What is Microlearning?
Microlearning, also known as micro learning, is an innovative educational strategy that focuses on delivering content in bite-sized learning units. Rather than overwhelming learners with large chunks of information, microlearning breaks topics down into small, standalone modules. These micro learning units are designed to be easily digested and revisited as often as needed, offering flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere.
The appeal of microlearning lies in its ability to provide short bursts of engaging and digestible content. This bite-sized learning approach improves knowledge retention, making it easier for learners to absorb and apply new information. As a result, microlearning has become a popular method in corporate training environments, where it allows employees to build new skills without the need for extended time away from their jobs.
Each microlearning module typically takes about five minutes to complete and focuses on addressing a specific skill or knowledge gap. This flexibility enables learners to engage with training content at their convenience, empowering them to enhance their learning in a way that fits their schedule.
The Benefits of Microlearning
Improved Learning Retention
Microlearning, or micro learning, helps learners retain more information by breaking content into bite-sized learning units. The Forgetting Curve, introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus, shows that learners forget 50% of what they learn within a day and up to 90% within a month. However, repeated exposure to information, like in microlearning sessions, strengthens memory retention. Since microlearning focuses on short, repeatable learning activities, it helps overcome the Forgetting Curve. Companies like Walmart have seen a 54% decrease in safety incidents after adopting microlearning for employee training.Better Learner Satisfaction
Modern learners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, prefer training that is fast, accessible, and engaging. Microlearning meets this need by offering bite-sized learning modules that are often mobile-friendly. For example, BH Media's microlearning-based sales training received a 98% satisfaction rate from participants, highlighting how effective micro learning can be in improving learner satisfaction.Faster Learning
Microlearning allows learners to absorb knowledge faster by breaking down topics into short, focused sessions. Research shows that employees spend only 1% of their workweek on learning. With traditional eLearning courses running 15 to 30 minutes, microlearning, with its shorter format, enables learners to complete more training in less time.Increased Engagement
Learners are more engaged when content is presented in smaller chunks. According to a survey, 58% of learners said they would use learning tools more if lessons were shorter. Microlearning's focus on need-to-know information makes it easier to absorb and apply knowledge. Magellan Health increased its training participation by 80% after adopting microlearning, showing its ability to boost learner engagement.Reduced Development Time and Costs
Microlearning is cost-effective for organizations. Micro learning courses can be created and updated faster than traditional eLearning. As learners complete courses faster, businesses save time and resources. Learning expert Ray Jimenez, PhD, estimates that microlearning can reduce development time by 300% while cutting costs in half.Support for Learning Culture
A strong learning culture requires continuous skill development. Microlearning is perfect for promoting a learning culture since it’s accessible on-demand, shareable, and easy to engage with. This bite-sized learning approach encourages ongoing participation and knowledge sharing within organizations.Boosted Learner Efficiency
Microlearning enhances learner efficiency by delivering one topic at a time, making it easier for learners to quickly apply new skills. Studies show that learners who receive information in small, successive bites outperform those who are taught in longer sessions. For instance, InterContinental Hotels Group cut their onboarding time from five weeks to two weeks after implementing microlearning, leading to faster and more efficient employee training.Solving Specific Problems
Microlearning allows team members to quickly solve specific problems in their day-to-day tasks. Whether it’s learning a specific Excel function or mastering a social media strategy, bite-sized learning makes information easily accessible. This is particularly helpful for distributed and asynchronous teams, allowing them to access solutions immediately and improve productivity.
Microlearning in Different Industries
As microlearning and bite-sized learning time gain momentum, various industries are finding ways to integrate this innovative approach into their existing training frameworks. Let's explore how microlearning is transforming corporate, educational, and other sectors.
Corporate and Education
To successfully implement microlearning within an organization or educational setting, the process begins with assessing the learning needs by identifying knowledge gaps and key skills that require development. Curiously enhances microlearning by providing tools that allow organizations to create personalized, AI-powered learning experiences. The platform helps assess learning needs, identifying key knowledge gaps, and then delivers bite-sized learning modules that are tailored to individual learners. (Click for a demo)
Customizing micro learning content is essential to ensure it is concise, engaging, and aligned with specific learning goals. Whether it’s training a sales team on new product features or enhancing coding skills within a software development team, the content must be relevant and impactful.
Creating compelling microlearning modules can involve leveraging in-house expertise from subject matter experts or utilizing external resources that complement the organization’s learning objectives. This combination helps ensure that bite-sized learning content is accurate, practical, and engaging.
Continuous improvement is crucial to the success of microlearning. Feedback loops, including learner feedback and engagement metrics like completion rates and time spent on the platform, allow for the fine-tuning of content and delivery methods. This iterative process ensures the micro learning experience remains effective, relevant, and impactful for learners over time.
Continuous improvement is crucial to the success of microlearning. Feedback loops, including learner feedback and engagement metrics like completion rates and time spent on the platform, allow for the fine-tuning of content and delivery methods. This iterative process ensures the micro learning experience remains effective, relevant, and impactful for learners over time.
Manufacturing and Transportation
Industries like manufacturing and transportation face unique training challenges due to evolving technologies, retiring experts, and an influx of new employees. Keurig Dr Pepper, for example, used microlearning to train a geographically dispersed workforce by creating bite-sized training videos on topics such as HR compliance, communication skills, and sales techniques. These videos, accessible via desktop and mobile, ensured consistent training standards across the organization.
Technology
As a leader in innovation, Google embraced microlearning with its Google Primer app, launched in 2014. The app offers five-minute interactive lessons on topics like search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, and branding, empowering startups and small businesses to enhance their digital presence. With over 10 million downloads, this micro learning app enables users to learn on the go, whether on a plane or in a coffee shop.
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
Healthcare professionals face high-stakes environments where efficient training is essential. A notable example is the game Dr. Neb, designed to help clinicians treating patients with COPD make accurate prescription decisions. Through gamified microlearning with branching dialogues and storybook-style virtual conversations, healthcare providers can hone their skills in an engaging way.
Merck, a pharmaceutical giant, utilized a microlearning platform to improve safety culture across 52 global manufacturing sites. By incorporating gamification and adaptive learning, the company achieved an 80% voluntary participation rate and saw significant reductions in recordable incidents and injury frequency.