A shortening attention span and increasing busyness make professional development and growth more challenging. People need shorter and quicker ways to learn while managing work and home. That’s where Microlearning comes into the picture. Microlearning is an on-the-go learning approach suited for today’s fast-paced world. Let’s take a deep dive into Microlearning and its benefits for professional development.
Microlearning refers to snackable, bite-sized content that delivers small bits of knowledge. Complex subjects are broken down into simple and digestible chunks. This content is usually 5 to 10 minutes long and usually is about a single topic, preventing the brain from being overwhelmed with loaded information.
By providing concise and focused knowledge, microlearning allows learners to gain and retain impactful information in small doses. Did you know that microlearning can be up to 5 to 10 times more effective than traditional learning methods? Not only is it catered towards career professionals but is also more efficient than traditional mode of learning in developing your career. Let’s look into the widely-used examples of microlearning to understand how it is practiced in the professional world.
Shorter videos are easier to watch with their concise and captivating video format. Complex information is broken down into digestible chunks to save valuable time for the learner but also deliver everything you need to know. A newer trend in short video tutorials is to make them interactive. This includes adding polls, quizzes, and discussions within the video to keep the learner engaged and assessing how much information they have gauged. An example is a quiz-based learning module that encourages active participation and tests your knowledge.
Mobile devices are usually used on the go which has led to the designing of microlearning content exclusively for mobile users. People can learn while traveling or using their devices at work during lunch break or at home while doing other chores. Mobile learning apps deliver short and interactive lessons in the palm of your hand, making learning accessible and convenient.
Microlearning also involves making real-world scenarios where the learners are able to make decisions. It can give a glimpse into the practical world by providing a short case study or scenario where they can understand the consequences of their decisions in a safe environment.
Microlearning is not limited to videos and quizzes, it also extends to infographics and visual summaries. Information is condensed into graphics that deliver stats and other facts in a visually appealing manner. Infographics and visual summaries usually present data, explain processes, and summarize key concepts.
Research shows that concise and concentrated lessons can improve knowledge retention. Microlearning helps boost the retention of complicated topics. It usually focuses on a single learning objective at a time and reinforces key concepts promptly. It is also easier to revisit shorter content if you are forgetful. While the forgetting curve shows that learners forget about 70% of any new information in 24 hours, microlearning effectively addresses this challenge by reinforcing essential concepts promptly and efficiently.
As the content is bite-sized, learners can study the content that is most relevant, engaging, and interesting for them. Some microlearning AI platforms tend to customize training paths by including personalized characters and storylines to close individual knowledge gaps.
Microlearning content can be easily updated or even replaced with rapid changes in the market. This keeps training material up-to-date with current trends, technologies, and regulations. Therefore, it is flexible enough to adapt to high-speed industries where things change quickly. Its flexibility lends to a scalable model that can easily add more modules and more learners.
Microlearning is often cheaper than other learning formats, be it traditional education or detailed online courses. It can come in handy for small businesses to train employees as the modules have already been sliced into small nuggets of information that are cheaper and accessible.
These modules are meant to be consumed in small chunks of time enabling learners to engage with the material at any time. They can consume it during breaks, in downtime, or commute. With the addition of availability in mobile learning platforms, microlearning is easier to consume on the go. It allows learners to make better use of their time and increases the chances of completion as they can learn whenever and wherever they get a free moment.
On a final note, Microlearning helps learners upskill with the bare minimum amount of time at their hands. It is also useful for employers who want their employees to be trained on updated trends in the industry but also want to make it an easy and accessible process for them. Constantly learning in small nuggets of information can help professionals stay relevant in the long term.
