Does Microlearning Foster Inclusivity?
As microlearning finds its way into more facets of our lives, the more interested in it people become. The way it transforms information into smaller, manageable "bites" improves learning outcomes and has the potential to be used more widely than traditional methods of learning. In this article, we'll see why microlearning promotes inclusivity and how you can utilize it in your inclusive learning program.
What Makes Microlearning Inclusive?
Personalization
Microlearning modules can be designed to cater to the specific needs and interests of individual learners. People can choose their own form of content, the device from which they'll access it, and their desired topics. As a result, they can learn with content that's meaningful and relevant to them. For example, learners with learning or other disabilities can find content that is relatable or even made by people with the same background and experience. This creates a connection and helps learners be more motivated in the process.
Accessibility
Microlearning content is flexible and can be accessed on demand. Learners are able to choose when and where they want to access it, thus accommodating different learning preferences and schedules. This is especially important for learners with busy schedules or even disabilities. Specifically, learners in need of accessibility features can have endless options, like videos with closed captions or audio descriptions, transcribed text, subtitles, and visual aids. Most importantly, learners with disabilities can access the microlearning content from their own devices, which already have the right settings for their individual needs.
Bite-Sized Information
People with attention deficit disorders and learning difficulties may find that smaller pieces of information help them understand the learning material better. Also, manageable-sized learning material helps them focus their attention more effectively, as they won't feel overwhelmed by the amount of information presented at once. Lastly, learners with attention deficit disorders often feel more engaged, as microlearning content is perfectly designed to be consumed in just a few minutes.
Cost-Effective
Microlearning modules can be produced quickly and easily, which helps reduce the overall cost of Instructional Design. At the same time, it's an affordable choice for online learners too, as it is widely available through social media in the form of videos, infographics, and articles. This makes learning accessible to people who may not have the financial resources to participate in traditional learning programs.
How To Implement Microlearning In Your Inclusive Learning Program
1. Identify Learning Objectives And Audience
Before creating your microlearning content, you need to ask some questions. What's the learning need? What topics are you going to cover? What's the schedule for this plan? You must also define the knowledge skills and competencies that you want learners to acquire through microlearning and how your learning program can support these goals. This will help to ensure that the modules are designed to meet the specific needs of the learners. Also, it's important to consider the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the learners, as well as potential barriers that may impact their ability to engage with the material.
2. Design Microlearning Modules
The content you create should be visually appealing and engaging while also being informative and accessible for all learners. Training modules should be focused on specific topics or learning objectives and provide learners with the information and skills they need to achieve them. It's also important that your content is up to date and relevant to your learners' needs and interests. Microlearning can be delivered in a variety of formats, including text, video, audio, and interactive components. However, when choosing a format, have in mind your learners’ preferences and accessibility. Lastly, microlearning content should be interactive, providing learners with opportunities to apply their knowledge and practice their skills. This can involve quizzes, assessments, and case studies.
3. Deliver The Modules
When delivering microlearning modules, it's important to consider accessibility, making sure they're available in various formats and compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers. You also have to choose a platform that will host them. It can be a Learning Management System, a mobile app, or a social media platform. Consider the security issues, though. Additionally, you have to deliver them on a flexible schedule and provide learners with clear instructions and guidelines for completing them. Finally, you should track and assess microlearning modules to ensure that learners are accomplishing their goals and objectives. This can involve forms of feedback, as well as monitoring their progress and providing support as needed.
4. Evaluate The Process
You need to monitor the effectiveness of your program and make changes when necessary to improve the learning experience. To evaluate your microlearning program, you may want to conduct surveys, focus groups, or interviews to get input from your learners. You can ask them how satisfied they are with the program, how engaged they feel with the modules, and if they believe the program is effective. Based on their answers, you can make adjustments to improve the process. This may require you to revise content, change the format or length of lessons, or provide additional support resources for learners.
6 Examples Of Inclusive Lessons
Accessibility And Inclusion
Focus on lessons that cover topics of accessibility and inclusion in the workplace or even in school. Those could include ways to create an inclusive culture, understanding and accommodating different learning requirements, and using assistive technologies to support learners with disabilities.
Unconscious Bias
Unconscious bias can be a barrier to creating an inclusive workplace or educational environment, as it can lead to unfair treatment or limited opportunities for certain groups of people. A module on this topic could provide learners with an overview of the issue and how it can impact decision making and relationships in the workplace.
Cultural Competence
A microlearning lesson on cultural competence can help learners develop the skills and knowledge to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and create a more welcoming and inclusive environment. Some topics could cover the term "diversity," help learners understand its different dimensions, or cover cultural awareness.
Mental Health Awareness
Your learners should familiarize themselves with the concept of mental health and common conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The lessons should also focus on reducing the stigma associated with those conditions and strategies to support their peers who may experience challenges with their mental health. It's also necessary to highlight the importance of self-care and stress management.
Workplace Ethics
An inclusive learning program should also cover the topic of ethics in the workplace, with an understanding of ethical principles and how to apply them in different situations. You could present learners with scenarios of ethical dilemmas and ask them how they would respond. This promotes a culture of integrity, honesty, and accountability.
Inclusive Communication
It's important to teach learners about strategies for communicating more inclusively. This includes respectful language, avoiding stereotypes and assumptions, and actively listening to others. This way, your learners can be empathetic communicators and culturally sensitive, fostering stronger relationships between colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
Conclusion
Implementing microlearning in your inclusive learning program can be a powerful tool for creating a more accessible, engaging, and effective learning experience for all learners. Following the above steps will help you foster a welcoming learning environment where learners express themselves and thrive, no matter their background or abilities.
