--- title: "Wednesday Buzz: Online Learning Trends You Need to Know" id: "41073" type: "post" slug: "wednesday-buzz-online-learning-trends-you-need-to-know" published_at: "2018-01-10T23:58:58+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:07:30+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/01/10/wednesday-buzz-online-learning-trends-you-need-to-know/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/01/10/wednesday-buzz-online-learning-trends-you-need-to-know.md" excerpt: "The latest digital educational trends may make you rethink your membership offerings. Also: notes on a blackout at one of the world’s most popular tradeshows." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Membership" - "micro-learning" - "online learning" - "Trends" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Wednesday Buzz: Online Learning Trends You Need to Know A top priority for most professional associations is to provide quality educational opportunities for members. Continuing education courses and webinars are common tools, but as member expectations change, so should educational offerings. A blogger at WBT Systems read *Non-Obvious 2018 Edition: How to Predict Trends and Win the Future* by Rohit Bhargava and shares [several key insights (opens in a new tab)](https://www.wbtsystems.com/6-non-obvious-online-learning-trends-for-2018/) on how those trends apply to association online learning programs. Consider the rise of bite-sized learning. “Today’s learners want time-efficient, engaging, useful, fun, bite-sized learning, just like what they see on YouTube,” says the post. Try experimenting with microlearning formats, a relatively low-risk effort that “serves as an entryway to more in-depth online learning programs.” Bhargava also points out that people are looking for a more authentic, human experiences. “Offer more than instruction,” the post advises. “Encourage lively discussions in your online community. Provide personal coaching or consultation to help students apply what they’ve learned.” ### CES Blackout > Introducing Blackout™: The biggest thing to hit [#CES2018 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CES2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > since [#5G (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/5G?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > . [#CESblackout (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CESblackout?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/xObxxxHvQe (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/xObxxxHvQe) > > — Intel (@intel) [January 10, 2018 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/intel/status/951174241109471232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **In the tech world, one of the biggest events of the year** is [CES (opens in a new tab)](https://www.ces.tech/) , a multi-day conference hosted by the Consumer Technology Association. Every year, a ton of tech news comes out of this event, but this year is a little different. Today, the power went out in the Las Vegas Convention Center where the event is being held, leaving a bunch of tech-addicted, social media-savvy attendees briefly in the dark, [reports TechCrunch (opens in a new tab)](https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/10/the-day-the-lights-went-out-at-ces/) . Check out the [#CESblackout (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CESblackout?src=hash) hashtag that trended on Twitter to find out how people reacted to this unexpected occurrence. (Hint: humorously.) Brands and attendees tweeted out jokes, updates, and images. [Here (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/intel/status/951174241109471232) [are a (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/Mrnono2/status/951173520108568576) [few faves (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/drewstearne/status/951187380404289536) . For its part, CES kept attendees updated via Twitter and suggested activities that were still available, such as a trip to [visit outdoor exhibitors (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/CES/status/951190990475284480) , while power was being restored. ### Other Links of Note **What’s the one thing you need to do to increase new membership retention?** *Smooth the Path* [says the key is thorough planning (opens in a new tab)](http://www.smooththepath.net/2018/01/10/planning-is-one-key-to-new-member-retention-growth/) . **Multisensory experiences can add some pizazz to your events.** *Event Marketer* [shares several memorable examples (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmarketer.com/eight-multisensory-strategies/) . **We talk a lot about millennials,** but keeping gen X-ers happy should be a priority too. *BenefitsPRO* sheds light on the [benefits that matter most to them (opens in a new tab)](http://www.benefitspro.com/2018/01/10/what-benefits-matter-most-to-gen-xers) . (Anchiy/E+/Getty Images Plus) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#micro-learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/micro-learning/) [#online learning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/online-learning/) [#Trends](https://associationsnow.com/tag/trends/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoWelcome to ASAE AcademyMarch 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/03/19/welcome-to-asae-academy/) - [VideoThe Graham Report: New CEO Trends in 2024January 31, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/01/31/the-graham-report-new-ceo-trends-in-2024/) - [VideoIntroducing the Graham Report Short Intro V2December 16, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/12/16/introducing-the-graham-report-short-intro-v2/) - [VideoIntroducing the Graham Report IntroDecember 16, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/12/16/introducing-the-graham-report-intro/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F01%2F10%2Fwednesday-buzz-online-learning-trends-you-need-to-know%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !