The predictions for the online course industry mostly excite me, but some kind of freak me out. For example, having an AI version of me as a coach available to my students 24/7 is exciting… but also a little creepy. I mean, what would a drunk person ask AI me at 3 AM, and how would she respond? I don’t know, but I kind of want to find out!
First, let’s explore a few ways the online course experience is changing for both students and teachers. Then, I’ll share my thoughts on trends related to the course material itself.
You can watch the full video below or keep reading the post to find out more:
AI Personalisation for Students
Arguably, the biggest issue with the traditional education system for kids is the one-size-fits-all approach in classrooms filled with 30 unique brains, each with different learning needs. Despite knowing this, we still apply the same approach in online courses aimed at adults. In a pre-recorded, one-to-many learning environment, it’s challenging to offer a personalised experience tailored to each student’s needs. However, I predict this will change.
Platforms are already experimenting with AI-powered custom learning experiences. Imagine a learning path shaped by student actions, similar to how Bear Grylls could either drink his own pee or eat a worm on a Netflix show, depending on the button you pressed on your remote. Okay, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but you get the point!
While we’re not fully there yet, eLearning platforms like Xperiencify are personalising the student experience by incorporating students’ names throughout lessons, sending reminders based on their actions (or lack thereof), and offering access to additional learning materials as they complete tasks and earn points.
Gamify Everything!
Continuing with Xperiencify, students can earn badges, rank on leaderboards, receive certificates, and much more. Skillshare also has engagement badges for actions students take, like submitting projects. Platforms like Skool are leveraging points, levels, and leaderboards to boost member engagement. Platforms that embrace gamification are standing out, while those that don’t are quickly falling behind. My prediction? We’ll see a lot more of this in the future!
Will AI Replace Course Creators?
Now, what about course creation itself? Will ChatGPT just replace us all? I predict it’ll actually go the other way. While this space will undoubtedly be flooded with mediocre AI-generated online courses, production quality will rise to the top.
I’ve seen this trend in my own courses. Skillshare has a fantastic catalogue of professionally produced courses, and its pay-per-minute-watched revenue model makes it critical that video quality isn’t an afterthought. In contrast, while I teach on Udemy as well, I’ve found that many courses lack production quality. What this means is that those who put effort into crafting captivating content stand out. Students prioritize production quality, which can even help compensate for a teacher’s inexperience. High-quality videos lead us to perceive the instructor as more experienced and successful than they may actually be. Ideally, you’d want both experience and quality, but for brand-new teachers, this is great news!
AI-Powered Tools for Course Creators
AI will assist rather than hinder us as course creators. For instance, Thinkific’s AI Course Outline Generator can help you craft the perfect outline. Tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can assist in creating catchy course titles, while platforms like Descript can automatically cut out filler words, silence, and even correct your audio. Their overdub feature allows an AI version of your voice to speak what you meant to say, making it easier to collaborate with team members who can manipulate your course using your voice without you needing to record anything.
You could even go a step further and create an AI version of yourself through a platform like CoachVox. This tool lets you upload all your videos, podcasts, interviews, blog posts, and other content to create an AI version of you that can coach students, answer questions from your team, and nurture leads 24/7, all while you sleep. Freaky? Yes. But also incredibly cool!
The Rise of Microlearning
With the prevalence of Reels, TikToks, and Shorts, shorter courses that can be binged in an afternoon will become more popular. Platforms like Skillshare are already capitalising on this trend, requiring a minimum class length of 10 minutes—essentially the average length of a YouTube video. This model allows you to turn an average YouTube video into an online course that generates income on autopilot.
A few years ago, there were talks of YouTube launching its own paid online course platform. While I’m unsure of the current status, I believe it’ll resurface, catering to both longer-form content and Shorts, allowing individuals to teach courses through micro-lessons in a bingeable series.
Opportunities in Course Content
As for the content within online courses, I foresee that larger businesses will continue to invest in upskilling their teams. This leads to a significant opportunity in soft skill development. While perhaps not as exciting as AI, these skills are arguably more crucial because they can’t be replicated by AI—at least, not yet.
Google discovered that the top seven skills for success at their company are all “soft skills.” The best companies prioritize hiring based on soft skill mastery over technical skills, as it’s generally easier to teach someone how to run an Instagram Ads campaign than to cultivate qualities like collaboration and empathy. According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, 89% of recruiters say that when a hire doesn’t work out, it’s usually due to a lack of soft skills. This makes sense, as skills like resilience and curiosity are essential for personal growth and long-term job satisfaction. Additionally, soft skills are highly transferable across roles and companies, making them vital for remote work. Therefore, courses that incorporate soft skill development—and effectively market these elements—are likely to outperform those that don’t.
Embracing the Future of eLearning
There are incredible changes already occurring in the eLearning space, with many more on the horizon. It’s an exciting time to enter the world of online teaching. For years, I’ve told people that “unless you’re an actual heart surgeon,” you can teach an online course about what you know. But it seems I may need to reconsider my example, as even heart surgeons are using online learning for skill development thanks to Virtual Reality (VR).
However, let me be clear: No one—absolutely NO ONE—should be allowed to continue using slide decks that resemble outdated PowerPoint presentations from the early 2000s. The future is bright. With AI tools at our disposal, we can elevate our slides from drab to dazzling, leaving no excuse for uninspiring visuals in online courses.
To help you get started, I’ve created a free template along with a quick training session that will guide you in crafting your slide deck, complete with your own brand colours, fonts, and images. I’ll also show you how to leverage free AI tools to breathe life into your slides.
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