The document analyzes the top 10 training and development trends from 2011-2015 and provides predictions for how they may continue to evolve. It assigns symbols to each trend to indicate whether it was deemed "worth it", "on the rise", or "didn't pan out". Mobile/responsive design, video, gamification, design thinking, microlearning, and engagement portals are labeled as "worth it". Social learning and personalization/adaptive evaluation are labeled as "on the rise". Wearable tech/virtual reality and MOOCs are labeled as "didn't pan out". While trends provide new opportunities, the document cautions that the effectiveness of each trend depends on an organization's unique needs and learners.

1. Trends In T&D
What worked, what didn’t, and
what’s next in training trends

2. IN THE SWIFTLY MOVING ROTATION OF WHAT’S
NEW AND WHAT’S NEXT, IT CAN BE HARD TO
KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD USE OR WHAT WILL
WORK FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.
Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO

3. It’s only human to love new, shiny toys, and there’s nothing
wrong with getting excited about trends. But if the only reason
to use a trend is the cool factor, it’s time to take a step back.
That’s why we’ve gathered the top 10 trends from 2011-2015,
analyzed how effective they were, and made our predictions
about how they could continue to evolve.

4. GUIDE:
As you read through the trends you’ll see the following symbols that represent
our conclusions about the vitality of each trend:
It’s Worth It
This trend is real, effective,
and worth your investment.
On The Rise
This trend has the potential
to be big, but hasn’t fully
arrived yet.
Didn’t Pan Out
This trend didn’t live up to the
hype, and isn’t recommended
for most companies.
WORTH IT
DIDN’T PAN OUT
ON THE RISE
Download the Ebook

5. Mobile &Responsive Design
Take advantage of how mobile tech makes training
accessible on the job and provide reference tools that don’t
take learners away from their work. Make work and learning
simultaneous and seamless.
WORTH IT

6. Wearable Tech &Virtual Reality
Wearable tech is unlikely to offer anything significantly better
than phones or tablets for most organizations, so don’t expect
to see this coming into widespread use in learning and
development in the near future.
DIDN’T PAN OUT

7. DIDN’T PAN OUT
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course)
The potential for massive open online courses seemed
limitless when they first came onto the scene, but that
potential has never been realized in the training industry.

8. Video
Video has taken off in a big way. The cost to create high-
quality video has dropped, as has demand on bandwidth.
WORTH IT

9. Gamification
The rise of gamification hasn’t been quite as swift as
video, but it is growing quickly. Companies must take
care that games continue to be a supporting tool for
engagement without becoming a distraction.
WORTH IT

10. ON THE RI
SE
Personalization &
Adaptive Evaluation
In addition to the drive for more flexibility in instructional
design with agile and adaptive design movements,
evaluation and personalization in the courses themselves
have been a hot topic for several years.

11. Design Thinking
WORTH IT
Design thinking is integrated into a creative process—
a team-based approach to innovation—which should
result in an innovative solution that makes a significant
difference for learners and business.

12. Social Learning
Whether we take advantage of it or not, the rapid ideation
and high participation rates of our learners in social media
make social learning a powerful trend.
ON THE RI
SE

13. Microlearning will explode in popularity as companies
realize the opportunities it gives them for personalized,
cost-effective, flexible, just-in-time training.
Microlearning
WORTH IT

14. Engagement Portal
WORTH IT
Expanding our point of view from content centric
to a holistic experience is an important trend that
will strengthen training leaders and become a
critical bridge to other parts of your organization.

15. EVEN AFTER KNOWING WHICH TRENDS HAVE
PRODUCED RESULTS, IT ISN’T EASY TO KNOW
WHICH OF THOSE WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. EVERY COMPANY HAS UNIQUE NEEDS AND
LEARNERS. EVERY COMPANY IS AT A DIFFERENT
POINT IN THE EVOLUTION OF THEIR CURRICULUM.
Ron Zamir, AllenComm CEO