Imagine taking a microscope to traditional online courses. That’s microlearning: It focuses learners on a specific field of view while removing peripheral information. We love this snappier format for many reasons. Here are a few of them.
1. It’s digestible
Courses focus on a single learning objective and typically take less than 10 minutes to consume. With such limited real estate, L&D professionals must strip down training to its essentials. Content becomes easier to digest, retain, and fit into a busy workday—or consume on the go.
Microlearning prevents “information overload” by focusing on a single learning objective. Notice how the minimalist format also makes microlearning ideal for use on a mobile device.
2. It’s engaging
The rise of TikTok is just one example of the shifting cultural appetite for quick-hitting, media-rich content. Microlearning fills this need. Short bursts of training keep learners engaged, and compelling media elements create visual interest while communicating ideas in fewer words.
Highly concise, actionable, and visual—microlearning adapts corporate training for the TikTok age. Employees are more likely to commit to training that only takes a few minutes.
3. It’s relevant and timely
Microlearning also incorporates on-demand learning in the flow of work or at the moment of need. For example, imagine that a salesperson forgets the technical specs of a new product while talking with a potential customer. That employee could quickly pull up a microlearning course about the product on their phone to find answers when they need them.
Microlearning courses can serve as a searchable knowledge base for finding quick answers during the flow of work. Employees don’t have to wade through extraneous information—or wait for someone else to respond—to find what they need, when they need it.
4. It’s agile
Finally, microlearning can be an agile option for sudden or changing training needs. For example, new products or processes, feature updates, and executive or HR announcements can all work well as microlearning courses.
When you need to disseminate information quickly, microlearning can offer a nimble turnaround time.
Get Started Today
Employees don’t always have time for in-depth courses. That’s where microlearning comes in. Add microlearning to your training mix to provide employees with quick answers, refresh or reinforce key ideas, and fit learning into a busy workday or at the moment of need.
You don’t need a specific app to create microlearning. That said, some apps have added functionality to make it easier. If you’re an Articulate 360 subscriber, you can create microlearning from scratch—or customize one of the templates in the article—right from your dashboard. Or, if you’re new to our tools, sign up for a free trial to check them out. The video below provides a short walkthrough for getting started:
Additional Resources
For more tips on creating microlearning, check out these helpful resources:
- Getting Started With Microlearning: 6 Common Questions Answered
- 3 Things You’ll Love About the New Microlearning Feature in Rise 360
- 3 Tips for Creating Effective Microlearning
- Rise 360: Create New Microlearning
And be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and come back to E-Learning Heroes for more advice on everything related to e-learning. If you have any questions, please share them in the comments.
Published 2 years ago
Version 1.0
