Organizations will have to contend with a number of new federal regulations in early 2017, according to HR Dive. The will include changes to paid sick leave rules for federal contractors, new rules for electronic employee injury report submissions by OSHA, and stricter safety measures for employees handling hazardous chemicals. In addition, new laws passed on the state level will add other compliance requirements.

Employers need to think about how they will train workers for these new rules. Depending on the particular regulation, different departments may have different responsibilities, all of which must be addressed.

Businesses can meet their compliance training requirements with e-learning software. Demand for this product is growing, and designers are working to advance the technology.

Here are some trends that e-learning designers have been exploring:

• Multiple devices: It can be inconvenient to force employees to sit down in front of a specific computer to take an e-learning course – especially as telecommuting becomes more popular. As mobile usage surpasses that of desktop computers, it’s important to develop e-learning software that can function on any platform.
• Minimalist design: If software is too cluttered, it becomes difficult for users to find their way around and retain important information. This is the last thing any designer wants for an e-learning app.
• VR experimentation: Virtual reality technology has made impressive strides in recent years, and is now more accessible than ever before. Samsung even supports the Gear VR, a headset that simply requires a Samsung smartphone. Designers can try to create VR software that will help teach high-risk tasks, such as heavy machinery operation.