Let's play “Is it Microlearning, or not?”

So, #microlearning is hard to define and challenging to design well. After reviewing scholarly articles and attempting a microlearning module myself, I decided the best way to reflect on this mode of learning is to play a game with you.?

What exactly is Microlearning??

First, what is microlearning? Tipton (2022) defines it this way: "Microlearning is short bursts of focused right-size content to help people achieve a specific outcome" (p. 38). I love this over-arching definition because it hits on the most important aspects of microlearning: It’s short, focused on one outcome, and contextual. Yet this doesn’t offer all the traits of microlearning.?

"Microlearning is short bursts of focused right-size content to help people achieve a specific outcome"

Mery (2022) offers the following key ingredients (p. 10):?

• An “entire lesson," meaning it contains the below elements but in a focused manner?
• Content, including interactive elements and multimedia?
• Guided learning with user-friendly language?
• Immediately applicable to the job context?
• Opportunities for practice?
• Assessment spots with feedback?
• A shorter length, being less than 6 minutes or less?

Most of the research agrees microlearning is short, but there is not agreement on the exact length. Tipton (2022), for example, contends microlearning should be "as long as necessary and as short as possible" (p. 38). She does not offer a specific timeframe for microlearning. Though there is not agreement on length, the research recommends microlearning should be a short as possible to meet the module’s outcome.?

What about the flow and structure of microlearning? Jahnke Isa et al. (2020) summarize four instructional steps inherit in microlearning (p. 611):?

1. An "ah-ha moment” to cue prior knowledge and showcase the relevance of the topic at hand.?
2. Interactive content for the learner to engage with text and multimedia in a give-and-take. They contrast this with one-way learning like reading a textbook.?
3. Short exercises in forms of quizzes or other gamified activities.???
4. Instant feedback, addressing whether answers were correct or not.?

With all this mind, let’s play a couple rounds of “Is it Microlearning, or not?”!?

Is it Microlearning, or not??

Round 1: An informational sign at the zoo?

You’re leaning over a wooden rail, watching a camel chew its food. You wonder where camels live and look around for a zoo employee to ask. ?

Instead, you spot a small sign that has the word “Camels” big and bold. It has a simplified visual map of where you can find camels in the world, details on their habitats, and the types of food they eat. After reading it, you go back to watching the camel.?

Is it microlearning, or not? Take a moment and think if it fits most of the above criteria we discussed, and then write down your answer (we’ll review answers at the end).?

Round 2: A chapter from a book on learning Greek?

You’re trying to learn ancient Greek so you can understand the historical context and words of the New Testament. You begin a new chapter that starts with a quick overview of the words you’re learning:?

Once you have chance to review, you begin a “Translate” section. You hold up a nearby napkin to cover up the righthand-side column that contains the answers. You read the sentences in Greek out loud, attempting to translate them into English in your head. Once you feel you’ve got an answer, you reveal the first answer from the righthand column:?

The answer on the right either confirms you translated it correctly, demonstrates what you may have missed, or offers an alternative way of translating the Greek on the left.?

Is it microlearning, or not? Take a moment and think if it fits most of the above criteria we discussed, and then write down your answer (we’ll review answers at the end).?

Round 3: A responsive eLearning module?

?You want to learn more about how you can improve your instructional writing to engage learners. So, you dive into a short module that offers three tips on improving your instructional writing. ?

Check it out here!?

Each section has short tips, examples, and a knowledge check for practice at the end.?

Is it microlearning, or not? Take a moment and think if it fits most of the above criteria we discussed, and then write down your answer (we’ll review answers at the end).?

Is it Microlearning, or not? (Answers)?

Okay, it’s time to review which ones are microlearning or not!?

What did you say for the Zoo sign on camels? ?

• It’s short (check)?
• It offers some knowledge (check)?
• It’s interactive (nope)?
• It’s a whole lesson (nope)?
• It offers practice and immediate feedback (uh oh)?

This is where the zoo sign falls short. It’s a great example of a just-in-time learning or a type of job aid, but it does not fulfill the criteria for microlearning. It’s missing assessment, feedback, and interactivity. Mery (2022) would agree because something like a zoo sign is not “complex” enough and is only a “snippet of text” (p. 10). ?

What about the book on learning Greek??

• It’s short (check)?
• It offers some knowledge (check)?
• It’s interactive (yes, the reader physically interacts with translations)?
• It’s a whole lesson (check)?
• If offers practice and immediate feedback (ding-ding-ding!)?

Though some may disagree with me, I believe this short chapter is a great example of microlearning in a medium we wouldn’t expect. Typically, we think of modern, mobile microlearning when we think of microlearning. But if we use the criteria set forth from the research above, a well-designed instructional book with plenty of practice and feedback could definitely be considered microlearning. To be honest, this book on Greek is one of the most effective learning instruments I’ve ever encountered since it mirrors having a language instructor constantly offering feedback on your progress with a new language.?

What about the short module on instructional writing??

I created this module recently to address a common pain point other L&D professionals shared via a LinkedIn poll . To be honest, I purposely attempted to create microlearning with this module. But let’s see if it fits the criteria:?

• It’s short (well, each section is)?
• It offers some knowledge (check)?
• It’s interactive (check)?
• It’s a whole lesson (check)?
• It offers practice and immediate feedback (check)?

Though I’m biased and feel my short module is microlearning, here’s the part I’m not sure about: Is the entire mini course an example of microlearning, or would only each section be considered microlearning? My gut says, yes to both based on the above criteria. Especially since the module offers quick practice and specific feedback, I believe it meets the criteria for microlearning. However, it probably needs improvement like more practice and engaging multimedia.

What do you think?

Thanks for playing “Is it Microlearning, or not?” with me! I wanted to take a tour of what the research says microlearning is and then have us immediately apply it here. Oh wait...does this mean this blog post is an example of microlearning? I think so. (:?

• So, what were your answers? ?
• Do you have a cool example of effective microlearning? ?
• Do you have other research which provides more nuance on what constitutes microlearning?
• Would you like to expand, discuss, or disagree on the above?

Please share your comments below!?

References?

• Dobson, J. H. (2009). Learn New Testament Greek (3rd ed.). Piquant Editions Ltd.?
• Jahnke Isa, Yen-Mei, L., Pham Minh, He, H., & Austin, L. (2020). Unpacking the inherent design principles of mobile microlearning. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 25(3), 585–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-019-09413-w ?
• Mery, Y. (2022). Chapter 2: A case for microlearning. Library Technology Reports, 58(5), 10–13.?
• Tipton, S. (2022). Small-scale learning can reap big rewards: Myths about microlearning are preventing the modality from being as effective as it can be. TD Magazine, 76(5), 36.?