In recent years, the higher education industry has seen a rise in demand for adult education — that is, courses aimed at adult students looking to grow their skills and acquire new ones. Skill gaps and the push toward skills-based hiring may be the leading causes for this growing demand, but other factors are at play.
Technological advancements make it necessary for workers to upskill themselves to stay ahead, especially in an increasingly competitive job market. Many adults also turn to ongoing learning and certifications to advance their careers, increase their earning potential, and expand their knowledge. Additionally, companies are investing in employee training to give themselves a competitive edge.
As we near the start of the enrollment cliff, higher education institutions must adjust their strategies to capture the growing adult learning market. Consider the following adult learning trends to inform your institution’s decisions and better meet adult learner needs.
“Microlearning” describes a new learning strategy that delivers education in smaller units. Traditional education involves studying large amounts of information and attending long, lengthy lectures. With microlearning, students can learn information in bite-sized pieces, usually through an online platform. For example, an employee can pick up a new skill by watching a short 10-minute video while they’re on the job.
Learning new information in small doses can keep students engaged and make learning feel more manageable.
One increasingly popular form of adult education that uses microlearning is microcredentials — short and focused courses that award certification when students acquire a specific skill. Students can complete microcredentials on their own or stack multiple microcredentials to receive a larger qualification. They’re more flexible, affordable, and easier to complete than traditional degrees, making them attractive to busy adults.
Nearly every industry is finding ways to use AI to improve its services and products, and education is no different. Higher education institutions can offer innovative adult education by incorporating AI into their learning platforms. AI can speed up content creation and course optimization and automate grading, data collection, and data analysis. You can even add AI chatbots and tutors to give students direct access to support when they need it.
Another trend in adult learning is personalization. Adults with jobs and families have limited time to dedicate to learning and attending classes. Whatever further education they decide to pursue, it must meet their exact needs and fit within their schedule. That’s why many adult education providers personalize the experience for each student.
You can personalize the adult learning experience by adjusting a student’s educational journey to their career goals and personal circumstances. For example, you can help them choose courses that will equip them with the right skills, customize what they learn, and allow them to complete content online at their own pace. AI can take personalization further by adapting learning materials in real time to match each student’s interests, skills, and performance.
While many adults choose to learn remotely, they still crave connection and collaboration with their peers. In response, institutions are incorporating collaborative learning approaches into courses to encourage students to work in groups and learn from each other. You can create spaces for them to work together in person, or provide online chat rooms or forums where they can connect remotely.
Collaborative learning is beneficial for adult learners as they can motivate each other and experience different perspectives. Professionals may also see collaborative learning as a networking opportunity.
Another trend in continuing education for adults is blended learning, which combines in-person and online teaching. Blended learning looks different for each higher education institution, but it’s common for students to attend a physical class in a blended learning environment. Often, the instructor records these classes for people to watch online. Students may also learn from online platforms and use class time to participate in discussions and activities.
A blended approach offers greater flexibility, as adult learners can attend classes when possible to experience some of the benefits of in-person instruction. Missing a class won’t affect their education since they can participate online.
Predictive analytics uses data analysis and machine learning to predict future outcomes. It’s a powerful tool for all higher education institutions, but especially those offering adult learning courses. Adults face various challenges that can prevent them from finishing a course, such as a lack of time or resources. Institutions now use predictive analytics to track student progress and identify at-risk students. Early intervention can help these students succeed and prevent them from dropping out.
Adult education must be engaging and effective to encourage professionals to enroll. One way educational institutions target both of these qualities is through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). VR is an immersive, computer-generated environment that students interact with through headsets and controllers. AR involves overlaying images or video into the physical world through digital interfaces.
This innovative technology helps instructors make learning more interactive and exciting. It also enables students to engage with simulations of real-world scenarios, allowing them to boost their understanding and hone their skills.
Remote learning is common in adult education as most adults can’t attend in-person classes. Thanks to digital learning platforms, students can complete courses from home or wherever they are. This desire for accessibility and convenience has led to an increase in mobile learning, where students learn from their phones and tablets on the go instead of sitting down at a computer.
To facilitate mobile learning, your institution will need to create responsive content that students can easily access on mobile devices. Allow them to download content so they can access it even without an internet connection.
Soft skills — like communication, critical thinking, and decision-making — are becoming increasingly desirable in the job market as companies recognize their value. Consequently, many adult learning courses today emphasize developing specific soft skills. These skills set professionals up for success in their careers and daily lives. While designing adult learning courses, consider incorporating soft skill training and assessments to develop these in-demand skills.
Capturing the adult learning market can help your institution boost enrollment rates in the coming years, but you’ll need to evolve your adult education offerings to do so. At Watermark, we specialize in creating software that higher education institutions can use to inspire improvement and maximize their impact.
Watermark’s Educational Impact Suite (EIS) streamlines data collection and analysis. It will help you uncover actionable insights so you can make more strategic, data-informed decisions regarding courses, leadership, students, and faculty. Our software is designed by higher ed professionals who aspire to help institutions like yours succeed.
Explore our full suite of software solutions to learn more about how we can help. When you’re ready, reach out to our team to see our software in action and find what solution is best for you.
