Design Better Microlearning After You Leverage Learning Analytics
In the world of eLearning, one aspect that is gaining traction is the use of learning analytics to improve quality. Learning analytics is basically the collection of data while learners are taking an online course. Learning analytics provide information to organizations using eLearning on:
- The impact of online courses on learners
- The effect on improving performance
- The efficiency of the training
For training managers, learning analytics helps with information such as a learner’s performance, areas where he is facing difficulties, his need for help, or whether he is likely to get through the course. This information helps the management assess the ROI they are getting from the training investment.
Thanks to the advances in technology, it’s now possible to collect data such as a learner’s learning habits, his scores, progress through the modules, the number of times he has logged in to the course, whether he has participated in discussion forums, and more.
Such information collected with learning analytics tools helps training managers determine if the eLearning courses are appropriate for employees, useful and relevant to them. It provides valuable feedback to improve existing courses and to effectively design new courses to bring the desired results. Apart from all these, it also includes microlearning.
Microlearning, owing to its small size has a limited window of opportunity to create an impact on learners. They have to be designed well to create the right effect and bring the desired results; learning analytics can play a crucial role in this area.
It can help you, as a learning developer, in the following areas:
| Microlearning Aspect | Role of Learning Analytics |
| Single Objective | Helps to find out if the objective is being achieved.
If not, it requires improving the design or adopting a new approach. |
| Personalization | Monitors how the learner is performing.
Provides support for difficult learning areas and reinforcement for other areas. Personalized learning experience, based on each learner’s needs. |
| Performance | Helps discover support or learning interventions employees need to perform better.
Information helps in designing assets that can provide just-in-time help or performance support. |
| Results | Help to discover how far the asset has been successful in improving on-the-job performance. |
Let us take 3 microlearning assets and understand how to apply learning analytics to these assets to improve their impact and also create a better learning experience for learners.
1. Videos
Videos are popular microlearning assets. Applying learning analytics to videos will answer questions such as:
- How many learners watched the video?
- How frequently was the video accessed by learners?
- Were certain parts of the video watched more than the others?
It will throw up interesting insights into the correlation between the extent the video was watched and its impact on the learner’s performance in the course. It can help discover how far the instructions communicated through the video helped improve on-the-job performance.
This will uncover valuable data that will help improve the design of the asset. To enable the collection of such data, it would be best to deliver videos through a resource such as a server with dashboard analytics capability, that will give you information such as the number of learners who watched the video and the average viewing time.
2. Infographics
Infographics are an interesting example of microlearning assets that can provide information in a concise manner. Learning analytics applied here will provide interesting insights on how many learners viewed the infographic, frequency of access, whether it was liked and shared on social media, and its impact on job performance.
Enablement options that will help in collecting such information include delivering the infographic with the help of a/an:
- LMS
- The web server that will monitor the frequency of access
- The webmail server that will help assess how many actually opened the link
3. Quizzes
Quizzes are another interesting microlearning asset where learning analytics can be put to use. Answers to questions will help analyze how well participants have applied the knowledge they gained. The use of scenarios and their responses; especially if it’s a quiz on behavioral cues will help gauge areas where they are doing well and the areas for improvement. Correct and incorrect responses will help understand the areas where the learners might need support.
Learning analytics can give the most detailed feedback to help you improve and enhance the learning experience. You can use the data to provide catered learning experiences. As for microlearning, learning analytics will help you tap its full potential.
