5 WorkplaceLearning Trendsand 5 Predictionsfor 20182018 Learning Index Report

The futureof learning 2018 offers exciting opportunities for learning & development (L&D). Innovative new technologies are poised to revolutionize workplace learning. But what are the key trends in the L&D space that you should pay attention to in the New Year? We analyzedthe learning patterns of 20+ million learners on Udemy and polled 263 L&D managers to shed light on what to expect in 2018.

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LearningTrendsfor 20185

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1The power of algorithms predicts what people want to learn next

2Mobile gets bigger as employees want to learn anywhere, anytime

3Four generations in the workplace requires a multidimensional approach to learning

4Technical teams are honing soft skills, while soft skill teams are mastering hard skills

5Hot skills in 2018 to keep your company ahead of the game

LearningPredictionsfor 20185

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1Artificial intelligence and machine learning will create personalized and adaptive learning experiences

2Gamification will be a game-changer when done correctly

3Virtual reality and augmented reality will gain ground as costs come down

4Agile learning will become mainstream

5A shift to behavior-driven learning will be the new norm

LearningTrends

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LearningTrends

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The power of algorithms predicts what people whatto learn next

In today’s constantly evolving world, careers don’t follow predictable paths and new types of jobs arise every year. Employees come to organizations with different skill-sets and skill gaps. Powerful new algorithms can help individual employees navigate their own personal learning journeys.

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LearningTrends

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The Udemy Knowledge GraphThrough analyzing the learning

patterns of 20+ million people

on Udemy, our algorithms map

out the most commonly traveled

learning pathways in a specific

topic area. By integrating this

data with individual learner

behavior, our platform can

serve up personalized learning

recommendations on what every

individual needs to learn next.

Source: Udemy

LearningTrends

8 Source: Udemy

Python Machine Learning Data Science Deep Learning Web development fundamentals1 32 4 5

Digital Marketing Marketing Strategy Online Marketing Social Media Marketing Facebook Marketing1 32 4 5

Java Android Development Spring Framework Selenium WebDriver Spring MVC1 32 4 5

Leadership Communication Skills Management Skills Personal Development Influence1 32 4 5

Photoshop Graphic Design User Experience Design Web Design Photoshop Retouching1 32 4 5

Unity Game Development C# Programming Language 3D Game Development 3D Animation1 32 4 5

The road well traveled Here are some commonly traveled learning journeys based on our data. We map out the popular learning pathways across several different skill areas. For example, if a person starts learning a Python course, the most common next course to take is a Machine Learning course. After that, it’s likely Data Science and then Deep Learning and Web Development.

LearningTrends

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Mobile gets bigger as employees want to learn anywhere, anytime

75% of smartphones users globally watch online videos on their phones.1 Newer applications like augmented reality and virtual reality, as well as 5G services, are expected to drive mobile video growth further. Cisco predicts mobile video will increase 9-fold between 2016-2021, accounting for 78% of total mobile data traffic.2

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1. GMSA Intelligence, Global Mobile Trends 2017, September 2017.2. Cisco, Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update,

2016–2021, March 2017.

LearningTrends

It’s not surprising that in the learning space, we’re seeing the same explosive mobile growth. On Udemy, more learners are downloading their video-based courses to consume offline on their mobile devices during their commute or in locations with unreliable internet access. In 2016-2017, mobile offline consumption grew by 286% –compared to last year’s growth of 69%.

Taking courses online on mobile is also growing rapidly. Learning on mobile phones grew by 50% in 2016-2017, significantly higher than last year’s growth of only 7% in 2015-2016.

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Mobile learning consumption growth

Online

7%50%

69%

Offline

286%2015-2016

2016-2017

Source: Udemy

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Four generations in the workplace requires a multidimensional approach to learning

With Generation Z(ages 18-22) entering the workforce and Baby Boomers retiring later than expected,L&D now has to contend with four generations in the workplace - and they all have very different learning preferences.

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Generation X (36-55) Baby Boomers (56+)

39% 8%

Generation Z (18-22) Millennials (23-35)

44%8%

Online Learning by generation2016-2017

Source: Udemy

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Source: 2017 Udemy Workplace Stress Study

Milennials Generation X

One-on-one coaching1 On-demand

learningLearning in the

classroom

On-demand learning2 Tuition

reimbursementOne-on-one

coaching

Learning that’s personalized to

their needs3 Learning in the

classroom

Learning that’s personalized to

their needs

Baby Boomers

Different generations wantto learn in different ways Generation Z and Millennials are digital natives with a preference for constant feedback and on-the-go learning embedded in mobile and social media tools. At the other end of the spectrum, Baby Boomers prefer instructor-led classroom training and are often more resistant to new technologies. While Baby Boomers and Gen X might have accepted a top-down approach to learning, Gen Z and Millennials want more say in what they learn. To accommodate the learning needs of these diverse generations, L&D teams are offering a broad range of content in multiple formats from classroom instruction and one-on-one coaching to on-demand learning and social discussion forums. There is no one right way to learn. L&D’s job is to make it for easy for each generation to access learning.

Top 3 learning preferences by generation

LearningTrends

Technical teams arehoning soft skills, whilesoft skill teams are mastering hard skillsWhen we looked across different teams in the workplace, we discovered that technical teams are learning soft skills while predominantly soft-skill based roles are busy acquiring more hard skills. With the rise of more collaborative workplace cultures and the importance of delivering amazing customer service experiences, it’s not surprising that teams are enhancing their communication and people skills. At the same time, with the pervasiveness of big data and machine learning in just about every field, traditionally soft-skill teams like HR, Customer Success, Customer Support, and Marketing must sharpen their data analytics skills.

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LearningTrends

As a result, across the 1,000+ organizations using Udemy for Business, we’re seeing engineering teams across industries brushing up on communication skills, Marketing teams are beefing up their data analytics abilities, and Customer Success teams are mastering their communication and data-crunching skills.

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Engineering teams Customer Success teams Marketing teams

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Top trending topics in 2018

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Kotlin 95x

Neural Networks 58x

CAPM 42x

Apache Kafka 40x

GraphQL 39x

Chef Software 35x

Microsoft Certification 34x

Artificial Intelligence 31x

Ethereum 20x

Source: Udemy

Hot skills in 2018 to keep your company ahead of the game

By tracking learning preferences on Udemy, we can spot trending topics before they become mainstream. Here are the top 4 trending topics worth keeping an eye on to stay ahead of the game and keep your employees’ skillsup to speed.

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LearningTrends

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New programming language Kotlinstreamlines Android app development

What is it?New programming language Kotlin v1.0 was released in February 2016 as an alternative to Java for Android app development.

Why is it trending?Java is an older language, verbose, error-prone, and has been slow to modernize. Kotlin is a new modern, sophisticated programming language that simplifies and streamlines the Android development process. Once Kotlin was released in 2016, two Kotlin courses started trending on Udemy. When Google announced formal support for Kotlin in May 2017, 29 more courses were published on Udemy(5 in May alone) and consumption of Kotlin courses skyrocketed.

Popular courses

Learning about Kotlin grew by 95x between 2016-2017 on Udemy95X

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Neural networks are pushing computingpower into a new frontier

What is it?Driving autonomously through busy streets or recognizing human emotions through facial expressions is possible as a result of a new type of computer simulation based on the structure of the human brain. Artificial neural networks simulate neuron-like connections and mimic how the human brain processes, stores, and acts on information. Neural networks, also known as Deep Learning, are pushing computing power into a whole new frontier.

Why is it trending?The power of neural networks can be leveraged for just about every industry - from online retail (shopping cart analysis) and finance (credit card fraud prevention) to sports (winning games), healthcare (disease prevention), and agriculture (managing crops).

Popular courses

Neural network learning grew by 58x between 2016-2017 on Udemy58X

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The talent gap in project management creates risks for organizations

What is it?Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification course that teaches the essentials of effective project management. It is a critical first stepping-stone for entry-level project manager roles.

Why is it trending?Project management is a rapidly growing profession. 87.7 million project managers will be needed by 2027 and qualified talent is in huge demand, according to the Project Management Institute. Failure to anticipate this projected demand could result in a loss of $207.9 billion in gross domestic product through 2027.3

Popular courses

Certified Associate Project Management learning grew by 42x on Udemy between 2016-201742X

3. Project Management Institute, “Project Management Job Growth and Talent Gap 2017-2027,” May 2017.

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Apache Kafka integrates diverse data sources enabling companies to innovate

What is it?Apache Kafka is the engine behind internet companies like Twitter or Airbnb. By integrating diverse kinds of data such as likes, page clicks, searches, orders, shopping carts, and inventory, Apache Kafka feeds this data into predictive analytic engines that can analyze and understand customer behavior.

Why is it trending?Apache Kafka’s ability to integrate and synthesize valuable data can be a differentiator for businesses as they seek to innovate and stay one step ahead of competitors. But it’s not just for internet startups, traditional large enterprises are also starting to take note of its advantages.

Apache Kafka-related questions on Google Search and tech forums like StackOverflow

and Github have also skyrocketed in recent years—signaling a trending hot topic.4

Popular courses

Learning about Apache Kafka grew by 40x on Udemy between 2016-201740X

4. Redmonk, “The Rise and Rise of Apache Kafka,” blog post, February 4, 2016.

LearningTrends

Cryptocurrency

Webpack

Shopify Dropshipping

Electron Framework

ARKit

Solidity

Keras

Progressive Web App

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Topics Surging in 2018* New innovations are behind surging topics: cryptocurrency, drop shipping, and webpack Cryptocurrency, drop shipping, and webpack are new learning topics that didn’t exist in 2016, but surged in 2017 on Udemy. The spike in learning around these innovations offer a glimpse into new skills your business may need in order to stay competitive in 2018 and beyond.

Cyber Security Social Engineering

Evangelism Marketing

Google Cloud

Logstash

CISM

NumPy

*Surging topics indicated by Udemy course demand in 2017

LearningTrends

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2017 was a turning point for cryptocurrency

What is it?

Cryptocurrencies or digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are poised to revolutionize online payments.

Why is it surging?

2017 was a turning point for cryptocurrencies with Bitcoin’s value soaring this year. International demand, especially in China and countries that lack a sophisticated financial infrastructure, is driving the growing interest in cryptocurrencies.5 Cryptocurrencies also offer a new way to solve cross-border payments by circumventing currency exchange differences across countries.

Popular courses

5. Bluepay, “Cryptocurrency Trends to Look Out for in 2017,” blog post, 2017.

LearningTrends

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Webpack makes it easier for JavaScript developers

What is it?

Web apps rely on JavaScript, making the client-side or front-end of a website burdened with handling more. Webpack’s “module system” offers a way to manage this additional load. With a module system, developers can be more organized and deliver content rapidly and efficiently to users.

Why is it surging?

A new version Webpack 2.2.0 was released in 2017 and quickly became the favorite of JavaScript module bundlers.

Popular courses

LearningTrends

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Drop shipping is taking off in the e-commerce world

What is it?

With orders shipped directly from manufacturers, e-commerce retailers avoid expensive warehouses and wasted inventory. Zappos and Wayfair have built their entire business around drop shipping and Amazon is increasingly relying on drop shipping as well.

Why is it surging?

In an estimated $370 billion retail e-commerce market in the US in 2017, around 33% of internet retailers have adopted drop shipping as their primary method of order fulfillment.6

Popular courses

6. AmeriCommerce, “The Numbers Behind Drop Shipping,” blog post.

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We polled 263 L&D managers and asked what they plan to add to their learning programs in the next few years. Here are highlights of what they had to say.

LearningPredictions

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The future of workplace learning according to L&DWhat L&D plans to add in the next few years

Percent of L&D departments that plan to add feature in the next few years

Percent of L&D departments that offer feature today

Personalized learning paths

50%46%

Machine learning

24%11%

Learning embedded in workflow

35%46%

Virtual reality

20%4%

Gamification

31%8%

Social learning

13%9%

Future OfferingsToday’s Offerings

Source: Udemy

LearningPredictions

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Artificial intelligence and machinelearning will create personalized andadaptive learning experiences Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming the L&D industry by customizing the digital learning experience for the individual learner. By studying learner behavior over large data sets, AI can track learning habits, search requests for content topics, and provide course recommendations similar to Amazon and Netflix’s user experiences.

By analyzing learner behavior data, machine learning and AI can help L&D professionals understand and predict what employees want to learn. While machine learning powers only 4% of L&D offerings today, 24% of surveyed L&D managers plan to add machine learning over the next few years. 50% of L&D managers indicated they plan to provide more personalized learning paths for their employees. By serving up learning recommendations for each individual in real-time, artificial intelligence and machine learning offer opportunities to scale personalization like never before.

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LearningPredictions

Gamification will be agame-changer when done correctly More L&D teams plan to incorporate gamification to increase learning engagement and reinforce learning. Layered beneath every successful video game is a complex foundation driven by behavioral science and psychology. While only 8% of L&D programs today, a third (31%) of survey respondents plan to add gamification to their corporate learning programs in the next few years. Gamification can help L&D create better value for their employees—making learning engaging while helping people retain and apply their new knowledge. However, gamification is more than just adding leaderboards and badges. In order for L&D leaders to effectively leverage the power of gamification as a learning tool,they must understand the science behind it and thoughtfully design their programs.

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2

Shelley OsborneHead of L&D at Udemy

Shelley wrote her thesis on gamification for her Master’s degree in Education at the University of Calgary, Canada

Read Shelley Osborne’s blog for more gamification tips:Gamification is Actually About Motivation, Not Badges

At the end of the day, gamification is really about trying to create a learning experience to help motivate people to changetheir behavior.

LearningPredictions

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Virtual reality and augmented realitywill gain ground as costs come down Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are set to become the

biggest disruption to learning since the internet.

Augmented reality (AR) experiences like the popular Pokemon Go game

involve enhancing natural environments by adding virtual information

on top. AR makes “in-the-moment learning” possible. Training can be

delivered digitally while employees actually perform the task. AR can

overlay digital objects for guidance or provide a remote instructor to

provide step-by-step direction and correction on the job.

Virtual reality (VR) enables immersive apprenticeship-style learning at

scale, creating an environment for employees to apply what they learn

in “real-world” situations. It makes sense for industries like healthcare—

allowing hospitals to simulate the ER or operating room scenarios to train

nurses and doctors. And as virtual reality costs come down, organizations

are also starting to use it for soft skills. For example, diversity & inclusion VR

training lets employees experience the workplace in someone else’s shoes.

While still a small component of today’s L&D resources (only 4%), 20% of

L&D departments are planning to introduce VR in the next few years.

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Read more:4 Easy Steps to Implement VR Training

LearningPredictions

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Agile learning will become mainstream In our poll, 78% of L&D managers said their biggest challenge was keeping their employees’ skills up to speed with change. In our rapidly changing world driven by technological innovation, the traditional 6-month course creation cycle is no longer acceptable. Instead, L&D must deliver timely learning content that’s relevant to employees’ needs. In today’s world, L&D departments won’t be able to create all the learning content themselves but must rely on agile learning vendors to provide up-to-date content in real-time. For internally created programs and content, L&D managers will need to adopt an Agile development process. This means creating timely L&D programs in a highly iterative process that takes a few weeks, rather than spending months perfecting turnkey solutions.

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Read more:How to Become an Agile L&D Team

LearningPredictions

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A shift to behavior-drivenlearning will be the new norm As learning & development becomes increasingly tied to business outcomes, L&D departments are putting greater emphasis on whether their learning programs actually change behavior. It’s not about how many hours of learning employees consumed, but whether the employee changed their behavior as a result of learning. Examples of behavior change could be management techniques like giving feedback effectively or avoiding unconscious bias when hiring and interviewing candidates. To impact behavior change, L&D managers are building in more follow-up post-training like one-on-one coaching or cohort accountability partners to check new knowledge is actually being applied. In 2018, we expect L&D managers to continue to innovate on this front.

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Read more:Blended Learning: A Proven Model to Change Behavior at Work

Conclusion 2018 will be a year of innovation for L&D. With new technologies

and methodologies disrupting corporate learning, we’re just at the

tip of the iceberg. We’re excited to see what happens next.

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About Udemy for BusinessUdemy for Business offers an accessible and engaging online learning

platform that helps organizations upskill their workforce and foster a culture

of learning. Our mission is to help employees do whatever comes next. We

offer a curated selection of 2,000+ high-quality courses taught by the

world’s leading experts that are updated in real-time. Our algorithms can

identify trending topics and provide personalized learning recommendations.

In addition, we offer a platform to host your organization’s proprietary

courses as well as provide intuitive learning analytics tools. Leading

organizations including Booking.com, PayPal, ON24, Lyft, Prudential

Financial, and many others use Udemy for Business to drive learning forward.

Learn more: business.udemy.com

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