7 DIY Microlearning Online Training Resources You Can Create Today

Microlearning Resources For Online Training
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Summary: They say that bite-size is best, but can you create a microlearning library for your team without going over budget? In this guide, I highlight 7 JIT training resources that are quick to consume and cost-effective.

Innovative DIY Microlearning Resources

You don’t have resources to waste and the clock is ticking. Employees need support tools they can access just in time, but the virtual shelves are sparse. How do you populate your JIT training library with assets before it’s too late (and they make crucial mistakes)? Fortunately, there are ways to reuse what you already have and create high-quality content from scratch today. There are just two things to bear in mind: it’s a team effort and a little creativity goes a long way. Here are 7 DIY microlearning online training resources that require a minimal investment of both time and money.

1. Productivity Podcasts

Launch a podcast series that you produce in-house. Invite managers, team leaders, and internal SMEs to share their experiences. You can use audio recording and editing tools to polish the raw material. Create a schedule to avoid redundancies and give employees something to look forward to. Ask hosts to develop outlines so they cover the main discussion points and keep them brief. The main goal should be productivity. For example, tips to manage time more effectively or reduce on-the-job mistakes that cause delays.

2. Video Demos

Show employees how it’s done with video demos that highlight complex tasks or compliance policies. Turn your staff into stars or use images with voiceovers to map out every step. This is also a great microlearning online training resource for product knowledge. You can explore the item’s features, selling points, and maintenance instructions in a single video. Yet another application is do/don’t clips to teach the right and wrong way to perform the task.

3. Tipsheets

A quick tip sheet is great to have on hand in case of emergencies. Even minor ones such as how to deal with a difficult customer or reset the POS system. You can draw one up in a matter of minutes if you have the know-how. Or invite department managers to create a new tip sheet every week based on current challenges. For example, one of their employees asked them for help regarding the dress code or safe handling protocols. Thus, they can develop a 5-point list of things team members should keep in mind and mistakes to steer clear of.

4. Infographics

Infographics are the jack-of-all-trades for JIT training. You can use them for virtually any training topic to simplify concepts and make the data easily digestible. Ranging from compliance issues to skill-building tips. Every point in the infographic should be paired with images, graphs, or other visuals to make it memorable. This is particularly important for task infographics that include step-by-step walkthroughs. Employees usually need photos to show them favorable behaviors and set an example. You can use templates to save time and develop microlearning resources that stick.

5. "Lesson Learned" Personal Anecdotes

Everyone on your team has a story to share. They may not be inclined to spill the beans about their personal lives, but their professional challenges can benefit peers. Invite employees to submit an anecdote about an obstacle they faced on the job. It could be that unhappy customer who wasn’t content with any solution. Or the co-worker conflict that came out of nowhere. The catch is that they must include the resolution and what it taught them. What lesson did they learn from the experience and how did it make them better at their jobs? They can even record their anecdote and include visuals to make it a full-fledged reenactment.

6. Pop Quizzes

A few questions can help employees challenge their assumptions and identify areas for improvement. So, why not develop a microlearning online training pop quiz that centers on a pre-existing problem. Such as a task or compliance issue employees struggle with. The mini-assessment is a great starting point since they can disclose the root cause and seek additional support. For instance, every question involves a different sub-topic or policy. Trainees view their results immediately, along with links to LMS resources to fill the gaps. Many systems have tests engines that allow you to create pop quizzes in minutes. Thanks to templates to simplify formatting and get more accurate responses.

7. Real-World Examples

Real-world examples tell a story. A practical story that involves the typical arc and frames the key takeaways. They’re more entraining than case studies but still contain all the essential facts and figures. For best results, include the main character that employees can relate to and form an emotional connection. Then thrust them into a struggle that’s common in the workplace. Explain how they overcome the problem, which skills/resources they use, and the outcome. You can also ask employees to reflect on how the character handled the hurdle and what they’d do differently. If you have more time, transform the example into a branching scenario to let trainees live the experience. Instead of just reading about it and trying to visualize the scenes. They see how their actions and behaviors translate into real-world consequences.

Conclusion

The rule of microlearning is that it must stick to the essentials but still stand on its own. Instead of giving employees fragmented information for the sake of the time (or lack thereof). Every video demo, podcast production, and pop quiz should focus on a specific topic or task to keep it brief. If there’s too much information involved, break it into separate activities and include supplemental links so employees can connect the dots. Finally, recap the objectives and outcomes so employees know how JIT training tools tie into workplace performance.

Does your current LMS allow you to reuse multimedia for microlearning resources? Find the right repurposing LMS for your organization using our online directory. You can search by pricing model, deployment type, and features to choose the best system for bite-size, budget-friendly training.