting somebody started in post, you can expect to wait 6-8 weeks depending on notice periods, interview stages, and salary competitiveness.

All candidates are fully vetted and pre-screened meaning they can hit the ground running.

Can you provide teams for larger digital learning programmes?

Absolutely. We regularly support:

• Institution-wide LMS rollouts
• New online course launches
• Digital transformation and AI-led learning projects
• Content digitisation and accessibility improvements

We can provide a blend of contractors and permanent hires, or fully contract-led delivery teams with embedded PMs as an Statement of Work (SOW) contract

What we’re looking for is a bit of a ‘Unicorn’ can you help?

Yes, we frequently get asked to provide Unicorns. After all, if Unicorns were easy to find, we would be out of a job!

As an example, we have experience placing:

• VLE migration consultants, with specific VLE’s
• SC-cleared instructional designers, Digital Learning Developers etc
• Accessibility specialists – WCAG 2.2
• Multilingual Learning professions: Mandarin, Dutch, Arabic etc.
• Learning analysts with Power BI/Tableau skills
• AI and Chatbot learning developers

We maintain deep networks within the sector, meaning we can often find talent others miss.

Have a question we haven’t covered?

Feel free to get in touch – whether you’re benchmarking, planning, or just exploring options, we’re always happy to help.

With 96% of universities and 79% of further education colleges across the United Kingdom currently utilising augmented or virtual reality or a bespoke eLearning solution in some capacity for learning and development, it’s clear that the field is already embracing emerging technologies. But how are they reshaping higher education in 2023 for students and staff?

This guide explores the latest trends in eLearning technology, highlighting the principles and developments empowering this growing field and the impact a robust virtual learning environment can have on students’ educational attainment. Alongside this, we’ll also discuss what the present can tell us about the trajectory of eLearning technology over the next five years.

How is eLearning Technology Evolving?

As eLearning technology evolves, so do the techniques and methodologies that inform its development. Designers, software programmers, and learning coordinators across the virtual learning environment are applying the theories of instructional design to their work in order to expand and enhance learners’ experiences.

The ARCS model plays an increasingly significant role in the evolution of eLearning technology. The acronym represents the focus of instructional design experts: keeping the attention of a team or class, the relevance of educational content, students’ confidence in directing their own learning, and the satisfaction that all involved should come away with after an educational experience.

Digital learning in higher education is helping students to achieve their academic goals, and the ARCS model is ensuring that eLearning technology is helping learners to achieve their academic goals and remain engaged with their studies—indeed, it doesn’t matter how cutting-edge the software is if it fails to motivate an audience to use it.

eLearning technology is helping to maintain learners’ interest, and with the refinement of emerging technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality—which we’ll explore in greater detail in the last section—it’s easier than ever to combine hands-on learning with discussion and collaboration.

Likewise, the learning process itself can show the usefulness of the content when it’s delivered in a practical manner such as this, meaning that students can bridge the gap between academic study and the real world. eLearning technology is helping learners to understand how their studies will help them not only today but in the future too—whether that’s getting into university or getting a job.

The development of AI and data collection is making it easier for educators to assess learners’ strengths and weaknesses. Many bespoke eLearning products provide students with immediate feedback, giving them the tools they need to direct their own learning and hone those skills they need more practice in. This personalised learning experience can help to keep students motivated whilst minimising the risk of them falling behind their classmates.

Outside of lessons, AI and machine learning are helping to reshape higher education by automating enrollment, grading, and marking, saving teachers the time spent on clerical duties. As a result, these technologies can aid work-life balance and allow educators to spend more time with their students.

At the same time, staff can now quickly parse and present metrics on engagement and attainment, with these data-driven strategies going on to inform the continued development of learning strategies.

Bespoke eLearning Strategies: Aiding the Digital Transformation in Higher Education

Digital learning in higher education requires a comprehensive, strategic approach. Technology is crucial, but it’s only one part of the puzzle of educational change—and finding the right eLearning technology is just the start of solving the problem. Training your staff on the use of this technology is also vital, as is supporting the wider organisation through the shift that this transformation requires.

This is known as the 20:20:60 rule, suggesting how much a strategy should focus on each specific area, from the technological platform to the training of staff and learners and support for the overall transition towards bespoke eLearning technologies, respectively. Technology is visible and can show learners and educators that an organisation is beginning to implement change, but it takes time and effort to change habits and educational methodologies.

In return, all students and faculty are set to gain from the evolution of digital education:

• Bespoke eLearning technology is helping to respond to the “long shadow” of the pandemic in the higher education sector. The number of top grades awarded fell by 8.4% in 2022, impacting already struggling students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but catching up on missed skills and competencies becomes easier when advances in digital education mean that students can guide their own learning and tutors can see, at a glance, an overview of attainment across an entire semester.
• With the digital transformation in education, there’s a move away from the “one size fits all approach.” This is particularly vital when we consider the UK Government’s data which highlights that 1.5 million students have special educational needs or a care and support plan in place. Advances in accessibility standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), mean that diverse learners from all backgrounds and levels of ability can benefit from the virtual learning environment.
• Massive open online courses (MOOCs) make it easier for students to study outside standard hours. This frees up teaching staff to focus on ensuring that all students can meet core learning outcomes, whilst those ready for a greater challenge can study in their own time. Integrating these eLearning platforms into existing learning management systems means that teachers can continue to track progress and provide feedback should necessary.
• Video conferencing and document sharing are making it easier for all staff to collaborate and enhance the educational environment. The increasing integration of these collaboration tools is making it easier for admin and support staff to work with teachers and students, support learning activities, track attendance, and keep student data safe.

Staff and students need to be helped to understand how to use eLearning technology, why it’s being used, and the benefits of new ways of teaching and learning. This requires regular training and support for staff, providing examples of success from across the industry that utilise this bespoke eLearning strategy and—perhaps most importantly—visibility from leadership.

The Future of Digital Learning in Higher Education

So, now that we know the present situation for digital transformation in higher education, what does the future hold?

As with most things tech, the growth of eLearning over the next five years will be supercharged by research into artificial intelligence and data processing automation across multiple sources.

The increasing use of big data will allow for information to be quickly passed back and forth between the virtual learning environment and the classroom. Smartboards are not a new technology, but with their integration with cloud-based eLearning platforms via the educational Internet of Things (IoT), lesson plans and feedback can be quickly archived and shared, helping students and staff to stay organised and revisit educational resources in their own time.

Alongside this, the next five years will no doubt see the continued success of virtual and augmented reality eLearning technology. As we mentioned at the start of this article, many institutions already leverage this equipment to deliver experiential learning opportunities, giving students the ability to visualise complex physical and chemical principles or to encounter and resolve complex engineering and manufacturing problems in a risk-free environment.

With the VR for education market having reached a global value of $8.6bn in 2022, students will continue to be engaged and motivated to reach educational milestones through discussions, helping to reach the ideal blend of scenario-based, collaborative, and formalised learning.

Microlearning is also growing in popularity, with educators breaking down complex ideas and concepts into bite-sized theoretical study, which is spaced out with games, discussions with classmates, or simulations. This form of learning has been shown to improve retention of educational content by up to 90% compared to traditional forms of learning and prepares higher education students for the continuous learning and attitude towards personal development that is required for success in many career paths.

Key Takeaways

eLearning technology is rapidly reshaping higher education in 2023 and beyond. With the widespread adoption of VR/AR, bespoke eLearning platforms, and big data, educational institutions are increasingly able to provide students with more engaging and relevant learning experiences.

The integration of instructional design principles, such as the ARCS model, ensures that the virtual learning environment motivates learners and enhances their academic achievements. Furthermore, AI and data collection enables personalised learning experiences and streamline administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus on student engagement.

As we move through the decade, these developments promise to revolutionise digital learning in higher education, facilitating experiential learning, fostering collaboration, and catering to learners from every background. With eLearning technology as a catalyst for change, higher education is poised for a digital transformation that will empower students and educators alike.

Specialists in Recruiting eLearning Technology Professionals

At Instinct Resourcing, our consultants possess the expertise you need to connect with the eLearning technology specialists you require to drive the success of your digital education strategy, support learners in achieving their learning goals, and achieve enhanced productivity. To learn more about our services, get in touch for a no-nonsense discussion of your recruitment needs.

With an ever-evolving political and economic landscape, Universities have had to remain cautious, and rightly so. Unlike the golden age of 2021-2022, funding is now scarce. Not only that, but recruitment processes have also become cumbersome, largely due to self-inflicted institutional challenges.

If a hiring manager has an urgent need for a Learning Technologist for example, they will need to advertise the position for a period of 4-6 weeks, after that there will be a period of review with an interview date scheduled for 2-3 weeks after the application deadline. Not to mention if a successful candidate isn’t selected, the process will need to start all over again. All in all, it could take 3-6 months from the point of advertising for a position, to having somebody in post.

Occasionally, time isn’t necessarily the driving factor. In this case, the above process can work just fine. However, when a piece of content needs to be developed on a tight deadline, or a VLE needs to be integrated for a specific academic term, the timescales above aren’t viable, and the consequences of not having the right talent onboard can be catastrophic.

In summary, Education institutes need a more effective way of securing talent, on-demand at point of need and hiring contractors can offer a cost-effective solution that provides the flexibility required.

Benefits of hiring a contractor

• Hiring contractors is a great way to keep the costs down – that’s right, hiring a contractor can be cost-effective! Unlike their permanent counterparts, the organisation won’t be responsible for holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions, and general payroll expenses. This prevents institutions from incurring the ongoing costs of full-time employment.
• A flexible resource – Contractors are the perfect solution for project-based work and allow you to easily manage peaks and troughs in business demand. All of Instincts’ contracts are fully flexible and managed on a monthly time-sheet basis, meaning you only pay for the time a contractor works!
• True expertise – All contractors provided by Instinct are seasoned professionals, with many years of industry experience. Additionally, your teams can be upskilled by learning from the best and formulating new ways of working. Any contractor provided by Instinct would have likely worked through us previously, giving you the peace of mind that they can be trusted to deliver high-quality work.
• A quick turnaround – Instinct can provide you with a short list of fully vetted contractors within 24 hours. This can help free up your internal team to deliver against BAU projects, without suffering from ‘burn-out’. 
• You can still recruit on a Permanent basis – Often what you need is a new permanent head on the team. However, a contractor can be a great interim solution whilst your internal teams work to source a more permanent appointment. Allowing you to still deliver against deadlines.

With growing competition among UK universities, as well as from international institutions for students, it’s crucial that we adapt to the evolving expectations of today’s generation.

It is widely accepted that Gen Z prefers the involvement of digital tools in learning, after all, they are digital natives as opposed to adopters and what a good educational offering looked like to a student 30 years ago, is very different to what it looks like today.

But to be able to deliver the high-quality Digital Learning offering required, we need to reflect on the quality of talent who are developing it, and potentially some of the ways we are procuring and attracting that talent.

By no means is the above a suggestion that we move away from permanent recruitment, as that would simply not be viable. However, what is clear is that from conversations we have with Education institutes on a daily basis, many are simply not aware of how procuring a contractor works in practice and in fact how straightforward the process can be.

If this resonates with you, please give me a call for a no obligation chat!

After working in the Education Team at Instinct Resourcing for over 2 years, I have spoken to countless teachers looking to make the career move into the eLearning sector. Although many career paths can lead to eLearning, a teaching background is often the most logical route to making the leap. Who wouldn’t see the appeal in flexible work arrangements, scrapping endless hours of marking, but still utilising your expert knowledge of learning theories? In this article, I will cover some of the trends I have seen firsthand that have assisted ‘transitioning teachers’ into eLearning.

Deciding which eLearning role is right for you. 

Before delving into some tips and tricks on how to transition into eLearning, let’s identify the eLearning roles you could potentially move into.

Starting by breaking down the entry-level roles into three positions:  Instructional Designer, eLearning Developer, and Learning Technologist. These are some of the most popular entry-level roles we recruit for.

• An Instructional Designer meets with Academics/SMEs, determines learning objectives, implements a pedagogical approach, and builds a course blueprint.
• An eLearning Developer takes the blueprint and creates the course using authoring tools, develops media, and interaction pieces, and presents the course for review.
• A Learning Technologist maintains the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, etc), uploads courses, ensures easy navigation of the platform, troubleshoots, ticketing, and supports and trains staff and students on best practices of the VLE.

The role responsibilities do crossover and are open to interpretation, but I would say at an entry-level position these are the three roles you could start in your eLearning career.

Although skill sets are not exclusive to a role, in my experience each role tends to attract similar skill sets. Typically, Instructional Designer’s research adult learning principles, and understand how students learn best, as well as being strong writers. eLearning Developers have a creative flair with an eye for the arts and multimedia. While Learning Technologists help people to use the technology, lead workshops and enjoy working with technical tools.

How to transition into eLearning 

If the role of an Instructional Designer is more suited to you, I suggest researching the Instructional Design principles. These are practices and theories of how to create an eLearning course. Including the ADDIE Model, SAM, ABC, 70:20:10, 5DI, etc.. They are the backbone of eLearning courses and if done well, ensure a good student experience. There are several courses, including a course by the Digital Learning Institute, which is a paid-for course that will cover the above. Also, various University degrees are available to complete, and charities are always looking for volunteers to help.

Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio. I cannot stress this enough. While Teachers create lessons day after day, they are not the same as an eLearning course. You may have the knowledge of creating a pedagogically sound classroom lesson and there are similarities to this and an eLearning course, but keeping an individual focused and entertained without using your presence is a new skill. You can download a demo of Articulate 360 and familiarise yourself with its tools and techniques. Just remember to save these courses and create a portfolio, make something you are proud of. Also, LDN Apprenticeships have a course on how to use an array of authoring tools, so you are ready to walk into a role as an eLearning Developer.

Lastly, for a Learning Technologist position, it may be hard to get your hands on a VLE, unless your current employer has one, but some skills are easy to bring out into your CV. You will be coaching members of staff and students on how to use certain tools, leading workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and drop-in sessions. Working with students to understand their queries and advising how to fix them. We would likely see people from a technical background or an Academic background where they can advise on TEL (Technology-Enhanced Learning) Tools.

As is the same with moving to any new position, it can probably be broken down into 4 key steps, earn a qualification, develop technical and specific tools, get relevant work experience, and then keep on being proactive in learning more and more. While I cannot guarantee this advice will lead to instant success, this is advice I give daily to the education sector.

If you a teacher looking to make the transition into eLearning, it would be great to hear from you. Or, if you have already made the leap into eLearning, what was a determining factor that helped you get your first eLearning position?

Get in touch today – gus.beecroft@instinct.co.uk

UNICEF notes that “blending online learning with face-to-face teaching generally produces better outcomes than face-to-face or online learning alone”, it was described to also engage students on an emotional level, positively impacting students’ attitudes, enjoyment and interests towards the learning which increased participation and completion rates.

But, why is this?

Some believe that learners have the flexibility to learn when suits them, enabling them to tune into their natural cycles when they feel they can retain information rather than being forced into learning when they may be otherwise occupied, others note that the interactivity and creativity of online learning enhances the student experience and provides something different which students embrace. “When properly designed, delivered and evaluated, online learning initiatives based on a solid digital learning strategy can change a company’s corporate culture, improve employee engagement and increase retention” (CCL, 2020).

With professional development, time is of the essence, particularly for corporate organisations where they will see staff away from their work for periods of time to complete learning programmes. The CIPD (2017) outlines that digital learning requires less time for learning, with 40-60% less ‘time to learn’ than traditional classroom learning. This was then coupled with digital learning resulting in a higher retention rate, the Research Institute of America (2020) outlined retention rates from digital learning to be between 25 and 60%, rather than traditional classroom learning peaking at 10%. With these statistics, it seems to be a no-brainer to include digital and blended learning in the learning and development strategy.

Some would argue that the digital element would be a considerable investment, and the upfront costs into the unknown just aren’t worth the risk. However, with the lost working time, retention and cost of face-to-face training to consider, the digital learning element would (in time) pay for itself. The resources can be used time and time again for other learners, the higher retention rates mean that organisations wouldn’t have to continually re-train their employees. The US Navy implemented VR training combined with immersive learning, initially investing $1.28 million. Closely tracked, they calculated a whopping $4.24 million in avoided costs and an ROI of $2.96 million (Beck, in CIPD, 2021). Not all organisations can splash out $1.28 million on a new immersive learning programme, but it demonstrates that the ROI can be incredible if an organisation is willing to take the plunge.

To conclude, with a huge increase in retention of learning, a reduction of ‘time to learn’ for employees thus enabling them to return to work and an impressive track record of ROI, it seems digital and blended learning is only securing itself a place in becoming part of the ‘norm’ for a learning strategy, rather than being viewed as a fancy and frivolous piece of technology.

UNI CEF (2021). https://www.unicef.org/media/103246/file/Effectiveness%20of%20digital%20learning%20solutions%20to%20improve%20educational%20outcomes%20-%20A%20review%20of%20the%20evidence.pdf

CCL (2020). How Technology in Education Improves Student Engagement | ACC Blog

CIPD (2021). Digital learning in a post-COVID-19 economy: a literature review (cipd.org)

Research Institute of America – WeForum (2020). The rise of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

With a large proportion of conversations relating back to the topic of the election and what impact (if any) this will bring to the education space, whether through extra funding or visa changes, we’ve heard many say it’s easy to feel helpless against it all.

Therefore, we wanted to take a look at what the digital learning space could be doing to engage the current students and we can look to build an attractive and engaging provision for the future in a space where universities are having to do more than ever before to draw in students.

What student engagement looks like & the benefits 

Increasing student engagement seems to be an aim for most institutions, but often one that many will admit can be overlooked in the busy day-to-day of programme production.

It goes without saying, that improving the engagement of current students has a direct positive impact, but a secondary effect that is sometimes overlooked is that it often also proves to be an effective method of increasing the appeal of the learning to future students when the course is generating high-level results. This can be a simple and cost-effective method of increasing the desirability of an organisation’s education offering, as it is often achievable through a change in mindset and strategy.

So, what do we actually mean when we talk engagement? The definition of student engagement is the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught, which extends to the level of motivation they have to learn (EdGlossary). Studies have shown that there is a moderately strong and positive correlation between overall student engagement and academic achievement, and an analysis of the domains of behavioural, emotional, and cognitive engagement showed that almost all had a positive correlation with students’ academic achievement (Social Behaviour and Personality, 2018).

Student Engagement through Digital Learning 

Digital learning has come so far over the years, but many still have a perception of it as a click-through course. Creating learning that allows for ‘power-clicking’, a term I’ve heard across the industry, is something I think most creators can hold their hands up to do, especially when feeling stretched for time and pressured to develop straightforward/beginner-friendly pieces of learning. However, in reality, if a course allows for power-clicking it will always be the easy option for a learner to take and naturally one that most opt for over truly engaging with the content.

“I never like seeing courses that lock learning down to a series of clicks. I think if learners are trying to get to the end as quickly as possible, we’ve probably already failed to provide them with an engaging learning experience. I don’t expect engagement to suddenly materialise just because we’ve asked them to click on something. It has to start much earlier than this.”  Laura Giles, Head of Learning

So, if engagement is what we’re striving for, this poses the question of ‘how do we truly engage the learner?’. There are in fact multiple ways to affect this, and they’re often referred to as the different modes or dimensions of engagement (see below).

Figure 1 – Dimensions of engagement (Redmond et al., 2018).

Redmond et al wrote about the topic in 2018 and the above illustration is an effective visual showing the different methods he covered which can affect engagement. Examples of each of the engagement modes, specifically in the space of digital learning, were proposed by Redmond et al such as:

Figure 2 – Redmond Online Engagement Framework for Higher Education

It is all well and good having plans for increasing the engagement, however in order to be able to engage students, we must first have students enrolled and in a position to start the course. So how do we create an attractive offering and ultimately get people through the door?

How to attract them to be able to engage them… 

As student numbers have fallen, there’s been a lot of information batted around this year about what learners are actually looking for from digital learning, and therefore different organisations seem to each have taken their own individual approach to creating an attractive, yet effective, learning portfolio.

Although much smaller than in earlier years, convincing students to enrol onto digital learning courses still remains a challenge for the sector. EYs 2024 study of 3000 Higher Education learners found that the application process was vital to this and that digital pathways should be designed in such a way that it takes prospective students through the application within just a few clicks. They also suggested that those who abandon their applications part-way should be intercepted and personally re-engaged to increase levels of enrolment. 80% of those in the study also stated that courses that appeared to improve career prospects and those that adapted to the changes in the topic’s market were extremely attractive to them whilst they were choosing where to enrol.

McKinsey & Company’s 2023 study of 7,000 students across 17 countries identified 8 key dimensions that were important to learners, specifically within the area of digital learning (see below).

Figure 3 – McKinsey & Company

As a market, I can honestly say I think the digital learning space is always seeking to provide nothing but the best for students, and I’m sure many of the above 8 areas are already being addressed in most institutes, but there’s always room for improvement, right?

I am, of course, a recruiter, not a digital learning expert, and therefore a little bit on the outside looking in. However, I truly believe that from what I’ve seen and heard, with a whole lot of resistance, some innovative thinking, and a bit of backing from the government (hopeful, I know!), we can pull through this current downturn.

Many universities are grappling with financial difficulties, as well as the need to adapt to the demands of future-proofing their institutions, to not only restore financial stability but to prosper in a rapidly changing environment.

Regardless of the institution, many Vice-chancellors and Provosts across the UK have expressed similar concerns and challenges. The issues expressed to us stem partly from stagnation in government funding and the general inflationary environment, in conjunction with reports of a decline in student enrolment, specifically international students.

The figures

I don’t think many would disagree that international students are paramount for the UK economy, with international students generating a total economic benefit of approximately £41.9 billion in the academic year 2021/22 alone.

In terms of tuition costs, for undergraduate programs, the fees for international students typically range from £11,400 to £67,892 per year, with the cost generally higher for subjects like medicine and lower for arts and humanities (Save the Student). Postgraduate fees also vary, with MBAs at about £21,754(Save the Student)(British Council Study UK). In 2022/23 fee income from all international students was £11.8 billion. This was 23% of total income, up from around 5% in the mid-1990s.

The figures illustrate that there is a significant financial commitment required for international students pursuing higher education in the UK, a commitment international students have been willing to make for years. After all, the UK has long been one of the most popular destinations for study. Largely due to the range of courses offered and internationally recognised degrees. If it weren’t for a less-than-tropical climate, the appeal could be greater still!

So, what’s the problem?

Data from an international student enrolment platform suggests that postgraduate entrants in January 2024 were down by around one-third. Noted, there has been delays with the publication of comprehensive student data for 2022/23, however there are some strong signs of a fall in student numbers in 2023 and early 2024.

The number of student visas granted fell by 5% in 2023. And a recent article published by the Guardian gathered data from more than 60 UK universities which shows that the number of study visas issued has fallen by 33% this year compared to the same time last year.

A separate survey of 70 universities by Universities UK, found that enrolments in postgraduate taught courses were down by more than 40% since January’s immigration changes, which announced some new restrictions on student visa conditions, in which people coming to do taught postgraduate courses lost the right to bring dependent family members to the UK, and new students have been prevented from switching into a work visa before the end of their course.

That being said, any further changes have since been postponed, with the Sunak Government reaffirming its commitment to the International Education Strategy.

Universities with the help of the Government (whoever that may be), need to do all they can to ensure the UK remains a leading destination of choice for those choosing to study in the UK from abroad and worth noting that some positive articles actually praise the growth in student enrolment over the last 10 years when looking at the broader view.

So, what can we do?

One approach would be to leverage technology. During May 2024, there have been several interesting developments that highlight the crucial role that Digital Learning plays in the Higher education sector. Credit to Kate Lindsay (SVP Academic Services at Higher Ed Partners) for compiling this list in a recent LinkedIn post:

The Higher Education Commission released a report on Digitally Enhanced Blended Learning, emphasising the benefits of technology in higher education, including widened participation and improved student outcomes.

Data from the US shows a significant increase in younger students enrolling in online programs, with undergraduate enrolments rising by almost two-thirds.

The Open University published a research report on relaxed tutorials in online learning, showcasing how it can offer a more inclusive education for students with disabilities.

The World Economic Forum’s latest report looks into AI’s impact on education, advocating for responsible AI integration in educational systems worldwide.

HEPI’s new report on student attrition calls for a new approach to non-continuation, highlighting challenges that impact online learners specifically.

The latest Transnational Education data sheds light on the international online student market, showing modest growth and untapped potential.

It’s no secret that digital learning has become increasingly important for higher education, offering numerous benefits and opportunities for both institutions and students. In fact, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, digital learning played a crucial role in helping UK universities maintain continuity, support students, and adapt to unprecedented challenges.

Higher education is likely a few steps behind other industries and although there is no single way to achieve digital transformation successfully, as it depends on the context of each organisation/institute, there is still a massive opportunity for growth.

The necessity for it is widely recognised, but there is still a limited understanding of the most effective way to progress. Get it right and reap the rewards!

Disclaimer

I don’t claim to be an expert within the higher education sector, I just provide Digital Learning resource to it. But whilst writing this blog I was surprised at the amount of contradicting literature / articles around the challenges facing UK universities. Some were far more optimistic than others!

I would be interested to hear the thoughts of those working in the industry. Is the Higher Education sector in crisis? Or is this just another blip that will soon usher in a return of more promising times (again)?

The digital education industry truly showed how indispensable it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the digital transformation in education was already well underway even prior to the beginning of the 2020s. As learners’ needs continue to develop and digital education evolves into a dynamic environment that can cater to the requirements of learners across the globe, eLearning platform development is allowing educators to deliver productive, engaging educational experiences.

This guide explores how an organisation can settle on the correct eLearning platform by assessing their needs before discussing some of the most popular offerings in the digital education market, their benefits, and what organisations can expect to pay to begin leveraging them inside and outside of the classroom.

How can an eLearning Platform Revolutionise Learning?

eLearning platform development has markedly advanced over the last few years—driving the digital transformation in education through incorporating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automated plagiarism detection into comprehensive, often cloud-based software solutions.

Alongside this, the designers, developers, and coordinators bringing new eLearning companies and their products to market are working in closer collaboration with subject matter experts through advances in hybrid and remote co-working, enabling knowledge producers to enrich the content of these virtual courses, training, and digital education experiences.

An eLearning platform can help to accommodate the needs of a diverse student body, especially given the way that these needs have evolved during the pandemic:

• eLearning platforms have increased the ability for educators to offer personalised, 1-2-1 tuition. This is proving especially helpful in particularly problematic subject areas impacted by the pandemic, such as literacy or numeracy.
• The ability to offer course modules and additional resources which can be accessed at an individual learner’s preferred pace. This increases students’ engagement and their ability to gain knowledge since they can always return to previous lectures or tutorials if they’re struggling or preparing for examinations.
• eLearning solutions and their content can be tailored according to classroom or instructor needs. This can be guided by how your learners respond—with digital education platforms offering multiple channels of learning from videos to the spoken word—such as podcasts or lecture recordings—or text-based experiences.
• Virtual learning environments encourage collaboration between students. Through the incorporation of discussion boards and comment sections, students can discuss courses and their solutions to problems together, preparing them for the collaboration they’ll encounter in the workplace.

• An eLearning platform can help students to complete work assigned outside of core educational hours. 43% of US college students find eLearning solutions help them complete their assigned coursework effectively, and 81% agree that the digital transformation in education has helped them to improve their grades. In short, eLearning companies are playing a vital role in ensuring students continue to attain success.

In addition to these benefits for learners, the push for digital education and eLearning solutions means that educators are increasingly able to offer personalised and prompt feedback to students, enabling them to complete their administrative duties effectively and flexibly whilst tracking key attainment metrics over the course of the academic year. Meanwhile, the shift towards cloud-based VLEs has meant that maintenance costs have diminished, with technical issues now able to be solved rapidly and remotely.

How to Assess Your eLearning Needs

It’s important that organisations understand how to assess their eLearning needs before they begin to evaluate the different eLearning solutions on the market. But how can this be done for further and higher education institutions, such as colleges, universities, and centres of professional training and accreditation?

Any successful digital education strategy will, first and foremost, need to incorporate both technical expertise and subject matter knowledge—a comprehensive eLearning platform experience will suffer if learners and staff are unable to utilise the service effectively due to bugs or poor performance, whilst learners will gain little from a smooth experience on a platform with a dearth of educational content.

In short, it’s important to understand your personnel requirements.

The rollout of a tech-forward eLearning platform is going to require a technical lead. Whilst you may believe that your current computing teaching staff are able to support this role, it’s important to establish whether teaching timetables will allow for this critical role to be filled by a teacher, particularly as hundreds—or even thousands—of students start to utilise the platform on a daily basis.

Understanding whether you require a technical lead—and you understand the talent pool for these professionals—will be the first step in assessing your eLearning needs.

Alongside this, you may wish to acquire a learning lead that can work across multiple educational disciplines, collaborating with your classroom teaching staff to ensure that the digital education experience can support teaching staff in their in-person duties.

The digital learning lead can help you to understand whether existing teaching staff require training to take full advantage of the eLearning solutions at their fingertips, helping your organisation to quickly adapt to this digital transformation in education.

There are a number of other steps you’ll need to take, beyond staffing and the consideration of your current skills gaps, to ensure that your digital education strategy can succeed:

• Think about utilising your existing rubric to understand the criteria by which your proposed eLearning solutions can be assessed. This can be a good way for your teaching staff and learners to illustrate what really makes a difference in their educational experiences and what a quality VLE looks like for them.
• Ensure your proposed eLearning solutions are fit for purpose by ensuring that they’re increasing accessibility. An eLearning platform is an excellent way to increase participation, especially for students who, due to an existing disability or personal circumstances, may be unable to attend in-person lectures—but it’s important to be confident that your online portals are following accessibility best practices, such as those published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
• Consider how your proposed eLearning platform will integrate with your other learning management systems. Will they work well with the ways that you currently distribute work to students online, track attendance, or measure attainment? Many of the tools we’ll explore in the next section are Learning Tools Interoperability-compliant, meaning they should integrate seamlessly with your current LMS, allowing for the back-and-forth sharing of data.

Alongside these crucial points to reflect on before choosing an eLearning platform, it’s important to consider data security—and the duty your organisation has to keep safe the personal information your students and staff provide when signing up or signing in to their eLearning account.

Data privacy breaches can not only be fiscally costly, but they can also significantly harm your reputation as an education provider, so it’s important to ensure that you have adequate skills to protect your users.

What eLearning Platform is Right for Your Organisation?

So, now that you’ve assessed your needs and understood the impact that eLearning solutions are having on the digital transformation in education, you’re ready to explore the latest offerings from eLearning companies—in this list, we’ll discuss some of the positives that leveraging these VLEs can provide to learners and staff and also highlight the average cost of these technologies.

1. Moodle

Moodle is an open-source and free LMS used to enhance approaches to blended learning and virtual education within schools and universities. Written in PHP and released under the GNU General Public License, it can be scaled to support organisations of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest classroom. It’s most commonly used to create custom online courses, and provides users and learning designers with a range of plugins to generate engaging and inclusive eLearning experiences.

Benefits

A major benefit of Moodle is its flexibility—users and developers have created a wide range of inbuilt features, integrations, and plugins which can be customised to the user’s content, ensuring the learning environment is tailored to their student’s specific needs. Alongside this, Moodle is built on a security and accessibility-first model, ensuring that users’ privacy is protected and knowledge can be accessed regardless of background.

Cost

The good news: Moodle is completely free. Released under an open-source model, it often requires more setup than out-of-the-box solutions, but once it has been set up, it won’t cost higher education institutions anything to run—beyond, of course, the cost of a Moodle developer if they choose to keep them as permanent employees.

Perfect For

Moodle was created with teachers, educators, and others in the learning environment in mind. It was designed to put fully customisable, engaging courses online quickly and easily, allowing students to be engaged through a broad range of multimedia and accessibility options.

2. Alta by Knewton

Knewton, an increasingly respected name amongst eLearning companies, claims that its Alta eLearning platform can adapt to learners’ dynamic needs and proficiency levels, identifying and reporting knowledge gaps to teaching staff and providing feedback to students to highlight where they can improve their skills. The instructor dashboard which Alta uses allows instructors to see, at a glance, how close learners are to achieving key learning outcomes at the course, classroom, and individual student levels.

Benefits

Alta helps students to recognise their own knowledge gaps, highlighting areas for further study whilst encouraging them to continue with assessments and coursework—meaning that educators can be confident that learners are receiving precise tuition in the areas they need the most help with. Alongside this, by not requiring students to complete “diagnostic” assignments to tune the software to their individual needs—instead performing continuous assessment on their answers—teachers can be certain that all work being completed is contributing towards their intended learning outcomes.

Cost

Alta offers three tiers of payments for different educational needs, such as short-term summer bootcamps or longer educational courses that will take place over multiple semesters, beginning at around $10.95 for single-student access.

Perfect For

Alta is perfect for institutions that are looking for a way to rapidly onboard learners and ensures that their digital education activities are focused on their weakest areas.

3. Querium

Querium’s focus is on eLearning solutions that help students master STEM subjects, providing a mobile learning platform that delivers personalised, short-form digital education experiences and practice tests, with an AI-enhanced virtual tutoring technology—known as StepWise—providing learners with round-the-clock, affordable access to education.

Benefits

The course content offered by Querium is bespoke, tailored by experts in artificial intelligence, science, and mathematics to offer a learning experience that is as close to the classroom or lecture hall as possible—effectively integrating with existing learning management systems such as Blackboard and Moodle to give instructors full oversight over their students’ learning activities.

Cost

Querium requires organisations to contact them to discuss pricing.

Perfect For

Querium is ideal for organisations with an established learning management system and looking for a STEM-focused educational product that integrates well with this existing LMS.

4. Google Classroom

Google’s Classroom product will be familiar to educators who had to rapidly shift towards remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The software giant’s eLearning platform was designed to be user-friendly for teachers to encourage students to collaborate on their coursework, support learning, and personalise their digital education.

Benefits

Classroom allows educators to utilise existing learning resources such as PDFs to create new, interactive assignments and provide real-time feedback to students. Google has also integrated its AI technologies into its eLearning solutions, meaning that learners can receive individualised feedback and see when their work requires citations to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Alongside these features, Classroom can help students to develop crucial time-management skills through interactive to-do lists and additional productivity tools.

Cost

Google Classroom is free as part of their Google for Education Fundamentals package, whilst enterprise users can pay up to $5.00 per month, per user, for additional resources and integrations.

Perfect For

Google Classroom is ideal for educational institutions looking to trial an eLearning platform with their free Fundamentals package. It integrates well with existing learning management systems, whilst the paid tiers allow for greater numbers of users to tune into live-streamed lectures and lessons.

5. LinkedIn Learning

Learning is LinkedIn’s eLearning platform which aims to offer learners access to the skills they’ll need in the workplace and provides teachers and support staff with the ability to track student outcomes and gain real-time insights into the skills their students are developing. The digital education platform is currently home to 16,000 courses, with industry-expert instructors providing content in several major languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin.

Benefits

Introducing students to LinkedIn at an early stage is beneficial, particularly since ever greater numbers of employers—including 100% of the Fortune 500—are leveraging the platform to seek out candidates for roles at all levels of seniority. Alongside this, educators can upload their own videos and documents to enrich and enhance the courses being studied through LinkedIn’s library, helping to contextualise the knowledge students are receiving.

Cost

LinkedIn Learning costs depend on the number of users, but smaller groups—requiring 20 or fewer licenses—can expect to pay around $380.00 per seat per year.

Perfect For

LinkedIn Learning is ideal for institutions and educators that want to provide learners with in-demand, industry-vetted skills and knowledge. Alongside this, it’s perfect for learners who are aiming to build a personal brand and want to begin building their professional network on the wider LinkedIn platform.

Key Takeaways

Selecting the right eLearning platform for your organisation or institution requires a careful assessment of your specific needs. eLearning companies have demonstrated their importance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the evolution of eLearning solutions means that educators are finding it easier than ever to deliver engaging and productive learning experiences.

These eLearning solutions offer personalised learning and flexible pacing, with tailored content and collaborative environments enabling students to achieve success. Additionally, an eLearning platform can provide educators with the ability to deliver prompt feedback and support to students with data-driven insights into attainment and areas of difficulty.

When evaluating an eLearning platform, it’s important to consider personnel requirements, accessibility needs, and whether they’ll integrate with your current learning management systems. By understanding your organisation’s current situations and anticipated needs, you’ll be able to explore various offerings and begin formulating a digital education strategy that provides staff and students with effective and engaging virtual learning experiences.

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This guide looks closely at precisely why accessibility in eLearning is a vital consideration for designers, developers, educators, and members of the faculty before going into detail on how to make eLearning accessible within the higher education environment.

Alongside this, we’ll offer a robust eLearning accessibility checklist, meaning that you can be confident that you’re catering towards the inclusive learning needs of students across the globe.

Why Accessibility in eLearning is Vital

When it comes to digital education, accessibility to eLearning products is one of the most vital considerations to make. It’s no longer a “nice to have” but a “must-have” requirement, with people with disabilities requiring the same access to educational content as their peers.

In many nations, it’s a legal requirement to provide equal access to educational materials, with Disability Rights laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act prohibiting discrimination of any form in the school system.

Foregrounding accessibility in eLearning discussions means there’s a real potential for emerging technologies to begin overcoming the geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic divides in traditional forms of higher education.

Ensuring that your online courses and educational content are based on the tenets of inclusive learning means that they’ll be flexible and convenient for all students, allowing them to study from home in the case of mobility challenges instead of having to commute to an inaccessible classroom environment. This also enables those students who do not wish to disclose their disability the opportunity to engage with their fellow students in a more comfortable environment.

At the same time, providing better audio and visual quality means that students with hearing and visual impairments can reach a high level of attainment, too.

Meanwhile, asynchronous eLearning tools, such as interactive simulations, pre-recorded videos, and course discussion boards, allow those learners who need to return to information repeatedly the ability to learn according to their own preferences, increasing the likelihood of them succeeding and achieving high marks in their coursework or examinations.

Promoting inclusivity for all students, regardless of their background, is of central concern to those designing and developing the latest eLearning platforms. An inclusive learning environment not only benefits people with disabilities, but a focus on user-friendliness and ease of access leads to a more engaging and effective learning experience for all students.

It’s clear that more work needs to be done, with 60% of educators over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting that students with visual impairments—as well as those with low vision—were unable to access one or more of the digital tools they need to use to complete classwork.

How to Make eLearning Accessible in Higher Education

So, now that we’ve understood why accessibility in eLearning is a crucial consideration for all students, we can answer the question of how to make eLearning accessible in higher education.

You can follow a handful of strategies to ensure that you’re achieving this as an eLearning designer or developer, which we’ll detail in the following section.

1. All Educational Systems Must be Accessible

It’s not much use making your educational content accessible if the systems used to access those materials are difficult to navigate with a screen reader, responsive braille display, or high-contrast screen settings.

The World Wide Web Consortium has authored several guides as part of their Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), providing developers and designers with the tools and techniques they need to create internet-based platforms which are properly designed and coded to allow people with disabilities to use them.

At the same time, free services exist, such as Accessibility Checker, which allows web creators to scan their sites and ensure compliance with various nations’ legislation around inclusivity and discrimination.

2. Offer Captioning for Video and Audio Content

Options abound for the transcription and captioning of video and audio content in the eLearning space, such as Amberscript, which allows educators to contribute to the inclusive learning environment by providing subtitles and audio descriptions of live and pre-recorded content and presentations.

This not only benefits those students with visual impairments but ensures that learners who prefer to read content are catered for, too. These services also support the education of non-native English speakers and those who might find it a challenge to understand spoken language by providing a backup when they aren’t able to understand a lecturer or instructor.

3. Design Accessible Documents

When producing educational materials, educators should utilise accessible document formats such as PDFs to ensure that they follow the correct structure, provide alternative text for images for students using screen readers, and ensure that students can easily navigate all course content.

Ensure that all web-based content leverages the uniform and hierarchical headings that HTML provides, such as using an H1 once on the page for the title, and moving through H2 elements and H3 elements for subtitles, ensuring that learners with visual impairments can navigate the page effectively.

At the same time, you should be writing in plain, clear, and concise language, avoiding complex sentence structures and unnecessary jargon, enabling students with cognitive disabilities and those whose first language is not English to understand the course content more easily.

4. Provide Alternative Formats Where Necessary

If you’re only providing course materials in one format, you’re unnecessarily restricting your content to students who can engage with that format. As a result, you should be ensuring that all content is available in multiple formats—providing the full transcript for videos and presentations, or audio versions of written content, for instance.

By providing multimedia content in this way, you can improve accessibility in eLearning whilst not adding much to the workload of educators or content coordinators since they’re already likely to have scripts or written notes for their presentations and videos.

5. Utilise Accessible Communication Tools to Keep in Touch with Learners

One of the great aspects of eLearning is that students can communicate with one another, building collaboration skills as they solve complex problems together—a crucial skill to develop for the modern workplace.

When designing an inclusive learning environment, it’s prudent to ensure that you’re incorporating screen reader-compatible chat platforms and video-conferencing software that can provide real-time captioning of conversation, which will ensure that students from any background can engage with and learn from their peers in group-based tasks and class discussions.

When aiming for accessibility in eLearning products, it’s always vital to ensure that you’re following the best practices in inclusive instructional design, creating engaging learning experiences for all students. Ensure that navigation is clear and consistent from module to module and course to course, and moreover, ensure that the content is organised and placed on the system logically.

At the same time, it’s important to ensure that staff and faculty are provided with guidance on the best practices in inclusive education. Offer training and resources where necessary to help them implement guidelines for inclusivity in the courses and materials they produce, whether encouraging them to attend workshops and tutorials or providing access to accessibility specialists who can offer detailed, bespoke support for unique challenges

Finally, it’s important to commit to regularly evaluating and updating the accessibility of your inclusive learning environment. Changes made should be based on the continuous monitoring and analysis of user data and feedback from students and educators via audits and surveys. This will help to ensure that your content remains accessible and high-quality well into the future.

eLearning Accessibility Checklist

We’ve provided you with a handy eLearning Accessibility Checklist to ensure that all your content and systems contribute to a comprehensive, inclusive eLearning platform.

General Considerations for Accessibility in eLearning

1. Is an Accessibility Policy in place clearly outlining your commitment to accessibility in eLearning?
2. Are you adhering to the relevant accessibility standards set out by local and international guidelines and laws?
3. Is your inclusive learning environment accessible for those using assistive technologies and keyboard navigation?
4. Is the colour and contrast of your platform suitable for those who struggle to engage with low-contrast materials?
5. Have you provided a way for faculty, educators, and students to be trained and to provide detailed feedback where necessary?
6. Have you involved students with disabilities in testing your platform to identify and address the barriers that stand between them and attainment?
7. Have you included accessibility statements on your eLearning platform, and will you maintain records of any audits and improvements carried out?

Content Creation

• Text Content

1. Does your text use clear and concise language?
2. Is alt-text provided for all images and transcripts, or are closed captions provided for presentations and videos?
3. Have you utilised the proper heading structure for webpages, with H1s for titles, followed by H2s, H3s, and H4s for subtitles?
4. Have you avoided the use of jargon and acronyms without explanation?

• Multimedia

1. Are audio descriptions and alt-text provided for all multimedia that leverages visual elements?
2. Have you ensured that video and multimedia content is playable and navigable with a screen reader?

• Documents

1. Have you utilised an accessible document format, such as a well-structured and correctly set-up PDF?
2. Do you have alternative versions for these PDFs, using audio or visuals instead of text?

Interactive Elements and Assessments

• Interactive Elements

1. Are all buttons, links, and forms clearly marked up with labels, making them accessible to those using screen readers?
2. Have you incorporated keyboard focus indicators?

• Assessments

1. Have you ensured that your assessments are following the best practices for accessibility in eLearning, such as allowing for extended time or alternative question types?
2. Have these accommodations been clearly communicated to students with disabilities?

Course Design

• Layout

1. Is all course content laid out and structured logically, with a clear hierarchy of information?
2. Are all navigation menus and layouts consistent across multiple modules and courses?

• Flexibility

1. Do you allow students flexibility in accessing and engaging with the content on your eLearning platform, with alternative course materials and downloadables in multiple formats?

Key Takeaways

The importance of accessibility in eLearning for higher education can’t be overstated. With a significant portion of students disclosing disabilities, it’s clear that providing an inclusive learning environment is not just an ethical concern but a legal one too, as mandated by disability rights laws.

Accessibility not only bridges geographic and socioeconomic divides but also empowers students to learn at their own pace and in comfortable settings, fostering better engagement and achievement.

The strategies outlined in this guide, from designing accessible documents to ensuring that communication tools are able to be effectively used by those with screen readers, serve as a comprehensive roadmap for ensuring that accessibility in eLearning is at the forefront of your design and development process for any platform.

A continuous commitment to monitoring, feedback, and improvement ensures that all institutions can uphold their promise of equal opportunities for all students, creating a brighter and more inclusive future for digital education.

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With the gamification market anticipated to reach a global value of $30.7bn by 2025, it’s clear that this area of eLearning continues to evolve and ensure that trainees and students everywhere can benefit from captivating academic opportunities.

This guide will take a closer look at this fertile area of research and development, answering the question of “what is gamification in eLearning?” and providing some real-world gamification examples that are in use in 2023. After this, we’ll explore how to use gamification in eLearning, noting the benefits of gamification in eLearning for the higher education sector. Before we close, we’ll highlight some developments coming in the not-too-far-away future for eLearning gamification.

What is Gamification in eLearning

So, what is gamification in eLearning? With the rise and continued popularity of eLearning gamification, multiple examples exist across the broad range of learning management systems and online platforms that students utilise on a daily basis, including:

• Quizzes
• Interactive Video Content
• Simulations
• Leaderboards
• Games

Various game design techniques and principles are drawn upon to enhance the interactivity and relevance of the various gamification examples in higher education. From personalisation, which allows learners to tailor their experiences to their unique needs, to the utilisation of narrative, whereby a story or scenario is created which can contextualise the concept being studied, the creators of this software ensure that students encounter meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.

Whilst not all gamification examples are alike, the developer and designers’ aims remain the same: providing learners with an engaging, motivational, and—most importantly—interactive experience.

The Benefits of Gamification in eLearning

The benefits of gamification in eLearning are numerous, especially within the higher education environment, where students will begin to encounter increasingly complex topics and issues alongside an increased need for self-directed study.

By encouraging students to take an active role in their educational experiences, eLearning allows educators to encourage accountability in the academic environment, with students able to track their progress and action feedback rapidly, rather than waiting for marks to come back from class teachers. This promotes a mindset that lends itself well to not only the higher education environment but the workplace, too. Learners should set their own goals and keep track of progress, setting them in good stead when they begin or continue their careers.

eLearning gamification is linked to a significant enhancement of student productivity, with recent data noting a 50% improvement in the amount of work students complete during study periods.

By making the learning experience more fun, students and educators generally report higher levels of knowledge retention, too. Leaderboards, achievements, and other methods which encourage students to regularly return to maintain their position encourage the reinforcement of the concepts and problems being studied, helping them to understand information on a deeper level.

A 2021 study detailing empirical evidence of the benefits of gamification in eLearning—particularly as it applies to the higher education sector—saw researchers reporting that gamification supports the development of skills needed within the current workplace. Competencies such as collaboration, active listening ability, and the practical application of knowledge were strengthened. At the same time, gamification also caters to students’ interests and increases the satisfaction they gain from the educational experience.

Real-World Gamification Examples

Now that we understand enough to answer the question of “What is gamification in eLearning?”, we can explore some real-world gamification examples that have shown success in higher education.

1. Scavify

Scavify is the self-professed “most interactive scavenger hunt app in the world.” The organisation’s app encourages users to complete challenges and track their progress, earning rewards and enabling educators to track students’ progress.

It’s found success in helping new arrivals and prospective students navigate campus spaces and motivating learners to interact with the range of events on offer across an institution’s footprint.

Within higher education, it’s helping students and academic staff to better orient themselves when they’re new to the environment, reducing the risk of attrition, encouraging social interaction between learners, and helping to share the often unique culture that each academic institution possesses.

2. Habitica

With an approach that seeks to gamify the everyday responsibilities that learners possess, Habitica acts as a role-playing game which aims to improve learners’ daily tasks—reinforcing positive progress learners have made towards their goals through the rewarding of wearable “gear” that they can kit their in-game avatars out with.

Like many role-playing games, Habitica encourages its users to play together and share the eLearning experience with built-in mechanisms for friendly competition and collaboration. Students are inspired to gain more points and increase the strength of their characters to defeat in-game monsters. These creatures stand in for the tasks they need to complete that day—since letting themselves down also lets their team down.

3. Edpuzzle

Edpuzzle is unique in this list of gamification examples due to its focus on interactive video content—with a strong emphasis on self-paced, visual, and bite-sized experiences. Educators can create their own videos and insert multiple-answer and open-ended questions at any point in the timeline, enabling students to receive immediate feedback on the areas that require more work.

At the same time, teaching and administration staff are empowered by a suite of data analytics software, which details everything from attainment, the number of correct responses offered to questions, to the number of times a student watched each section. This means that content can be refined if many class members are repeatedly returning to the same part of a video.

4. Kahoot!

An eLearning gamification tool that seeks to enhance the experience of utilising flashcards and study groups to enhance revision, Kahoot! is becoming increasingly popular within higher education. It helps students refresh their knowledge on the go through dedicated mobile and desktop applications.

When it comes to collaboration, Kahoot! also encourages students to create engaging and enticing presentations for their classmates, enabling them to create gameshow-like experiences within the higher education environment. Learners are able to challenge one another through daily and weekly learning tasks.

5. Quizlet

Offering an excellent example of how to use gamification in eLearning, Quizlet combines aspects of note-taking apps, an AI tutor, and practice tests to help students rapidly create flashcards and outlines. This enables them to retain more information and effectively prepare for examinations.

Alongside this suite of AI-enhanced tools, Quizlet utilises a library of academic textbooks to enable students to quickly search for answers to even the most complex questions, from chemistry to physics and business to engineering.

This is just a small selection of the eLearning gamification examples that are available to educators—with many others supporting students to study everything from touch-typing to the study of languages and programming.

It’s clear that the benefits of gamification in eLearning are only just starting to be realised, and we’ll soon discuss the future of eLearning gamification within the higher education environment. Before that, though, we’ll discuss how you can begin to incorporate gamification into the pedagogical approach, using it to support and enhance traditional, classroom-based learning experiences.

How to Use Gamification in eLearning

eLearning gamification can be a useful way for educational organisations to begin enhancing their traditional, classroom-based activities with concepts and methodologies drawn from game design. As we’ve already seen, a robust body of evidence highlights the benefits of gamification in E-Learning, from improving engagement and attainment to inspiring students to take ownership and accountability for their own educational experiences.

So, what should educators do to enhance their understanding of how to use gamification in eLearning?

Consider Friendly Competition

Whether it’s achievements, points which enable them to move up a leaderboard, badges, or rewards, friendly competition can help engage students and motivate them to spend additional time studying outside the seminar room or lecture hall.

Many of the gamification examples that we explored allow educators to create assignments or quizzes that will then be embedded within the content they provide to learners. Alongside offering badges or achievements for reaching certain milestones—such as a specific amount of time spent studying—eLearning gamification can ensure that students are preparing for critical exams or coursework.

Interactivity is Vital

Whether it’s chemistry, physics, geometry, or engineering, providing learners with interactive simulations and video content can help to contextualise the often complex concepts they’ll encounter.

Even within the humanities and social sciences, where much of what is studied will be based on existing literature, providing interactive timelines with a rich range of information for students can help them to remember the key dates of historical events, for instance.

Enable Students to Track Their Own Progress

Part of encouraging students to take ownership of their own studies and attainment is giving them a robust way to monitor their growth and evaluate feedback. This enables them to recognise their strengths and weaknesses and focus their studies on areas that require improvement.

Whether it’s a progress bar that shows them how much content is left before they can take a break, or a dashboard that illustrates all of their scores across multiple courses, tracking progress is an important but often forgotten aspect of self-improvement and motivation that we obfuscate at our own risk.

Use Games Within the Traditional Learning Environment

eLearning gamification doesn’t just need to be relegated to the revision session or students’ self-directed work—it can also help to make classroom-based sessions more interactive, engaging, and collaborative.

Of course, a clear example is the use of points-based systems to reward correct answers to specific questions, which tie into students’ personal accounts on eLearning gamification platforms. Aside from this, however, there are plenty of uses for the technologies in our list of gamification examples that can be used to incentivise discussion and participating in group-based tasks, such as Habitica’s take on the roleplaying game “party” system, in which learners are motivated to perform well to prevent harming the rest of their group.

The Future of elearning Gamification in Higher Education

Now that we’ve answered the question of how to use gamification in eLearning to enhance traditional, classroom-based approaches to study, we can look in a bit more detail at the future of eLearning gamification. What are the technologies, platforms, and approaches that are inspiring the next generation of eLearning gamification designers and developers as they produce the tools that will continue to enhance pedagogy?

1. Increasing Personalisation

Personalised approaches to education will continue to play a major role in eLearning gamification as we move further into the decade. As designers and developers leverage AI, data analytics, and mobile learning, they will be increasingly able to tailor content to learners’ individual needs and preferences—whether they attain more with text-based or visually-focused approaches to study.

This will help students take greater ownership of their attainment, incentivising them to control the pace of their revision and work and providing immediate feedback on progress, which can be utilised to tailor the content they’ll receive in later courses and modules.

2. Virtual Reality

Providing truly immersive, visually stunning experiences, the potential of virtual reality (VR) is being quickly realised within the higher education environment. VR-focused eLearning organisations note the potential of the technology to drive attainment and diversity within higher education, with Arizona State University’s partnership with augmented reality/virtual reality firm Dreamscape showing that students who utilise VR in the learning environment earn higher grades.

When it comes to eLearning gamification, educators will be able to bring subjects to life. Engineering students are able to stress-test building, automotive, and aerospace designs in a risk-free environment, chemistry students are able to explore complex 3D renderings of molecules, and mathematics students are able to visualise the complex geometries they’re working with.

3. An Emphasis on Micro-Learning

Whether you’re a student or a teacher, everyone is leading a busier life nowadays. As a result, a major focus of eLearning gamification over the last few years has been the increased breaking-down of complex concepts and course materials into bite-sized, easily digested and retained micro-learning experiences.

As learners become increasingly mobile, micro-learning allows educators to connect with their students and deliver modules on the go, with gamification tools incentivising students to revise and complete assigned tasks on the way to and from other engagements.

With the rapid cadence of technological advancement, it’s clear that the question of “what is gamification in eLearning” will need to be revisited multiple times before the close of the 2020s—a future we’re all too excited to be a part of. The benefits of gamification in E-Learning continue to prove themselves, with a broad range of empirical studies validating our understanding that interactivity and game design elements help to enhance the rate of student success within the higher education environment.

Key Takeaways

The rise of eLearning gamification in higher education is a significant and promising development. With increasing numbers of students finding gamified learning experiences more engaging and motivating, the gamification market is projected to reach and enhance the studies of ever-greater numbers. This trend is here to stay—and evolve.

Through various real-world gamification examples, such as Scavify, Habitica, Edpuzzle, Kahoot!, and Quizlet, educators are witnessing tangible benefits, with these platforms helping to improve student productivity, knowledge-retention, and skills development. These outcomes not only benefit learners in their academic careers but also prepare them for success in the workplace.

Furthermore, incorporating gamification into eLearning can promote friendly competition, interactivity, and the self-tracking of progress, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability amongst learners and providing educators with the potential to transform traditional, classroom-based courses into more engaging and collaborative experiences.

Looking ahead, the future of eLearning gamification holds a range of exciting prospects. Personalisation, virtual reality, and micro-learning are poised to reshape the landscape, enabling tailored educational experiences, immersive learning opportunities, and on-the-go access to bite-sized content.

As these technologies and platforms continue to advance, the benefits of gamification in eLearning will persist, supporting student success in higher education well into the 2020s and beyond.

Sourcing Specialists in eLearning Gamification

Instinct Resourcing has recruited experts in eLearning gamification for over a decade. Our specialist consultants are proud to champion the sector, providing the time-served expertise you need to source and retain candidates for your vacant virtual learning and LMS roles.

If you’d like to learn more, get in touch with us today for a conversation about your requirements.