eLearning Statistics: Knowledge Is Now Online

You no longer have to sit in a stuffy room with dozens of other people to learn something. Digital technology has made huge leaps forward and enabled us to move our education online. Everything you used to do in a classroom can now be done through your computer, tablet, or mobile phone, and you can do it anytime, anywhere.

Our eLearning statistics will show you just how successful this industry has become. To understand more about digital classes and how they will affect education, just keep reading.

General eLearning Stats

1. The global eLearning market was worth $107 billion in 2015.

(Varsita)

Global eLearning industry statistics were impressive even back in 2015. Companies immediately saw the benefits of educating a large number of people at a low cost. Anyone with a good Wi-Fi connection can now access online material and use it to supplement their traditional classes, or finish entire courses without ever leaving their house. Online enrollments are easy, affordable, and they make education accessible to disadvantaged families.

2. The value of the global eLearning market will rise to $406 billion by 2024.

(Strategyr)

Each year, the value of the eLearning market skyrockets. Digital learning statistics show that by 2024, the market will balloon to $406 billion as more and more online students embrace the ease of digital classes. Udemy, one of the world's leading eLearning websites boasts more than 45.000 courses in its library. Today’s eLearning is a lot more advanced than it was several years ago. Companies now seek to improve user experience and create intuitive, colorful interfaces that make learning more engaging.

3. The self-paced eLearning market will decline to $33.5 billion by 2021.

(Brandon Hall)

In theory, self-paced learning is a great idea — you create your own curriculum, you schedule your own learning time, and you take tests whenever you feel ready. However, statistics on online learning show that the popularity of self-paced programs is declining slowly. In reality, this kind of approach is very difficult to stick to. It requires learners to rely mostly on themselves to make progress, and it doesn’t hold them accountable if their learning pace is too sluggish.

Instead of self-paced programs, which are difficult to commit to, learners now prefer a little more responsibility. Deadlines, open communication with instructors, and clear consequences for a lesson not learned well can actually provide the needed incentive, especially when it comes to e learning for students. A certain balance seems to be crucial when creating an effective curriculum. When the flexibility of digital learning is combined with the helpfulness of an online tutor and deadlines to keep students in check, material can easily be learned.

4. 77% of US companies used online learning in 2017.

(Design Digitally)

Statistics on eLearning show us just how popular digital methods are becoming. Companies that invest in employee training are shifting their focus away from traditional methods of learning to e-methods because it’s faster and more cost-effective. It simply makes sense to invest in online tutorials; they allow companies to teach more people the necessary skills to advance and become better at their jobs more quickly and for a fraction of the cost.

5. The mobile learning market is estimated to grow to $38 billion in 2020.

(Docebo)

Mobile learning statistics indicate that not only is learning becoming digital; it’s also going mobile. Users want quick and easy access to their classes when they’re on the go because this enables them to easily fit any kind of lesson into their busy schedules. Phones have become an essential part of our daily lives, so it’s no wonder we want to find new ways to bring learning closer to our favorite digital devices. In fact, according to our latest mobile vs desktop usage statistics, Mobile device traffic accounts for over half (51.51%) of global online traffic.

6. The eLearning industry has grown by 900% over the last 18 years.

(SmallBizTrends)

Since the early 2000s, the eLearning industry has expanded nine times its original size. eLearning and cultural change statistics show us that this is now the new norm. While traditional learning still has a place and will always be an integral part of our lives, the head-spinning pace of the world we live in requires us to think of faster solutions to everyday challenges. Of course, eLearning tech and digital solutions are there to smooth the process.

7. Almost 60% of eLearning companies feel the online program marketplace is now “much more competitive” than it was five years ago.

(Learning House and Aslanian Market Research)

Now that everyone is adopting digital solutions, the eLearning market is becoming incredibly competitive. Companies that deal in this field say that they have to keep thinking of new solutions to please the consumers and come out on top. To beat the competition, firms will have to keep figuring out better ways to make their online courses more approachable to the average consumer.

8. Google itself has used the benefits of LMS platforms to enroll 80,000 of its employees in Udacity’s HTML5 course.

(Extension Engine)

To further demonstrate the rise in eLearning, statistics show us that even Google’s management team is using it to train its employees. There’s no better way to ensure such a huge number of employees learn the needed skills than by making training easily available to all of them. Companies can use these kinds of platforms for affordable workforce training that will have a good return on investment in the future.

9. IBM has saved approximately $200 million since switching to eLearning.

(SH!FT)

Some more statistics on corporate eLearning effectiveness reveal that big companies such as IBM keep generating insane profits not just through investments, but through cutting costs. IBM is rich enough to be Batman, so relying on this company’s business sense isn’t a bad idea.

LMS: Learning Management Systems - Statistics on Training Online

10. The LMS market is expected to grow to $22.4 billion - more than double its 2019 value - by 2023.

(Markets and Markets)

From $9.2 billion in 2018 to $22.4 billion in 2023 — the jump is huge. Learning management systems are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rage of 19.6%, and digital learning systems are mostly to thank for this. Online learning trends also lean towards “bring your own device” (BYOD) and enterprise mobility, and online college statistics show that most successful universities now aim to make their own LMS so they can provide online tutoring. Government initiatives to turn everything digital, the rise of artificial intelligence, and machine learning are all contributing to the growing trend of digital classes in academic and corporate settings.

11. The e-learning market is more than 21 years old.

(SH!FT)

Although the market is more than 2 decades old, not everyone is on board with e-Learning just yet. Despite the positive eLearning market statistics, a lot of companies still struggle to explain to shareholders why their training programs need to go digital.

E-learning for companies is a great way for them to save money, so what’s the deal with stubborn shareholders? Simply put, it’s difficult to measure the impact of learning effectively. Only 14% of learning specialists feel they are measuring the impacts accurately, while 33% admit that they don’t measure progress at all.

To understand and prove the benefits of online learning, companies need to start measuring the results. As explained in online education articles such as this one, there are four things to measure: the impact the classes have on the learner, how much it increases their skill, how the new skill is applied, and what kind of impact it has on the business overall.

12. 38% of learning and development teams say there is much more pressure in 2019 to measure learning than in 2018.

(LEOlearning.com)

When it comes to training and eLearning statistics, here’s yet another one that shows companies want to measure the business impact of digital learning, and they believe it’s entirely possible to accomplish this. Learning and development specialists need to follow online education trends and find new ways to assess the effectiveness of these classes.

13. While 96% of learning and development specialists want to measure the impact of online learning, only 22% of them make an effort to improve data collection about online learning.

(Raconteur)

These learning stats about online classes show us that most learning and development teams want to measure everything about eLearning, but only half know where to start. As mentioned before, it’s important to test everything from employee responses and increases in skill level to the way it affects the company in the long run. Learning retention statistics indicate that the ROI is certainly worth the effort.

14. 52% of LMS platform users say the lack of ability to integrate with other digital systems is a barrier to satisfaction.

(Docebo)

The current statistics on eLearning give us a clue about how eLearning platforms could be made better. More than half of users feel that the biggest barrier to using LMS platforms is their inability to integrate with other systems, and 51% say that it’s bad user experience that turns them away. The lack of good analytics tools is another issue, as well as the cost of installing this kind of technology. As training industry trends shift and change, eLearning companies will have to find better ways to keep users engaged and offer them a seamless experience.

15. 24% of LMS platform users are not satisfied with LMS platforms that have limited or no mobile capabilities at all.

(Docebo)

This is a big issue in the e learning industry. Online education enrollment statistics show that mobile optimization is crucial. While most eLearning platform companies understand the necessity of providing a good user experience on mobile devices, there are plenty of those that need to adjust their interfaces and make them smoother and easier to use on handheld devices.

Benefits of eLearning

16. 43% of students find online learning platforms very useful when doing homework.

(Statista)

Education stats worldwide all indicate the same thing — students are starting to rely on online classes. Institutions such as the University of Florida have already made most of their coursework available online, so students can now use UF online courses and the UF eLearning website to access additional material and use it to help them finish their homework.

17. 36% of students say digital learning platforms are useful for organizing their schedule.

(Statista)

The growth of online education statistics show us that there’s more than one benefit to digital classes. Since they are easily accessible at any place and any time, students can enroll in online classes whenever they need to and finish courses at their leisure.

18. 81% of students say that online learning has helped them improve their grades.

(Statista)

eLearning grade statistics are giving students something to look forward to: better grades. Considering how many students take online courses, it’s good to know that the majority truly benefit from digital learning. Online classes let students finish material at their own pace and keep coming back to old lessons until they’ve fully understood them.

19. eLearning may boost knowledge retention by an impressive 25-60%.

(Brandon Hall)

eLearning language statistics and eLearning online vs traditional education statistics show that digital classes beat traditional classes by far when it comes to knowledge retention. This makes sense — not only can you repeat the lessons to your heart’s content, but they’ll also be available on any device, at any time of the day. Platforms like certifyme.net enable you to enroll in online courses and learn in the peace and quiet of your own home whenever you have some time.

20. Microlearning is 17% more effective than traditional learning.

(Float)

Online education market offers plenty of innovative ways to learn. Learning stats show that microlearning is a particularly effective way to retain information.

So what is microlearning? It’s the kind of approach that apps such as Duolingo use. Instead of hours-long lessons, the top e learning companies enable you to take quick, straightforward lessons that you can finish in under 15 minutes. The goal is to be consistent — if you dedicate at least 10-15 minutes of your time once a day every day to learning German, language learning eLearning statistics indicate that it’s more than enough to build a good base. You can improve your vocabulary with minimal effort involved.

21. eLearning courses consume 90% less energy and produce 85% fewer CO2 emissions per person than traditional learning.

(SH!FT)

eLearning and enterprise cultural change statistics tell us that even the environment can benefit from digital classes. Instead of taking the bus or driving to get to class, you can stay at home to finish a lesson.

22. For every dollar they spend on eLearning, companies can earn $30 in productivity.

(Docebo)

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. When it comes to companies and eLearning statistics, the ROI is more than obvious. When businesses invest in their employees and follow the eLearning market, they get a significant boost in worker productivity and a lot greater profit in the long run.

eLearning and Corporations

23. eLearning can reduce employee training time by 40-60%.

(Brandon Hall)

Corporate eLearning statistics are more than clear — digital classes will speed up the education of employees. Investing in employee training is a very important part of a company’s business model, and finding ways to teach workers new skills as quickly as possible will help generate more profit and make for a more productive atmosphere. This kind of power learning is essential in creating a stimulating atmosphere.

24. Large companies with a lot of resources comprise 30% of global LMS buyers.

(Docebo)

Online learning statistics show that big, successful companies invest in LMS platforms the most. After all, they are the ones with enough resources to purchase such platforms. Smaller companies can use their business models as an example and invest in their own LMS platforms or simply contact a center for online education if they want to purchase courses that will be available to all their employees.

25. 51% of businesses conduct eLearning courses because they believe it will improve employee morale.

(ILX)

E learning statistics indicate that taking online classes can actually boost employee morale and satisfaction. A worker who knows how to do their job well will become confident in their abilities and feel happier as a result. Other reasons companies conduct online trainings are to improve business capabilities, increase productivity, and increase the profitability of each employee. Social eLearning within the company itself can also improve relationships between team members and nurture a better team spirit.

Online Education Statistics — What the Future Holds

26. 98% of eLearning platforms use video-based training programs in their digital learning approach.

(Ambient Insight)

Adults now spend six hours per day on average watching video content. Online classes statistics show us that videos are the best way to make content more engaging to consumers, especially to college grown demographics. Most students have their own smartphones, and this means they can access video classes when they’re on the go. Why not pass the time during a long bus ride by logging into a learning platform and catching up on a lesson?

27. 74% of employees in businesses that use LMS platforms take advantage of BYOD (bring your own device).

(TechRepublic)

Once again, distance learning statistics showcase the benefits of LMS platforms. The e learning market size means innovations such as BYOD are widespread among learning management systems. Instead of having to rely on a company-provided device, you can simply download the program to your tablet or phone. Everything you need will be in one place. The online education market aims to integrate lesson learning into your daily life as smoothly as possible.

28. Of the students who learn online, 60% specifically choose to do so instead of attending a campus.

(Learning House and Aslanian Market Research)

Here are some more online school statistics that show the benefits of digital learning. Considering the number of college students in the US, it’s entirely possible that most universities in the future will make their courses available online. Universities like Harvard and Yale already put most of their lessons online, and they make enrolling in online college courses available even to non-students.

29. 87% of students use mobile devices to search for their online course, while 67% use their mobile devices to complete coursework.

(Learning House and Aslanian Market Research)

Higher education statistics show that mobile-friendly content is critical to most students. The number of students taking online courses means universities that want to make their content more easily accessible need to take student lifestyles and learning habits into account.

30. 30% of learning and development professionals want to incorporate games and simulations into their eLearning programs for 2020.

(Docebo)

Global eLearning statistics show that the future lies in gamification. Learning and development specialists and eLearning companies in the USA understand that learners need to feel a sense of accomplishment as they progress through a course. The best way to accomplish this is through gamification. Earning experience points, unlocking rewards, and levelling up can make learners more focused and eager to progress so they can get to the next stage.

31. 93% of learning and development professionals are adding live online learning to their program in 2020.

(Docebo)

What if you need to ask your tutor a direct question? Of course, you could always send them an email and wait a few hours (or a few days) for a reply. But what if they could give you the answer right away? Statistics of computer learning and eLearning for baby boomers show that this kind of approach is necessary for students - especially older ones - to fully grasp the material that’s being presented to them. The online learning market size is growing, but most developers seem to want to involve live online tutoring in their programs.

32. 33% of learning and development professionals want to develop MOOCs (massive online open courses) in 2020.

(Docebo)

MOOCs are open-licensed short courses that anyone can access. There are usually no requirements to access them, and they are entirely self-paced. Online classes vs traditional classes statistics show that L&D specialists want to introduce these types of courses to their websites. The trickiest thing about them is that they are self-paced; depending on how many courses a learner takes, they could easily end up overwhelmed and give up quickly. Developers need to take this into consideration.

33. 64% of learning and development professionals want to include open resources for their digital learning programs in 2020.

(Docebo)

Online learning statistics show that more than half of all LMS platforms want to include open resources in their programs. Open resources are teaching, learning, and research materials in any form. They are usually released under an open license that permits no-cost usage.

34. 35% of learning and development professionals want user-generated content to be included in learning programs in 2020.

(Docebo)

Statistics about learning show that user-generated content is the future. E learning growth means that users can contribute their expertise and experience to the platform and make it easier for others to understand the material. Companies should encourage user-generated content because it makes the audience more engaged and more likely to finish a course.

35. 58% of learning and development professionals are planning to introduce enterprise social networks to help learning in 2020.

(Docebo)

Marketing statistics on eLearning courses purchased online show that developers want to introduce enterprise social networks to their LMS platforms. Enterprise social networks are internal, private social networks that enable quick communication between users, and education stats show they’re effective.