What is Microlearning? A Case for Shorter, Smaller Bits of Learning

Today, in a world that is continuously bombarded by numerous stimuli all day long, it's more difficult to devote their time and resources for their professional and personal growth. How can we ensure that we can meet the requirements of learning of our audience in this quick-paced, always-connected and easily distracted technological time?

Professionals in the field of learning and development look to microlearning as a solution which could be able to meet this challenge. Creating shorter, more compelling educational modules allows learners to engage with bite-sized chunks of content more easily while still getting an impactful and complete instructional experiences.

  How does microlearning work?  

Microlearning is a method of learning that provides information for learners in brief easy to digest chunks of material (usually between five and 10 minutes). The lessons of microlearning typically concentrate only on one objective by limiting the content to focus on the most crucial concepts and prevent the development of cognitive overload.

Each microlesson works as the foundational element within an overall microlearning course. Together, the entire program may take a few hours, but learners are able to jump in and out of lessons when they need answers to questions they have. Or, when their interest has been piqued, they may be engaged in several lessons a row to dive deeper to learn more. Learning in this way is non-linear. reflects how adult learners seek out new information to tackle everyday issues.

  What exactly does microlearning look like?  

Have you ever searched for short videos or articles for a quick solution, such as changing a tire or solving the maths homework of your child? While understanding the role of tires in the automotive industry, or the history of the Pythagorean Theorem could provide full picture, during an emergency the majority of people search for an exact detail that can resolve a particular issue.

  This is the fundamental principle of microlearning - to create powerful learning by delivering timely, efficient and meaningful experiences.  

To offer learners high value within such a brief amount of time, the most effective lessons that focus on practice and use. When deciding what topics to include in a microlesson, consider, "will this content help learners make decisions and take action?" Real-world scenarios help learners see how they can apply the concepts to their own lives as well as interactive questions give learners immediate feedback that reinforces the main concepts. Other resources such as jobs aids, quick tips and more allow students to immediately use the new knowledge in their daily lives.

  How does microlearning function?  

• The concept is based on the way that people actually learn. Because it focuses on just one concept at a moment, students are not confused by the irrelevant data while the main concepts are more likely to be stored in their long-term memory.
• It is easily integrated into people's daily routine. Since microlearning can be offered on various smartphones and computers and devices, students are able to learn at any time they've got some time to take.
• Microlearning lessons build on existing knowledge and are largely independent, giving learners the ability to determine how much information to look through and in which order. And, even when particular learning pathways are assigned students can finish the course when and at times it is most suitable for them.
• It offers an opportunity to make learning fun. Many microlessons contain interactive games, multimedia as well as games to keeps learners interested in the lesson and excited to come back to learn more.
• It's usually cheaper than traditional e-learning classes. Microlearning courses are usually cheaper to build faster to launch as well as easier to modify.
• It influences behaviors that produce specific results. Learners can utilize microlearning in order to locate specific information right when they require it.

  Training a multigenerational workforce  

As Millennials have entered working in the last 10 years, it's become clear to learning and development professionals that traditional, in-person face-to-face training sessions are not satisfying the needs of this new generation of workers. They "digital natives" typically have low attention spans, and self-interested motives. Interactive microlearning has been touted as the ideal learning tool that speaks to the learning needs of the Millennial in a way that is on-demand, informal and adapted to their needs.

Yet, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers can't escape the demands of our modern-day world. Although those from previous generations may be more familiar with classroom-based training and printed course notes, it can be said that they share similar values with the younger generations, which includes an desire for the most meaningful jobs and maximize their performance.

In all ages, everyone's time and attention are diverted in a variety of various directions. In this case, for example, there's no reason to sit through an entire 45 minutes of video tutorials on printing capabilities when you just need to know how to clear the paper jam. And you certainly wouldn't want to invest in a two-hour training course on exercise science if you just want to know the correct technique for doing the push-up.

Microlearning offers an opportunity to support the learning goals for every student, no matter their age.

  Where does microlearning work the best?  

  Just-in-time microlearning for hard skills  

It's easy to see how microlearning could be a powerful instrument for teaching "hard abilities," such as how to use a jackhammer safely as well as how to take a patient's vital signs. They are not long enough disrupt a student's work, but comprehensive enough to offer them a comprehensive refresher on how to use the tool or enter the room of a patient.

  Microlearning for strengthening Soft capabilities  

However, the teaching of soft skills using microlearning can be a little more difficult. It can be difficult to coach through e-learning methods due to a lack of interpersonal interaction and inadequate evaluation of the effectiveness of training. In order to address issues like leadership, or any other soft skills, it is possible to look into developing a longer-term microlearning program which explore different perspectives and help reinforce ideas.

For example, a microlesson about leadership could be a way to teach specific methods that a manager will require to demonstrate in order to successfully manage multiple projects. After reviewing the initial content, the learner could immediately implement this into their personal everyday life and witness the effects. Practice scenarios in the follow-up that students experience over a period of days could then consolidate the principles for long-term retention.

  Training across topics  

Perhaps microlearning has the most possibilities when used to develop a library of resources across many different topics. Once students are comfortable and comfortable using the microlearning platform and revisit that trusty learning resource, confident that they'll be able to access timely and relevant information that is able to meet them wherever they are on their learning journey.

A robust search engine and metadata tags allow learners to locate quickly the content that they are seeking. In addition, pre-assessments partnered with AI can recommend lessons that are relevant to the learner's knowledge gaps, and the platform will provide suggestions of different microlessons that the user could continue to explore topics of interest.

  The challenges faced by microlearning  

The microlearning method has it's difficulties. There are methods to address these problems to allow your students to benefit from microlearning.

Microlearning is very fragmented. It's critical for each lesson to be unique as a separate online learning unit; however, it's most effective to connect your microlessons as part of a larger learning strategy.

This approach may not be effective for complex subjects. If you have to impart complex skills or processes, videos, virtual simulations or even immersive experiences could be better ways to help students understand all aspects they need to be aware of. But, it could be great value in supplementing using microlessons following your initial education is finished.

Microlearning is not a great way to stimulate lengthy discussions. While you could certainly create microlessons that include reflection and peer learning in subjects that need intensive discussions or simulations microlearning is better to provide additional materials for reviewing important points or teaching concepts that are more objective of the course.

Microlearning does not inherently present a clear learning path. Considering that people don't always recognize their own weaknesses, the autonomy that microlearning provides can leave learners stranded, not having a clue where to the next step. It is particularly true for learners with little experience who may overlook important ideas or vocabulary if they skip between basic lessons. Since microlearning is based on previous knowledge, it's often best suitable for advanced and intermediate learners who have already conquered the fundamentals of their subject.

A Case Study of Microlearning at work

ansrsource is launching the GEM(tm) Experience as a learning resource to help companies and individuals deal with rapid and constant changes by offering information that is timely, relevant, and most importantly accessible. Each GEM (Granular Educational Module) is created to deliver small-sized pieces of information that focus on the technological and social challenges that organizations and individuals face as they seek at transforming themselves and their business. These transformation-centered topic areas include ansrsource's unique Applied Critical Thinking Institute(r) and Inclusion Institute(tm), as well as emotional intelligence, digital leadership skills, and more.

Aimed at an Millennial and Gen Z audience, the GEM experiences often leverage brief audio clips, such as podcasts to convey ideas as well as videos that bring professionals and learners closer to an expert. The additional content is delivered through text and interactives, and each lesson ends with prompts for reflection along with links to further information sources.

The program is modular, which allows learners to design an individual learning experience that is depending on their personal needs and interests. Additionally, they can opt to take a path that curates a bundle of GEM experiences organized around a specific topic. After completing the GEM learning experience, participants earn a digital badge that they can post on their LinkedIn page to prove that they have acquired this expertise or knowledge.

  Microlearning is a way to help you  

Making microlessons is more difficult rather than simply dividing the existing material into small fragments. Here are a few tips to create a microlearning course that students will love.

  Focus the contents  

• Introduce each lesson with "what's going on for me" (WIIFM). The explanation of how the student can benefit from the lesson is the initial step in ensuring a successful learning experience.
• Ensure that your content is authentic, meaningful, and inspires learners to continue learning. Incorporate real-life scenarios so the students are able to apply the concepts in their lives.
• Concentrate on the things that learners "need to be aware of" rather than what's just "good to know." Knowing your students requirements will enable you to keep your attention from unnecessary noises that distract from the main ideas.

  Create engagement  

• Make fun and stimulating content that students want to share with others. Consider including collaborative exercises and participation in interactive ways for learners to inspire them to be in charge of their own learning.
• Employ a variety of delivery media types to address different learning goals. For example, it could be a whiteboard animation to introduce something, an interactive activity that allows students to practice the skills and give immediate feedback followed by a PDF that is downloadable for students to use as a quick reference guide later on the job.
• Use microlearning in conjunction with other training techniques. Peer learning, gamification, blended learning, as well as repeated space can be included in a microlearning programme for further improvement of knowledge retention.

  Enhance the learning experience for learners  

• Consider having a session on how to or a complete FAQ, so that learners with less technical knowledge are able to learn how to navigate the content of microlearning.
• Select a mobile-first strategy, so that learners can access the microlessons from anywhere.
• Utilize catchy titles, concise bullets as well as attractive photos for helping students skim through the text to find what they're searching for.
• Integrate accessibility into everything you do. Microlearning can be created using a variety of tools, many that offer accessibility options within their core products and processes.

  Microlearning is just the latest trend, or will it be a part of the future?  

Microlearning is likely to be on the rise to deal with the increasing rate of social and technological disruption. The traditional, long-running classes might not keep up with topics that shift and change rapidly.

For students, microlearning has the potential to help break the barriers that hinder equitable education such as time, affordability, accessibility as well as the prohibitive prerequisites. For professionals and experts L&D professionals, microlearning is a viable alternative to transform how content is shared with groups of learners.

  Are your learners requesting easier ways to improve their skills and prepare for the changing global realities?  

Microlearning might just be the solution you're looking for in order to decrease anxiety and improve the motivation of the modern distracted learner.