Microlearning 101: Using a Little Learning to Grow Big Skills
Data from Statistic Brain shows that in the year 2000, the human attention span was 12 seconds. In 2015, it amounted to just 8.25 seconds. No wonder microlearning is looked to with the hope of creating effective learning.
What Is Microlearning?
Microlearning is a skill-based approach to learning that delivers information in small, highly focused chunks. It is the ideal way to find quick answers to specific problems. To get a quick overview of the process, watch the video tutorial below.
Let’s see what’s special about a microlearning module:
Length: As the name implies, microlearning is fast. A typical module can be completed in about five minutes. However, there are no hard-and-fast rules about its length, as learning strategy expert Shannon Tipton of Learning Rebels LLC explains:
“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, is 7 minutes long enough, is 5 minutes? It depends. Keep this in mind: “As long as necessary and as short as possible.”
Shannon Tipton, Learning Rebels LLC
Focus: Each module provides a focused answer to a single problem or question.
Variety: Microlearning content types include video tutorials, audio podcasts, presentations, interactions, games, scenarios, assessments, text-based job aids, and short online lessons.
Mobile-friendly: Content is meant to be accessed at the point of need, which makes it a perfect way to learn on a smartphone or tablet.
All in all, there are two main differences between microlearning and traditional learning. First, microlearning doesn’t include a lot of context or details, because it is not generally used to teach basic knowledge.
Second, microlearning assumes that each learner is self-motivated enough to seek out and complete the learning they need. This may sound simple, but it often is not. Completing even the shortest lesson can present a challenge if it covers knowledge or topics that are beyond the learner’s current skill set.
Learners who have a basic level of expertise, who can identify their knowledge gaps, and who are comfortable learning with technology will gain the most from microlearning.
The Benefits of Microlearning
Is microlearning popular because it works, or does it work well because it’s popular? The answer might be a little of both.
Millennial and Generation Z learners – the “digital natives” of today’s workforce – tend to prefer learning that is customized to their needs, informal in style, and available on demand. Microlearning meets all of these requirements and more:
A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that microlearning was 17% more efficient in transferring knowledge than typical classroom training. Researchers found that information delivered in short, focused chunks was easier to comprehend and recall than the same learning delivered in a longer, more comprehensive format.
Learners also tend to engage with microlearning more often, which increases learning retention. Performing learning activities over time helps transfer knowledge into our long-term memory.
Organizations have found that making learning available at the point of need is a seamless way to blend learning into the regular flow of work activities. This helps to support a culture of learning and increases overall productivity.
Learning and development professionals have embraced microlearning as a way to create and manage easily consumable content that appeals to trainees. Senior leadership favors microlearning as a satisfactory way to create cost-effective learning.
The Disadvantages of Microlearning
For all its benefits, microlearning is not the answer to every learning need. It cannot be used to deliver broad, foundational knowledge on any topic, because, by definition, it focuses on solving one problem or answering one question at a time. Microlearning is also not a good way to learn analytical skills or explore cause-and-effect relationships, as these activities typically require time for both planning and reflection. It’s also important to consider that on-demand microlearning is a great learning amenity, but that same microlearning is useless if it’s not found right at the point of need.
A common misconception is that any course can be transformed into microlearning just by chopping it up into smaller pieces. This is incorrect; what you’ve really done is to chunk the content. Chunking can be a good way to organize information into small, easily understood learning nuggets. The chunked content must be combined with the rest of the learning content to create a complete course. However, microlearning isn’t just sliced and diced content. It’s a strategy where independent learning units work for a single purpose and are part of the total learning picture.
Principles and Applications of Microlearning
The three basic principles of microlearning are:
Less is more
Deliver in small segments
Stimulate and engage the learner
It might appear that microlearning is something fast, easy, and fun. That’s probably correct, but it doesn’t mean that it can be developed quickly and easily on the fly! It’s still a course and should be planned, designed, and developed to align with your overall learning strategy.
“A big mistake in microlearning is developing without a plan. A strategic plan for use and management is important. You must plan for versioning, hosting and management. Who is going to review the content before it is sent to the masses? Is the content going to be subject matter expert-generated or user-generated with SME approval? Microlearning might be small but it needs a plan.”
Shannon Tipton, Learning Rebels LLC
Corporations often use microlearning to deliver training on how to follow a process, perform a task, or use a specific type of tool or technology. How-to lessons can be delivered in a number of ways: as video tutorials, screencasts, audio podcasts, or downloadable job aids.
Microlearning is also often used to refresh skills and reinforce knowledge in the workplace. These types of learning boosts are often created as simulations, interactions, video tutorials, or short scenarios.
Microlearning Examples
High-quality microlearning engages the learner from start to finish. Here are some of the most popular practices that will help you visualize what this is about:
Learning paths on various topics (as those seen at Khan Academy and Lynda.com)
Short educational videos (like TED-Ed)
Video tutorials and how-tos (for example: iSpring Suite tutorials)
Educational channels, accounts, and groups in social networks (check out @nasa on Instagram, for instance)
Language learning services (such as DuoLingo)