Microlearning: Questions & Answers
What is microlearning?
Microlearning is a kind of training that delivers small lessons in a few minutes. Over the past few years, it has been gaining popularity for its ability to deliver quick, accessible, and relevant content. This educational method includes short instructional videos (usually 2-5 minutes long), infographics, flashcards, short podcasts or audio lessons, and concise written content.
What are the benefits of microlearning?
Microlearning offers a range of benefits for both learners and educators. The main benefit is that it aligns well with today’s high-paced schedules and contemporary learning needs and preferences. Learning with microlearning can be done almost anytime and anywhere,
Since microlearning breaks down information into smaller, manageable chunks, processing and remembering the information being delivered is much easier. It is typically more engaging and less daunting than longer educational formats like long eLearning or instructor-led courses. Finally, with its ability to deliver quick access to knowledge exactly when needed, microlearning allows learners to learn right before it’s applied and typically has higher completion rates.
For training content creators, microlearning is a cost-effective training solution. It requires less time and resources to develop and deploy when compared to traditional training methods. It also efficiently delivers training that matches job-related tasks and performance improvement needs.
Microlearning modules are also easier to update or scale than longer training courses. This means that it is easier for training creators to keep microlearning current and relevant.
Is microlearning effective?
Microlearning is effective because it allows learners to focus on a single learning objective rather than being overwhelmed with extraneous information. It’s also useful for busy professionals and students interested in personal development without committing to long study hours.
Why is microlearning popular?
The widespread use of smartphones and other mobile devices has helped to drive the popularity of microlearning content. Still, the short and focused content delivery is of particular interest.
Today’s learners are often pressed for time and microlearning allows them to fit learning into their hectic schedules. Today’s learners also have diminished attention spans, making it harder to engage with long-form content. Microlearning caters to this trend by offering short, focused content that can be completed in a single session.
Microlearning allows organizations to roll out new content steadily, supporting a continuous learning culture. Microlearning is also much more cost-effective to develop than long eLearning modules.
How is microlearning used in education?
Microlearning applications span various educational settings, including elementary and secondary grades, higher education, and professional development. It can be used as supplementary material to traditional courses to reinforce concepts, review sessions and deliver focused explanations. Interactive activities, discussions, and hands-on learning can also be used as in-class activities or homework.
Microlearning can also be ideal for teaching skills, practicing and applying skills in real-time, and fostering practical competence.
The focused nature of microlearning makes it conducive to creating personalized learning paths that cater to individual needs, pace, and interests. Students can focus on areas where they need improvement, skip known content, and choose learning materials that match their preferred learning style.
What is the process of creating microlearning?
The first step is identifying specific learning objectives and ensuring they align with the broader training goals or performance outcomes. Training creators should consider the target audience’s needs, knowledge, skills, and learning preferences. This will help tailor the content and delivery method to maximize engagement and effectiveness.
The next step is to break down the content into small, manageable pieces that can be easily digested. This process, called chuncking, will allow each microlearning module to focus on a single topic or skill.
The type of learning content will help to guide the most appropriate delivery format(s) which may include videos, quizzes, infographics, interactive eLearning modules, or podcasts. Add interactive elements and gamification, such as quizzes, polls, or simulations, to increase engagement and reinforce learning.
Publish your microlearning to a learning management systems (LMS) or other platforms supporting desktop and mobile accessibility across devices.
Finally, since creating effective microlearning is an iterative process, collect feedback from learners and adjust the content as required.
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