Microlearning: The Benefits, Drawbacks, and Why It Must Be Contextual


Of course, it's not only about entertaining facts, and TED is just one example of how ideas may be presented in little bite-sized chunks. According to Statistic Brain, the human attention span was 12 seconds in the year 2000.

In 2015, the time was only 8.25 seconds. It's no surprise that microlearning is being considered in the hopes of facilitating effective learning.

Microlearning is a skill-based learning technique in which knowledge is delivered in small, highly concentrated pieces. It's the best approach to find rapid solutions to specific issues.

What makes a microlearning module unique?

Length:

Microlearning, as the name indicates, is quick. An average module takes around five minutes to finish. However, teaching strategy expert Shannon Tipton of Learning Rebels LLC says there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding how long it should be.

“There are no time frames for microlearning. There is no magic time number. It is all about need and context. You want to create a “How-to” screencast, are 7 minutes long enough, and are 5 minutes? It depends. Keep this in mind: “As long as necessary and as short as possible.” says Gurvinder working as a freelancer in Accounting Assignment Help and Economics Assignment Help.

Focus:

Each module responds to a particular topic or inquiry in a concentrated manner.

Video tutorials, audio podcasts, presentations, interactions, games, scenarios, evaluations, text-based job aids, and brief online classes are all examples of microlearning content types.

Mobile-friendly:

Content is designed to be accessed when and where it is needed, making it ideal for learning on a smartphone or tablet.

Overall, there are two key distinctions between microlearning and regular education. First, because microlearning isn't often used to teach basic information, it doesn't provide a lot of background or specifics.

Second, microlearning presupposes that each student is sufficiently self-motivated to seek out and finish their required learning. This may appear to be easy, but it isn't always the case. Even the simplest lesson might be difficult to complete if it includes information or subjects that are outside of the learner's current skill set.

Microlearning will benefit learners with a minimum degree of experience, recognize their knowledge gaps, and are comfortable learning with technology.

Corporate microlearning benefits

Cognitive overload is reduced

Instead of consuming vast amounts of data, employees may obtain little bits of knowledge. This prevents cognitive overload, allowing them to acquire and digest the most important points. They can acquire the necessary skills and information to solve the current obstacle before moving on to the next. Microlearning does not overwhelm working memory, which can only retain a certain quantity of data. As a result, the brain is able to absorb the information and relate it to previously acquired knowledge.

This is related to the first advantage, as less cognitive overload leads to better information retention and recall. Because they have the chance to think on and analyze the knowledge, employees are more likely to recall what they've learned. They can understand how it relates to real-world applications and contextualize it. Microlearning, as a result, defies the "forgetting curve," particularly when employed as a reinforcement technique.

Support in a "moment of need."

Because microlearning is bite-sized and quickly accessible, it's excellent for "just in time" online training. It's also focused on a certain issue. Each microlearning online training resource concentrates on a single topic, task, or learning goal. There isn't enough time to go through everything; just the fundamentals will be covered. However, for modern corporate learners, you might consider producing mobile-friendly microlearning resources. They must be able to access online training courses, simulations, and videos at any time and from any location.

Increases employee involvement and energy

Employees have access to the information they require in a timely and accessible manner. As a result, individuals can solve issues, conquer challenges, and expand their expertise. As a result of the microlearning online training experience providing students with real-world value, they are more engaged and motivated. Not to add that it considers employees' short attention spans, preventing boredom and reducing distractions.

Time and money savings

All of the above advantages contribute to one very important benefit: lower corporate training costs and time. Employees can concentrate on their own performance and skill gaps. As a result, they increase workplace productivity more quickly and effectively. Your employees will be able to use what they've learned right away to perform tasks and fulfill their obligations.

Microlearning in the workplace drawbacks

Microlearning is a type of online training that is designed to be quickly consumable. As a result, more extensive courses, such as complicated online certification programs or compliance subjects, may not be a good match. However, you may augment these online training courses with corporate microlearning tools. Create "just in time" microlearning items, for example, to reinforce important takeaways and boost understanding.

Can result in disorganized or fragmented online education experiences

Online training tools that are bite-sized can be compared to jigsaw pieces. They supply a little bit of information to your staff, but they don't necessarily present a whole picture. As a result, it's quite simple to wind up with seemingly unconnected online training sessions that are fragmented or unorganized.

Create business microlearning modules that support their own learning objectives to avoid this typical mistake. A quick online training session, for example, should go through each stage of the procedure and contain the necessary skill sets. It doesn't have to go through every subtopic or job, but it should offer them a good idea of what's involved and how to use the knowledge.

The processes of reflection and assimilation are critical in the learning process. Corporate learners must be able to relate new concepts to prior knowledge in order for this to happen. Employees are unable to expand on their present knowledge base or recognize the link if corporate microlearning online training materials appear fragmented. Fortunately, adding real-world applications and knowledge refreshers can help with absorption. As an example, as a knowledge refresher, provide a micro-learning simulation that challenges employees to apply skills and information they are already acquainted with.

May not be suitable for long-term objectives

Long-term objectives are complex because they need a range of processes, tasks, and abilities. As a result, they're not ideal for business microlearning. To make the milestones more achievable, you may still employ bite-sized microlearning online training materials. Microlearning online training courses, for example, can assist employees enhances their skill sets or concentrates on a single certification area.

Building an online resource library, not literally, is one of the greatest methods to include microlearning online training materials into your business eLearning strategy.

Your staff will have simple access to online training resources thanks to a microlearning online training repository. Sort the library into categories to make it easier for employees to find what they're searching for. Include any external microlearning appropriate online training materials. The objective is to make brushing up on skills and expanding professional knowledge as simple as possible.

Microlearning: Principles and Applications

The following are the three essential concepts of microlearning:

  • Less is more in this case
  • Deliver tiny chunks of information
  • The student should be stimulated and engaged

Microlearning may appear to be a quick, simple, and enjoyable activity. That is most likely accurate, but it does not imply that it can be rapidly and readily built on the fly! It's still a course; therefore, it has to be planned, created, and developed in accordance with your overall learning strategy.

Microlearning is frequently used by businesses to instruct how to follow a process, complete a job, or use a specific product or technology. Video tutorials, screencasts, audio podcasts, and downloaded job aids are all options for delivering how-to training.

Microlearning is frequently used in the workplace to refresh skills and reinforce knowledge. Simulations, interactivity, video lessons, and brief scenarios are common examples of learning enhancements.

The diagram below shows how microlearning may be utilized to offer a wide range of workplace learning solutions:

Learning need

Microlearning solutions

New employee onboarding

Welcome and introductory videos

Interaction with a timeline depicting the company's history

New hires' FAQs

Compliance training

Video with useful information

Activity-based on a scenario

A game-based assessment activity

Software training

Activity-based on a scenario

Screencast

How-to-do-it-yourself digital jobs help

Soft skills training

Podcasts in audio format

Video with useful information

Personalized results in a branching scenario

Interaction based on processes

Sales training

Variable outcomes in a branching scenario

Instructions for using the product


Every part of the customer support experience is "owned" by call center specialists. A microlearning module is an excellent method to demonstrate a company's five-step procedure for dealing with irate consumers.

Training on sales and product knowledge

For both novice and seasoned salespeople, remembering product information can be difficult. An interactive lesson that explains a product's components and technical capabilities is a quick method to learn (or refresh) important product information.

The exhilaration and bewilderment that accompany the first few days of a new job are common. A firm may use microlearning to help new employees learn their way around the facility, offer quick answers to numerous frequently asked questions, and chronicle its history from its inception to the present day.

Microlearning looks to be a wonderful way to learn in the current business. It's efficient, entertaining, and appealing to students. It may be used as a stand-alone corporate learning solution and complement and enhance larger eLearning courses and even face-to-face training. Microlearning, on the other hand, cannot be described as a "one-size-fits-all" approach. It won't rescue the day unless you have a strategy and meticulous planning.

 

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