As technology continues to evolve, there’s no doubt that learning needs to evolve alongside it. Upcoming trends and technological developments like artificial intelligence are already upending the way we teach and learn. 

Thus, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest insights and trends in education and technology. Our latest buyer’s guide offers interesting perspectives on the future of learning.

Below are five key insights that will have a big impact on the way we approach education in the future. 

1. Data as a key facilitator in campus processes

Recent years have seen educational institutions inundated with more data than ever. The problem is that with so much data now available, many simply don’t know what to do with it. Yet data is crucial to informed decision-making and reporting. 

Fortunately, learning management systems (LMS) today are an invaluable source of data. An LMS provides inline insights relevant to students, faculty, and administrators alike. These insights tell you everything from how students are performing in their respective classes to how much time educators spend using an LMS. 

But insights gleaned from an LMS can also inform an entire institutional strategy. For example, an LMS can collect data on campus demographics and even students’ preferred learning methods. These are key insights that can drive decisions on remote learning policies, campus budgeting, support services, and so much more. 

Educational institutions must be ready to use data beyond the classroom to keep up with the future of learning. 

2. The rise of skills-based learning

Today’s employers want graduates who can be productive right away. Thus, the traditional model of education, which focused primarily on memorization and standardized testing, is being replaced by a more skills-based approach. 

LMS technology must keep up with the rise of skills-based learning. Today’s LMS must have engaging and dynamic lessons, innovative assessment options, and increased flexibility for instructors. Instructors should be given the freedom to be flexible with course, lesson, and assessment designs to provide a learning experience that feels truly dynamic. 

Finally, an LMS should also be built to foster teamwork and collaboration, a skill that employees value. 

3. Use of simpler, streamlined tech stacks

Complex systems and interfaces can be a barrier to learning, so schools are looking for tech solutions that are user-friendly and meet a wide range of needs. This stands in contrast to the past, when campuses used different applications that only had specific uses and did not fit in with the rest of their tech stack.

An LMS should easily meet all the needs of the faculty. This means it should be easy and intuitive for an instructor to create engaging lessons within an LMS. Additionally, an LMS should be helpful in transitioning to using new technologies such as AI-assisted analyses or AR/VR experiences. 

4. The permanence of hybrid learning

Even as campuses reopened and students streamed back into the classroom, online classes still continued. This is because hybrid learning offers flexibility and the ability to reach students who may not be able to attend in-person classes. As such, hybrid learning is likely to remain a permanent part of the education landscape. 

Key statistics from the buyer’s guide point out that 30% of four-year students already consider hybrid learning their preferred modality. 73% of teachers say blended learning increases engagement. And 43% of administrators say they will continue to offer both remote and online format options for students in the future. 

Future instructors and their LMS will have to be accommodating of hybrid learning. Lessons and assessments will have to be done both online and offline. 

5. Tech as a tool for inclusivity

As tech takes a bigger role in education, it will also have to work to create a safe and inclusive atmosphere for students. 

In the future, learning management systems must foster collaboration between students, teachers, and other educational stakeholders. This can be done by introducing easy mechanisms for feedback or by inserting tools that make it easy to work with instructors. The point here is to create a learning community where everyone’s voice matters.

Overall, the five insights from the buyer’s guide provide a picture of a future in which inclusivity, simplified tech stacks, skills-based learning, data, and hybrid learning are all significant elements of the educational environment. More than anything else, these insights show us how using an LMS can truly unlock boundless potential.