Microlearning: An Innovative Learning Approach To Train Your Workforce

Gone are the days when people used to visit a library to hunt down for facts. Modern learners are mobile and tech-savvy, and directly browse the internet for quick answers. Whether it is interactive videos or news updates, it is there at your fingertips. The application of microlearning for workplace training has become very popular in today’s time. Modern learners are exponentially increasing the use of microlearning to impart corporate training in bite-sized content.

With digitization, employees are no more restricted to sit in a classroom, going through hundreds of slides and discussing topics in detail. In fact, they can access online courses from their mobile devices including laptops, tablets and smartphones, anytime and anywhere. Microlearning is not a novice concept as checklists, quizzes, scenarios, videos and cheat sheets are some of its examples. With technological advancement, it has become possible to provide the world with a more efficient toolset to deliver efficient learning.

Microlearning- Its Features at a Glance

Micro content can be structured in multiple ways, but it works best when it follows some of the characteristics as discussed below:

• ShortThe shorter the content, it is easier to understand. Few organizations consider breaking lengthier courses into a one-minute presentation, while others consider it to be a 15-minutes course; there is no such standard length for micro content.
• ChunkedMicrolearning must always cover one or two business objectives. For example, classroom-based training course on bullying in corporate might include different aspects like bullying behavior, its impact and action taken on the same, but a micro lesson would cover only one aspect at a time.
• Mobile-supportedShort lessons are easy to navigate on mobile devices with small screen sizes. Content is aligned the way learners access online courses.
• Precise and relevantIt is crucial to keep the content relevant for every learner; as there is less time to communicate, focus should be on necessary information.
• Just-in-timeIt is important to understand the requirements of learners and then analyze the gap in their knowledge or skills. Microlearning provides just-in-time support to learners, exactly when they need it.

Exploring the Benefits of Microlearning

When large content is divided into small and understandable pieces of information, it enables employees to learn what, where and when they desire. It is an effective learning approach that provides short content which is easily digestible. Few benefits of microlearning are discussed as follows:

• Empowers self-directed learningMicrolearning helps learners control their learning via self-paced approach. It is beneficial particularly for those who have enough domain knowledge on the topic.
• Motivates learnersAs microlearning can be easily accessed anytime and from anywhere, it allows users to get information at the point of need. Consequently, it motivates learners to complete their course on time and retain the information for long.
• Ample opportunities for spaced learningMicro content comes on its own when you consider using it as a part of learning campaigns, facilitating different spaced opportunities. For instance, you can develop a thirty-minute course in the beginning and then create bite-size content in the form of case studies, interviews and more.
• Less cognitive loadCognitive load is the idea learners require to process any information further and microlearning helps reducing unnecessary cognitive load because its shorter and more concise.

Why You Should Use Microlearning

Small chunks of information can be easily delivered to laptops, tablets and smartphones at the point of need. Few other benefits of microlearning include the following:

• Small pieces of information are easier to access and suited for different mobile platforms.
• It aligns to the pace of changing needs of new-age learners, imparting fast and efficient learning.
• It helps providing small pieces of information which are easier to understand.
• Small chunks are easy to remember, thereby improving retention level of employees as they are proficient enough in transforming learning into knowledge at workplace.
• Microlearning breaks information into small granules, so learning mainly focuses on learners’ requirements, avoiding use of any irrelevant content.

Microlearning is taking small steps to big wins. It helps delivering content which is more learner-centric and customized as per job role, skills, department, profile and delivery methods. If learning is personalized, it ensures employee attention is focused on the expertise required to get the job done. Corporate workforce prefers microlearning as it is more interactive, fun and an effective way to learn. Microlearning is best consumed on a mobile device as it mimics the way learners explore the content on the web.