Microlearning in Bite-Size Bits

So, what is microlearning?

Microlearning is a method of training presented in short, direct learning modules that are designed for quick intake, and must be short enough to keep the learner’s focus from start to end. It is important to keep the learning presented in a manner so as not to provide the learner with too much information at once, causing cognitive overload (Major & Calandrino, 2018). With cognitive overload, learners are not able to perform or process the information adequately. This is where microlearning and its usefulness come into play.

Microlearning can be beneficial for all learning environments to prepare for success. Many workplaces require that learners retain and keep up with current technology as technology advances. This requires the employees to maintain a fast pace of working knowledge. With technology changing so quickly, it is not as effective to teach live or instructor-led courses to cover all elements of certain tools. Which is where chunks and bit-sized training comes into place. The training must be relevant and just in time exactly when and where needed.

Another aspect of delivering and receiving microlearning is that it be presented and accessible in various formats, including mobile environments. Mobile microlearning has grown and developed heavily in workplace learning and introduces new ways to learn on portable devices with small, bite-size pieces of information (Lee et al., 2021). Microlearning using mobile platforms, which can be presented slightly differently from traditional eLearning environments, focuses on chunking the content into smaller components and teaching an individual concept or element.

An example of a microlearning training plan and agenda can be found here:

Training Plan and Agenda - C Griffith.pdf

Download PDF • 746KB

The training course for this plan is entitled How to include System Audio when Screen Sharing in Microsoft Teams. This course, which is designed to demonstrate how to enable the system audio from your computer sound when initiating the screen share process in Microsoft Teams, can be accessed here. Focusing on one aspect of Microsoft Teams and allowing learners to only get what they need to be able to perform this task is critical in the current workplace environment. Join me and take a look at the course and training plan, and I hope you are able to learn something new in a few minutes.

Resources

Here is a link with great examples of types of effective microlearning training:

https://elearningindustry.com/effective-and-impactful-examples-of-microlearning

References

Major, A., & Calandrino, T. (2018). Beyond chunking: Microlearning secrets for effective online design. Distance Learning, 15(2), 27–30.

Lee, Y.-M., Jahnke, I., & Austin, L. (2021). Mobile microlearning design and effects on learning efficacy and learner experience. Educational Technology Research & Development, 69(2), 885–915. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-020-09931-w