Will the rise in peer-to-peer platforms result in large amounts of educational content becoming freely available?

You bet.

A report titled “Global E-Learning Investment Review,” says that — to that end — business models will focus on delivering chargeable premium custom-made and ancillary services.

The 101-page report has been produced by IBIS Capital Ltd., with market information and analysis from Learning Light, an e-learning consultancy.

Other observations:

>> Learning will become increasingly personalized with e-learning harnessing big data analytics to provide interactive learning that is tailored to meet the individual’s learning patterns and aptitude.

>> With the rise of mobile and tablet penetration, learners will increasingly access content “anytime, anywhere.” The classroom setting will become the arena for face-to-face tutoring of individual requirements and open discussion.

>> The need to improve skills, meet regulatory requirements and manage training costs will result in e-learning becoming part of the fabric of virtually every business.

>> As the range of e-learning offerings expand, the need for qualifications and standards to be recognized will become increasingly important. Accreditation will become unified over time, and educational brands will reduce to a small number of global players.

>> The education process will continue throughout an individual’s life. Individuals will maintain a live log of their learning experiences from the time they start their studies and then on through their working lives.

The report also sets out 47 significant mergers and acquisitions in the learning/education market, where 75 percent have been in the e-learning sector over the past two years, amounting to approximately $3.8 billion by transaction value.

“We’ve been delighted to put our market knowledge at IBIS Capital’s disposal – to help put into context some of the events in the e-learning world over the past couple of years,” says David Patterson, a Learning Light director. “While any company that wants to acquire companies in this sector — or that wants to be acquired — will be anxious to read this IBIS report, Learning Light would stress the need for taking expert professional consultancy advice when performing such tasks as ‘due diligence’ in the run-up to any further deals.”

Charles McIntyre, of IBIS Capital, further notes: “The e-learning sector has reached a tipping point where we now have the digital infrastructure, the mobile and tablet penetration, the software platforms and most importantly the consumer demand to see education innovation in the digital age become an integral part of teaching and corporate training.

“The IBIS report will provide a window onto this world for anybody seeking to invest or build businesses in the e-learning sector.”

Source: ELearning!