The future of education is short

Our society is constantly changing, so is the nature of learning and teaching in the course of digitalisation.

We are bombarded with new information every day. Access to information and global experts is easier, and it surely has an impact on the way we learn and consume information.

As the amount of information we absorb grows exponentially, it’s only natural that we look for ways to distill and curate available knowledge so that it may be more easily digested.

Shrinking attention span

The future of training faces a growing problem: the learners’ ever-shrinking attention span and constantly divided attention.

Technology has constantly flooded us with information from multiple channels and devices. We now have the opportunity to access an online class and still keep up with our social presences and daily work.

It’s not surprising that most learners now juggle inbound messages on laptops, instant messaging service, and working apps – all while checking their smartphones for social media updates and personal emails.

Once we’re in a face-to-face class or sit down for an online training session, it is easier than ever to become quickly distracted. As a result, many learners (and trainers) find hours of presentations and long-term courses too dense and drawn out for effective learning.

Busy, time-pressurised learners

While social media and technology play an essential role in this shift, it’s not to blame.

Many learners are taking training courses while struggling to manage high-stress, full-time jobs. Some of them even have a family with young children and strolling around with their packed work schedules and hectic daily plans.

Busy work schedules, bustling mobile lives, and a lengthy, exhausting to-do list may prevent adult learners from maintaining their learning. It’s very likely for a worn-out person to quit a long-term course when their lives become overwhelmed.

Today, thanks to the rise and advancement of short courses, busy learners can now further their education and develop new skill sets in a timely manner.

Personalised, tailored learning path

In traditional long-term training, learners often have little or no control over the topic covered and their learning path. In today’s age of customisation, learners are looking more and more for educational paths which can be tailored to their specific needs.

With the boom of short courses in recent years, modern learners can easily find and consume knowledge that is specifically relevant to their desired outcome.

It’s a relief for everyone who no longer wants to be bored with tedious modules or feels frustrated by irrelevant content in class.

Short, manageable learning courses with tailored training pathways, allow learners to develop a necessary skill set more quickly and efficiently.

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Advancement in technology, short attention span, time-poor learners and unique workplace skill requirements  appear to be the main reasons for the spiking rate of short courses over the last decade.

Short training courses are an excellent choice for learners who want to concentrate on what they need without wasting time on the skills they don’t necessarily have to learn.

While there’ll still be a need for more complex training courses and programs, it’s clear that short training packages provide a wide range of valuable skill sets for people who have a busy life and a focused goal.