Microlearning mirrors the way our brains naturally absorb and retain information. The human brain loves patterns and better retains small, digestible chunks of information. Microlearning is the process of acquiring knowledge through tiny chunks of information, and it breaks things down into short and simple lessons. Tiny chunks of information are delivered through articles, videos, ebooks, and audio. It also follows patterns and repetition, showing the same ideas in different ways and repeating them over time. This kind of learning feels natural and easy.
Science Behind Microlearning
Microlearning solutions align with cognitive load theory, that says our working memory can only process a limited amount of information at one time. If too much information is given in a short span of time, it can lead to mental overload, and the retention rate is highly reduced.
Another key principle is spaced repetition. It states that reviewing the same information again and again builds a stronger neural connection (connection between brain cells). In simple words, when you review something right before you're about to forget it, your brain builds stronger connections between brain cells. These stronger connections make it easier to recall the information later, and with time, the newly added short-term memory converts into long-term memory.
Where Is Microlearning Most Effective?
The effectiveness of microlearning depends on the type of learning and your current goals. It can be used in various circumstances based on your learning strategy. Most often, microlearning is most effective in situations where time is limited, and the information needs to be applied quickly; effective learning can occur within much less time.
Compliance Training
This is one of the most common places where microlearning is used. What is compliance learning? Compliance learning or training is the process by which you can educate employees regarding various regulations, laws, and company policies that govern the office and that have a direct impact on the employees’ daily responsibilities and behaviors. If you’re using compliance training for microlearning methods, then it can lead to increased rates of retention.
Compliance training usually looks tedious and time-consuming and also painfully repetitive. However, this is why employers need to be quick. We all need a revolutionary method that brings effective results and also leads to the design of microlearning modules that can offer a range of advantages when it comes to flexibility of the training time, cost-effectiveness, streamlining of workflows, and increased ease of use.
Employee Training
One of the most significant perks offered by a company is its focus on the human element. In today’s world, companies are constantly looking to improve the performance of their employees. Alongside, they are expected to care for their health, well-being, and safety. Thus, they invest time and money in the education of employees.
Customer Training
Every company values customer training. This is a training that is designed to impart attitudes, knowledge, or skills to a company’s customers by a certain business or industry. If one trains customers, then it can make them realize the complete importance of your products and slowly migrate to more sophisticated usage of said products or services.
Customer training provides an extensive ‘how-to’ guide that can answer most questions they might have while the product onboarding is going on. This is all done at their own pace. Any advanced questions that remain are better directed to a customer support employee or a customer success manager.
Benefits Of Micro-Learning
Microlearning has gained popularity across workplaces, schools, and online platforms over the years. This method of breaking down information into short, focused lessons offers numerous advantages and has become a preferred choice for corporate training, academic learning, and self-paced development.
Accessible And Mobile-Friendly
Microlearning is very suitable for how people want to learn in today’s world. Everyone is busy, and they want to glean information on the go. Their attention span has shrunk significantly. Standalone lessons or micro-courses that can be consumed at their own pace work like magic. Learning modules are normally designed to support learning on mobile, which also provides easier access.
You Can Develop And Renew It Quickly
If you can train through these micro-courses, then it will be beneficial for you (if you’re an instructor) because these are completely effortless, and the production costs are far lower than learning through elaborate courses, i.e., macro learning. Videos that share knowledge in the micro-earning format are ideal.
This is because it is much easier to review short bursts of content, which can also be processed and retained easily by students. The users can learn at their own pace and allot time for adequate study, observation, research, and absorption, with preferred breaks. This is important so that they can be more productive in the long run. On the other hand, great content is challenging to review and update continuously.
It Can Solve Minute Problems Of Everyday Jobs
Very often, we can’t expect 40-minute lessons to be very successful. Microlearning courses are quite essential since they narrow the focus of the subject, educate the learners with the chief points or summary of the topic at hand, and teach them when needed.
It Can Be Consumed Many Times Over
People can revisit the training while they are on the job. They can access the videos from any mobile phone to find quick solutions to problems without the need to search through an entire lesson. Small tidbits of information can help us to review what we learned and can reinforce the retention of knowledge.
The Attention Rates Of Learners Go Upwards
Short content helps retain more information than long-form material. Add to this the fact that this knowledge and information can easily be consumed through smartphones or computers and is easily accessible. This is a format where the learner does not need to be present in person to gain the knowledge yet can get the maximum benefit out of it.
Conclusion
Microlearning is revolutionizing the entire L&D and is bringing about a sea change to the education and training-centric industries. It is also making the jobs of online educators and education-based YouTubers much easier. The ‘bite-sized info’ format can help people find the help that they need much quicker and at their fingertips and also helps with retention of knowledge. Micro e-learning is here to stay!
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