Top Dog Words

Adult learning is a constantly developing field, fuelled by technological advancements, the global job market and the continuing rise of celebrated individuality. The last few years have seen a lot of changes, such as the rapid introduction of AI and the viral sensation of an uncomfortably threatening language learning app mascot. 

It’s likely these developments will continue to gain momentum. Who knows, maybe a giant green owl will actually turn up on your doorstep and force you to learn French (although I think this one is unlikely). Below, I take you through what I believe to be the most important emerging and developing trends in adult education and how they can help (or hinder) you.  

AI

Ah yes, this old chestnut again. 2024 was dominated by discussions around AI and, as a writer, the concept was initially pretty scary. That was, until I started using it. AI can’t replace humanity, that’s a simple fact. But it can and will overhaul the way we do things. So, it’s probably best to get ahead of the curve and figure out how to harness its powers for good. 

Many of you will have seen a variety of AI-powered assistants cropping up. There are note-taking apps, note-summarising apps, transcript creators, tutors and general chatbots which can be good for spitballing ideas when you don’t have someone around to annoy in person. All these tools can help speed up tedious processes that take time away from actual learning. I always recommend taking your own notes but having an AI assistant alongside you could help ensure you don’t miss anything important. You could even then have it convert your notes into a summary document or flash cards.  

AI can’t and won’t learn for you, but it could be your volunteer intern that supports the academic within you. Make 2025 the year you learn to harness its powers. 

Microlearning

As with many of the trends on this list, microlearning is not new but it is increasing in popularity. Learning on the go or in bite-sized chunks is a great way to prioritise knowledge when you live a busy life. We’ve all seen and probably used language learning apps or listened to education podcasts during the commute but this education sector is only getting larger. 

As more people become astute to the negative effects of excessive social media use, it seems my feeds have become promotional hubs for new educational apps and websites. Many of these claim that they will help you replace ‘doom scrolling’ with short biology lessons or book summaries (so you don’t have to actually put the phone away and read). 

Don’t get me wrong, microlearning is a great way to engage your brain but it seems to me that this could become the latest ‘fad diet’ in the education space. 10 minutes a day of biology will not replace the need for deep critical thinking if you actually want to understand the subject. But, it can help supplement your development goals if used appropriately and in conjunction with other methods. 

Continued technology use

A theme you may have already spotted is the ever-dominating presence of technology. What the education space has started to see, and will likely continue to experience throughout 2025 is the development of technologies to support traditional learning methods, rather than replacing them.

Many studies have highlighted the benefit of physically writing over typing if you actually want to retain information. The solution: e-ink tablets. I must say, when these started coming out I wasn’t sold, but then I tried one last year and now I can’t imagine my life without it. 

I’m not trying to sell you an e-ink tablet with this point. What I’m trying to say is that technology is constantly reinventing itself to find new ways to support you. There are lots of snake-oil products out there but there are also many useful tools constantly being created that will support your learning goals. All that’s required is a little research.   

Personalisation

Perhaps wrapping up the first three points into a nice summary, the most dominant trend in education that does not seem to be slowing down is the importance of personalised learning.

We all learn differently and so we should all approach our own learning differently. This realisation has been the foundation of the booming education market as businesses seek to fill gaps and support people who don’t conform to the traditional methods of classroom education. 

So what does that mean for individuals in 2025? More options! Whether it’s new equipment, apps or AI assistants, the choice of educational tools is becoming overwhelming. Whether for better or for worse, the choices you face are not going to reduce anytime soon. So what does that mean? Putting on your lab coat and experimenting to find what works for you and what doesn’t. 

Upskilling

The last significant trend in adult learning is the growing presence of upskilling. As the global job market changes, many see the importance of keeping their skills up-to-date or diversifying what they can offer to set them apart from the market. 

Multiple studies have predicted that people will likely work more than the 9-5 job in the future. Global economic issues, combined with the revolutionary impact of the internet, have seen more people generate income through side hustles and monetising their hobbies. Additionally, as some industries become increasingly unstable, many seek additional education to reskill.

Upskilling will be an essential driver of adult education in 2025 as people learn to diversify their income streams and adapt to the new economic realities of the global market. 

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The importance of lifelong learning is not slowing down, nor are the creation of new educational methods and tools. While these emerging and continuing trends can be overwhelming and even intimidating, by embracing the power of upskilling and technological advancements you can learn to take control of your own development. As they say, knowledge is power – the power to change and enhance your life.