Anna Sinyatkina

E-learning isn’t just the “alternative” anymore. It’s now the main stage! E-learning offers invaluable flexibility and accessibility; it provides new ways for learners to grow their skills, achieve career goals, or increase engagement within the organization. By 2025, the global e-learning market is set to reach the $325 billion mark, and its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is more than 10%.

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed digital transformation. Since then, educational institutions and corporate training providers have turned massively towards online solutions. The learning experience has already changed for professionals and continues to change. So, what awaits us in the coming year?

AI can be great for reducing the costs of creating, localising and personalising educational content. How? Read here in more detail. However the critical component of AI implementation in the adaptive e-learning landscape seems to be combining artificial intelligence and machine learning. Instead of simply recommending content or grading assignments, AI systems will act as proactive mentors, using advanced predictive analytics to anticipate learner needs.

Personalised learning isn’t, of course, a fresh idea, but this e-learning trend will only develop further. If you want to know how exactly adaptive learning technology can improve the learning experience, please read our article on the subject. For this, one will need a Learning Management System (LMS) with adaptive learning features. It can be Seturon, which monitors progress and adjusts in real-time to match learner needs.

2025 will see adaptive systems becoming more sensitive to the actual context of a learning process. Platforms will not just react to how students perform but consider external factors like learning environments, time of day, or even mood to adjust delivery styles.

The area of gamified learning is expanding rapidly – the annual trend growth rate is 28.58%. Over 500 companies with 17K employees added at least 2K new roles last year. Gamification in e-learning uses adaptive features to address diverse learning styles, incorporating game elements such as rewards, challenges, and leaderboards.
2025 will bring a student closer to reality – literally. The new e-learning trend is to tie experiences directly into real-world applications and outcomes.

Recent studies show that gamification elements need to be applied in a controlled manner, have clear targets, and be easily understandable to contribute positively to the motivation and user experience of the learners. 2025 gamification will feel less like “playing a game” and more like preparing for real-world success in a truly engaging way.

Extended Reality (XR) technologies comprise Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). It seems, that in 2025, thanks to decreasing costs and increasing access, they will go mainstream.

Your phone goes everywhere with you, and it means you cannot escape the possibility of learning. Mobile learning naturally incorporates microlearning principles of short, bite-sized lessons designed for quick consumption which are ideal for people who are always busy. But technology allows us to have more than just a portable version of web-based platforms. Mobile-first designs can specifically leverage smartphone capabilities. For Seturon, for example, it is one of the platform’s key advantages.

As EdTech starts to utilise more and more insights from cognitive science, the non-stop gamification trend starts to broaden, encompassing socio-emotional learning (SEL). SEL components can promote self-regulation, empathy, and resilience, which are essential for holistic educational outcomes.

Traditional gamification rewards task completion, and SEL platforms reward behavioural growth. Imagine a student who demonstrates patience during a group activity or shows resilience after a setback and then gets a nuanced response about it. AI systems can evaluate your performance and provide tips for creativity, persistence, or reflective thinking.

Data is everything. This is how the platform tracks your progress, highlights your strengths, and points out where you might need a little extra help. One top e-learning trend now is that analytics tools are evolving from descriptive to prescriptive, actively recommending steps for improvement based on learner data.

Platforms now won’t just tell educators what’s happening – they can suggest specific actions to improve outcomes. It is those tools that allow students and teachers to receive tailored recommendations, powered by AI, on how to adjust their learning strategies.

Inclusivity remains a top priority for e-learning platforms – and will remain for long. There is a lot of space to grow there! Features such as text-to-speech, closed captions, and adjustable font sizes help learners with diverse needs. Interfaces are going to become more customisable than ever.

Not only is it important to give learners more control over font sizes, colour contrasts, and layouts. Students with physical disabilities need hands-free, voice-controlled platform navigation. And AI can provide real-time translation tools to break down language barriers.