Schedule An Appointment


Microlearning: Powerful Gains Found in Tiny Packages

Does research suggest that the average adult’s attention span is less than that of a goldfish? Maybe. While that sounds extreme, consider the changes in the past two decades that might contribute to waning attention spans. Trending Tic Tok videos clock in at under two minutes, fast food drive-thru meals are prepared, bagged, and delivered to your hand in no time, and even home appliances such as microwaves and air fryers make cooking practically instant.

Microlearning is a tool for engaging learners and addressing the challenges of shorter attention spans while still mastering essential concepts and skills.

Microlearning is defined as highly relevant, short bursts of information designed to teach a single learning objective. Activities are fast, engaging, interactive, and easily digestible. Although it sounds like a trendy concept, microlearning has been a preferred learning tool for some time. As technology advances, creating new and innovative lessons increasingly pushes outdated teaching tools aside in favor of entertaining and efficient micro-lessons.

Although using microlearning can yield substantial gains, the concept may not always be the best choice for every business goal. Weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of microlearning before exclusively choosing this tool for your learning experiences.

Advantages of Microlearning

Manageable Content

Like chunking, microlearning provides access to small pieces of easily digestible information. Learners can become overwhelmed with too much information when learning something new or in high-pressure training situations. Breaking information down into tiny, entertaining pieces allows learners to absorb and process data without overload successfully. For instance, a three-minute video followed by a five-question review game offers quick bursts of information plus a chance to feel successful when answering the questions correctly. You can also gain fast feedback and learning data for your training evaluation.

Reduces Engagement Obstacles

Boosting and maintaining engagement is the holy grail of the learning journey. You cannot motivate learners to reach their personal and professional goals without some level of engagement. Quick, entertaining bursts of information can revitalize training and keep things moving on the right track. Wandering minds and bored learners seldom walk away from reaching their potential. For example, make problem-solving into a game. Give a list of possible apps that learners can use to find the best solution to a problem they may encounter after training. Give the activity a time limit, reward, and clear expectations. You may be surprised at how quickly motivated learners will rise to the occasion. Elizabeth Barkley stated, “Student engagement is the product of motivation and active learning. It is a product rather than a sum because it will not occur if either element is missing.”

Time Is Money

Efficiency is a highly valued commodity in business. Microlearning provides a focus for training and saves time and money. Confident, motivated learners can apply what they learned, even in a short amount of time, and immediately benefit their company. If the training objective were to improve customer service, focus on different skill gaps by producing a short video depicting possible scenarios that learners could encounter. A group discussion or a “choose your own adventure”-type interactive activity makes the activity engaging and relevant.

Disadvantages of Microlearning

Supplement Accordingly

Specific topics and programs may not be the best place to use microlearning techniques exclusively. While the short, concise activities that keep learners engaged are excellent for restoring attention, reviewing information, and checking for understanding, more comprehensive training concepts are better suited for topics like compliance, safety, and long-term certification. Use microlearning as a supplemental technique to finish a unit or refresh stale content

Organization is Key

Without a clear goal, microlearning can become disorganized. The short, action-packed lessons that hold so much value may lose their impact if the training becomes disconnected. One way to avoid this problem is to ensure each task is part of a chronological unit with a structure that makes sense. Consider including a syllabus or outline to help learners connect one lesson to the next. You could also follow up on each microlearning activity to review the main points, steps taken, and skills mastered. For instance, give access to additional resources, show a video, detailed slideshow, or provide an interactive activity that digs deeper into the microlearning activity’s topic.

Possibility of Confusion

While microlearning is a great way to engage learners with entertaining content, there is always the possibility of confusion, and switching back and forth from one format to another can be overwhelming. One way to avoid this is to use microlearning to connect one concept to another- not necessarily as the “main course” of the training. For example, if you are wrapping up a comprehensive unit focused on customer service improvement techniques, have each learner create and present a short video, slideshow, or infographic that reviews the main points covered in the unit.

The benefits of microlearning are powerful when used in appropriate circumstances. Not every training situation is an ideal time to use these strategies, but they can be a helpful supplement to combat short attention spans. Microlearning can be relevant, engaging, and memorable, and it still addresses learning objectives when crafted with specific business goals in mind and integrated thoughtfully into the learning experience.

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading...

LXcelerate helps organizations design, build, and implement learning solutions for an increasingly complex business environment.

Explore
LXcelerate Solutions
Contact Info

Call Anytime

801-824-0390

Copyright (c) 2024 LXcelerate, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Discover more from Lxcelerate

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading