Situation about e-learning in the world

The concept of e-learning is gradually changing by development of Information Technology and Communication (I.T.C.). Nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how and where e-learning is used by different actors in the world.

New tools and new methods in e-learning
E-learning allows companies to optimize their costs (accommodation expenses, travel expenses, logistics expenses). E-learning aims at tracking the biggest number of colleagues according to their level thanks to online tutoring (synchronous and asynchronous learning). It can adjust to professional or geographical mobility of people thanks to new tools and new methods in order to have better flexibility and more autonomy. Thanks to I.T.C., various tools take part in development of e-learning. Firstly, there are communication tools like social networks and the older tools like mail, and forum particulary. The collaborative tools are used in e-learning too, like collaborative platform, student or teacher blogs, and wikis. Finally, activities tools like virtual classes and planning tools like calendars have their importance in e-learning. Tools of Web 2.0 have created new uses and have led to great changes in the learning process and for trainer or tutor.
Besides, managers, administrative personnel or employees, teachers or students, and technicians can profit from this training. Indeed, new methods are used by actors of e-learning. There are more and more firms that offer self-paced e-learning to their employees. They have access to collaborative spaces. Companies pay a little more attention to this use, because generation Y likes very well this type of learning. As for the e-learning devices, companies use more blended-learning than the other e-learning devices. Firms use it seventy six times out of a hundred. It’s a high level of satisfaction. In France, serious game and mobile learning are used more and more. According to a survey of « CEGOS » in 2013, 40 % of employees have already taken part in online serious game. It’s an increase in 25 % since 2010. 35 % of employees have got a mobile e-learning thanks to devices like a tablet or smartphone. It’s a rise of 27 % since 2010. But France isn’t the country using the most distance training. Indeed, 33 % of french employees have already benefited from it against 65 % of british employees.

A growth of the worlwide e-learning market
E-learning is rising in Europe but worlwide too. From 2011 to 2016, the worldwide market for self-paced e-learning will increase annually by 7,6%. In 2011, it reached $35,6 billion (€27 billion) and it will amount to $51,5 billion (€39 billion) in 2016. During this period, Asia will be the continent with the most annual growth rate in self-paced e-learning (+ 17,3 %) whereas this growth rate will be the worst in North America (+4,4 %). From 2011 to 2016, Vietnam and Malaysia will be the world’s most rapidly growing e-learning markets (+30 %). This increase will be four times higher than the worldwilde average. Over 41,7 % of global Fortune 500 companies use actually some type of e-learning for employees. It will increase in future years.
Nevertheless, the potential for e-learning is not only in business but also in education or in environment. Today, about 4,6 college students are taking at least one course online. Half of all college classes will be e-learning-based by 2019. Finally, e-learning consumes 90 % less energy than traditionnal education courses.