Tim Wang's eLearning Blog

4). Content sharing initiatives face new challenges
Ever since learning object was defined, content sharing became to be the number one research topic in many public institutions across the world. Canada alone has performed over 20 well known researches projects that varies from Learning Object Repository Developments (CAREO, BELLE, POOL, etc.) to EduSource distributed LOR initiatives. Many standards have been implemented (AICC, LRN, IEEE, ADL/SCORM, etc.). I personally believe these researches and developments will further advance in the year 2005. Growing with the rapid e-Learning demands everywhere, content sharing environments will be expanded in a great deal.

5). Rich media is zooming
Rich media is being used in the e-Learning practices at an increasing rate last year. Macromedia continuously produces amazingly popular rich media authoring tools such as Flash 2004, Breeze Alive, Flex and RoboDemo. I think macromedia is doing everything right in supporting the e-Learning industry. They have always played a role as the inspirer and supporter instead of the direct solution provider. However, they have made a clear move into the e-Learning and web based training market by acquiring e-Help. There are many other tools work just as RoboDemo, like Camtasia, Firefly and Epiance. However, RoboDemo certainly will take the advantage of the wide adoption of Flash and other Macromedia technologies. This year, we should be able to see more learning contents online using rich media.

6). A war is starting between the content publishing vendors
There are three main course content providers in the e-Learning industry: Skillsoft、Thomson NETg and ElementK. However, I vision there will be more traditional publishers soon join this market simply because there is still a large room in the digital content market.

I guess this is enough for the vision in 2005. There may be many ground-breaking innovations surface in the new year that will change our view of e-Learning. In the meanwhile, let’s all keep being creative and push the available technologies to their highest potential to benefit our learners.