How To Implement Flawless Microlearning
Microlearning is loved by modern learners (according to countless surveys by authoritative organizations). It improves the knowledge retention of learners by a margin as compared to traditional classroom and eLearning methods, provides Just-In-Time learning to learners, which is a necessity in this fast-paced world, and it takes much less time to design and develop, in addition to providing great ROI to the organization implementing it. Microlearning can also be delivered in a number of engaging formats such as videos, infographics, simulations, gamified modules, PDFs and podcasts, which are a maximum of 5-minutes long as compared to hour-long eLearning courses. But in order for corporate organizations to achieve microlearning perfection, they need to know how to implement it in the correct fashion. In this article, let us discuss tips that will help organizations achieve microlearning perfection.
1. Create Mobile-First Microlearning
The modern individual checks his/her smartphone every 10 minutes or so. Smartphones have made us habitual and dependent on them, and L&D professionals can and should take advantage of this fact. By delivering microlearning modules directly onto the smartphones of the their employees/learners, L&D professionals can ensure that employees not only get notified of every new microlearning module, but consume them at a time or place of their choosing. As microlearning modules are only 5-minutes long, as mentioned before, they do not take much time to consume and learners can adjust the consumption of a number of microlearning modules in their whole day.
2. Deliver At Least One Microlearning Module Per Day
As mentioned before, designing microlearning modules takes much less time as compared to a traditional eLearning course, and thus Instructional Designers can create a stock of microlearning modules in advance to be delivered to learners. Because they are short, learners can easily consume one or more microlearning module each day, provided the organization keeps adding more every day. Organizations can get a lot of training done very quickly if they provide learners with more than one microlearning module per day, and also help learners retain knowledge for the long-term through this “a drop a day” method. This method also helps learners build a learning habit, and soon they will be waiting eagerly for the microlearning module to arrive on their smartphones at the designated time.
3. Restrict Each Microlearning Module To One Learning Objective
Of course, this goes without saying, but Instructional Designers must restrict each microlearning module to just one learning objective. Microlearning modules must focus on educating learners on how to do one task at a time, making it concise, straight to the point and easy to remember. While this means that the number of microlearning modules delivered might increase, it won’t be problem if you’re delivering even one module a day to your learners. In addition, restricting each module to one learning objective will come in handy later when learners wish to remember or reinforce how to perform a particular task.
4. Use Gamification
Modern individuals are used to playing games on their smartphones and they love to do so. By creating gamified microlearning modules, you give them something that provides them an engaging way to learn and develop skills and knowledge. Gamified microlearning modules can be played while they are commuting from or to work, while they’re taking a break, or while they’re in their homes. Games are addictive, and if designed properly, then your gamified microlearning modules will be, meaning that the learners will want to play them again and again, and want more, which increases and reinforces their learning.
5. Remove Any Redundancies
Microlearning is not a shortened eLearning module. No. It is learning that is designed to be short and concise. What this means is that Instructional Designers must ruthlessly cut out any content that takes the learner longer than required to comprehend. This means minimal text, and maximum visuals and interactivities.
Following the above-mentioned tips will ensure that your microlearning program delivers maximum impact while engaging learners, and saves precious time. Make sure that Instructional Designers research well and have a look at lots of good microlearning modules on the internet to ensure only the best microlearning is provided to your learners/employees.
Originally published at cblpro.com.
