Michael Lombardo and Robert Eichinger conducted research that lead to the 70/20/10 learning model.  The model states that 70% of your learning should come from hands on tasks and real life problem solving.  20% of your experience should come from feedback and observing good and bad examples.  And finally, 10% should come from courses and learning.

The world of learning and development has progressed significantly in  terms of adopting this model, and Kahn Academy is helping.   It's not just because they are making the 10% of the learning process, courses, readily available on a variety of topics.  It's because they have shown how easy it is to make this information available at such a low cost.  A simple youtube video at the hands of a good teacher, combined with a searchable and indexed format in which to post the educational content, results in a small investment making a huge impact.

Combine these great videos with the latest in audio to text translation tools, or audio search tools, and the sky is the limit.  

Microsoft and others have been providing these types of tools for a long time, and like Kahn Academy, are always incorporating more hands on tools to cover the 70/20.  But there is so much room for improvement, innovation and growth.  I expect to see the education, learning and development market change dramatically over the next few years.  The result will be incumbent businesses disappearing in the wake of those that take the lead as innovators, old or new.

As for the learning environments, I predict that more online tools will play a key role connecting people to hands on tasks for businesses and non profits, as well as mentors that can provide valuable feedback.