What is Dynamic Learning?

One eLearning industry trend that has become increasingly popular is to create dynamic content. But what is it, and is it right for you?

Technology is revolutionizing education industry practices with new methods invariably appearing. However, if you’re creating an eLearning program, you must decide what style of delivery supports your desired learning outcomes, as the end goal should always be the successful transfer of knowledge and skills.

In this article

1. What is the Difference Between Static and Dynamic Learning?
2. Static Learning
3. Dynamic Learning
4. Benefits of Dynamic Learning
5. How Technology is Being Used in Dynamic Learning
6. Using AI in Dynamic Learning
7. Conversational Computing Applications for Dynamic Learning
8. Dynamic Learning with Virtual Reality (VR)
9. Human Voice Overs and Dynamic eLearning Programs
10. Synthetic or AI Voices for Dynamic Learning
11. Will You Leverage Dynamic Learning as Part of Your Course Delivery? 

What is the Difference Between Static and Dynamic Learning?

Learn about static and dynamic learning to see which method aligns with your learning goals and explore how a dynamic eLearning program supports personalized learning experiences.

Static Learning

Static learning programs operate like a one-way street: they deliver course content without interacting with the learner. Examples of static learning include independent tasks like reading a chapter from a textbook or completing a worksheet: activities that don’t involve a lot of creativity or action.

This type of learning program offers the benefit of enabling you to deliver a lot of information, but the passive nature of this delivery may also contribute to low retention rates. Static programs can be boring for some learners, causing them to lose interest in the learning material quickly. Most importantly, the average human attention span is quickly decreasing, causing more learning content creators to take the dynamic learning route.

Dynamic Learning

Dynamic learning programs are interactive and include tasks that involve a high level of learner engagement, and the use of multiple learning mediums. For example, the learner may have to build a demo website or send out surveys as a part of their course. 

A static eLearning program is highly monotonous, failing to adapt to our rapidly changing world of data because of its simple content. 

Benefits of Dynamic Learning

Dynamic eLearning programs are fluid and engaging, as you can incorporate a variety of features like conversational computing, interactive quizzes and games within the program.

Such activities contribute to the overall development of an individual, taking the focus away from course grades and moving it to acquiring new skills. 

The customizations involved in this mode of learning help course instructors create personalized learning experiences for their students. Personalized learning sets the student up for success, as it takes their strength and weaknesses into account. 

Dynamic learning is quickly transforming the way eLearning content creators design courses, with more emphasis on student needs and blended learning experiences that take into account the different types of learners. 

How Technology is Being Used in Dynamic Learning

Today’s technological advancements are allowing educators to unlock new ways of delivering dynamic learning content. Here, we’ll take a look at conversational computing, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Using AI in Dynamic Learning

In a nutshell, AI’s machine learning technology is driven by user inputs, making it an ideal technology for dynamically engaging with learners. For example, a quiz program may take the learner’s previous responses into account to decide which question to ask next.  

Or to unlock the next chapter, the student may have to complete a level in a game.

With AI, learning becomes an integrated activity, as both the learner and AI process new information. It is similar to how Alexa is helping teachers in the classroom, but more complex because it involves larger chunks of detailed information and periodic assessments. AI’s machine learning can personalize content based on the user’s inputs and selections, allowing the user to work at their desired pace and choose the content they want to tackle first.

A good example is Salesforce’s Trailhead program, which is filled with several highly interactive tutorials. When you get something wrong, the program forces you to re-read the content and use your critical thinking skills to analyze your new inputs.

Susan Hurrell from Neovations explains how the features of their dynamic eLearning program are extremely useful for adult learners because it tells them what they don’t know and how they can learn it, without wasting their time with superfluous content. For businesses, this results in less time and money spent on training, as employees receive the appropriate training efficiently.

Neovation’s Ottolearn focuses on adult learners and its features show how, like young learners, adult learners also looking for fun and personalized learning experiences. Dynamic eLearning provides a blended strategy that caters to everyone, with reading materials, interactive quizzes, games and built-in practice demos.

Conversational Computing Applications for Dynamic Learning

Conversational computing is another great feature that can be incorporated into your program. Conversational computing uses AI to talk to people and answer their questions. This can be through a synthetic voice or typed responses. 

You can use conversational computing to create learning sessions that simulate ordinary conversations, like the one you might have with a professor or friend. Conversational computing makes your program similar to one-on-one teaching, with dialogues that cater to the student’s needs.

More and more higher-education institutions and businesses are employing chatbots for handling inquiries about their services. Georgia State University uses chatbots to help handle incoming students’ inquiries about enrolling in their courses and their pilot study shows that students who talk to chatbots have a lower dropout rate than students who talk to employees. 

Dynamic Learning with Virtual Reality (VR)

Another exciting application for dynamic learning is the introduction of virtual reality (VR). VR experiences enable learners to be immersed in experiences and learn in a safe, hands-on way that is unique. Some of the industries employing VR training include health and safety, construction, licensing (flying, driving, etc) and more.

One example of VR used in dynamic learning comes from a company called Friends with Holograms. Their project with Accenture shows how VR can be used to help child welfare workers navigate difficult situations and learn about how to approach casework before they are faced with real clients. In the experience, real actors engage with the social worker, and the learner is provided with choices as to how they would like to proceed, including questions they’ll ask or actions they’d like to take. 

See the project in action:

Human Voice Overs and Dynamic eLearning Programs

To create a dynamic eLearning program, you also need an engaging voice over for your project, as having games and quizzes may not be enough to keep students engaged. 

You have the option of choosing an AI voice or a human voice for your eLearning program and this decision should be determined by thoroughly analyzing your audience and content. If your eLearning program is extensive or highly technical, having an engaging human voice will help increase the student retention rate.

For example, a long chapter on mechanical gears can benefit from having a charismatic, human voice over. 

An eLearning program for young children can have multiple voices, such as a teacher’s voice and a child’s voice. By using two voices, you create a fascinating learning experience for young students, keeping them interested in the learning material. Learn how to determine how many voices are the best for your eLearning program.

Synthetic or AI Voices for Dynamic Learning

An AI voice is a synthetic voice, which utilizes the text-to-speech tool to narrate eLearning content, removing the need for multiple scripts. Synthetic voices take less time to create as they don’t involve the hassle of recording, making them a cost-efficient option.

On the other hand, some eLearning content creators argue that synthetic voices are too robotic and may distract the student from the learning process. If you feel that this is the case with your eLearning program, you can embed a human voice within your AI system, to make it more humanlike. Learn how to create a voice casting strategy for your eLearning program or see how you can update your current eLearning voice over.

Will You Leverage Dynamic Learning as Part of Your Course Delivery? 

The emergence of dynamic learning proves how personalized educational content has become, focusing on the learner’s needs, rather than the instructor. A dynamic learning style provides a win-win situation for students and instructors everywhere because it embraces constant change and individuality.

Starting a new project? Find the most engaging voice actor for your eLearning program.

Do you like the idea of using a dynamic learning program? Let us know your thoughts!