This might be a fair question to raise in the wake of a recent report by Ambient Insight, which predicts a shrinking self-paced e-learning market and declining revenues in most of the markets around the world. Based on its analysis, this market research firm will no longer be publishing any more commercial syndicated market reports for this market segment.
This may be alarming to anyone interested in entering the self-directed learning market or the e-learning market. It is important to understand however, that Ambient Insight defines eLearning as self-paced courseware products (i.e. off the shelf content, learning management systems [LMS], and services). In essence, they argue the market for LMSs is declining in terms of venture opportunities all over the world.
But does that actually mean that self-directed learning is in decline?
No. Quite the contrary, according to Scott McLeod of bigthink.com – he sees the future of education involving even more SDL and inquiry-based learning, and much more online content. Ambient Insight’s report simply seems to highlight a major shift in the self-paced education market. This evolution is illustrated in a statement by one L&D professional cited in the Learning Insights Report released by Kineo:
“The internet has radically changed learning provision (…) In the old days L&D professionals would engage designers or buy in material. The internet has made free content and research so available that it’s easy to design courses in house now.”
Clearly, the availability of free content and open educational resources (OERs) has reduced the need for some services. Additionally, the method of delivery is changing, with learners and corporations moving toward more effective knowledge transfer methods, such as Game-based Learning, Simulation-based Learning, and Cognitive Learning products.
Thus, self-paced learning and self-directed learning are alive and well, but the market in which they exist is changing. And with rapid change comes opportunity.