The Magic of MicroLearning

The word Magic sets ups the mind for something that is exciting and anticipation of seeing something unusual and joyful. This exercise of expecting the unexpected ?which is not normal and times baffling opens the mind to new learnings which earlier seemed illogical & unthinkable.

In every generation from Baby boomers, Millennials, ?from GenX to Genz have enjoyed magicians performing on the stage. We have all seen magic tricks like pulling a rabbit out of a hat and making a coin disappear. The magic has? evolved from being in entertainment to another domain of learning & development. With advancement of technologies the technical magic is playing a key role in education of students in academics and learning & development in the training of employees in all work-related activities.

Microlearning is the genre of elearning which has become the defacto standard of training in the corporate world. The magic of elearning is that , it quickly makes the learner master of? a single learning objective which is critical for the learner.

At times when the subject is vast then the multiple learning objectives are broken down to? a single learning objective of a single module. All the microlearnings are clubbed to make the curriculum.

The GenZ and the Alpha Gen being digital natives has natural inclination for small modules of microlearnings and can assimilate the small bytes easily. The attention span of the above-mentioned Generations of learners is in sync with time duration of the modules created in microlearning.

To effectively generate the Microlearning magic which would hold the attention of the learners are mentioned below which would be crisp and fun and will not have cognitive overload on the learners. Microlearning is fueled by the magic of the of Bite-Sized Learnings

In today's fast-paced, digitally driven world, attention spans are dwindling, and traditional learning methods often fail to engage modern learners. However, a revolutionary approach has emerged that is captivating employees and revolutionizing corporate training - microlearning.

Microlearning is the art of breaking down complex topics into easily digestible, bite-sized chunks. Rather than overwhelming learners with lengthy lectures or dense eLearning modules, microlearning delivers focused, interactive content that can be consumed in just a few minutes. This approach not only keeps learners engaged but also significantly improves knowledge retention.

The Surprise, Delight & Magic of Microlearning

One of the key advantages of microlearning is its ability to surprise and delight learners. By leveraging a variety of engaging formats, microlearning keeps the learning experience fresh and exciting. From interactive videos and gamified quizzes to thought-provoking infographics and immersive simulations, microlearning taps into the learner's natural curiosity and desire for exploration.

"Microlearning is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get," says Jane, a sales manager who has experienced the benefits of her company's microlearning program. "One day, I might be watching a short video on negotiation tactics, and the next, I'm solving a interactive puzzle to reinforce my understanding of the content. It's always something new and engaging."

The Ease of Microlearning

In addition to its ability to surprise and delight, microlearning also shines in its ease of implementation and accessibility. Designed to be consumed on-the-go, microlearning content can be accessed anytime, anywhere, on a variety of devices. This flexibility allows learners to fit their professional development into their busy schedules, whether it's during a commute, a lunch break, or a few spare moments between meetings.

"As a busy professional, I used to dread the thought of sitting through lengthy training sessions," says Alex, an IT specialist. "But with microlearning, I can quickly brush up on a new software update or learn a new coding technique without feeling like I'm sacrificing my productivity. It's like having a personal learning assistant in my pocket."

Unveiling the Power of Microlearning

Microlearning's magic lies in its ability to unlock the full potential of modern learners. By delivering content in a format that aligns with their attention spans and learning preferences, microlearning empowers employees to take control of their own development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Whether it's mastering a new sales technique, brushing up on compliance regulations, or exploring the latest industry trends, microlearning provides a seamless and engaging way for employees to expand their knowledge and skills. And as organizations embrace this transformative approach, they are witnessing the tangible benefits of a more informed, motivated, and adaptable workforce.

Modes of Administration

Microlearning can be administered through various modes to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Here are some examples:

Videos

Research indicates that video learning is more effective than in-person instruction, making it a highly beneficial format for microlearning. For instance, Big Think+ offers video lessons on various topics, such as resilience, featuring experts like Tal Ben-Shahar, best-selling author and founder of the Happiness Studies Academy.

eLearning

Learning and Development (L&D) teams can purchase self-paced eLearning with shorter modules or create their own using authoring tools, complete with mixed media, branching scenarios, and short quizzes.

Infographics

Infographics, with their visually appealing design, can convey a substantial amount of information succinctly. For example, digital marketing teams often use infographics to illustrate complex concepts.

Games

Short, interactive games that challenge employees to recall the information they're learning are another engaging tool for microlearning.

Podcasts

With 41% of Americans listening to podcasts monthly, L&D teams can reach learners through brief audio segments containing quick hits of information. An example is the podcast featuring Chris Voss, former FBI negotiator and business communication expert.

TikTok

Although using TikTok in the classroom might seem odd and a bit counterintuitive at first, it is actually one of the most effective ways to give your students "bite-sized content". Usually, videos on TikTok range from 15 seconds to 3 minutes; that’s why it is perfect for microlearning.

Bites

Bites is a popular platform among teachers who implement microlearning for their students. You can use it to create a variety of activities with your students, such as creating a video using your phone or tablet, combining video clips and images, adding a voiceover, and enhancing the video with text, filters, and GIFs.

There are many more modes of microlearning magic tricks. A list of various modes are given below in alphabetical order.

1.??? Alias-like microlearning

2.??? Crossword

3.??? Digital storytelling

4.??? Discussion prompts

5.??? Email learnings

6.??? Fact of the day

7.??? Flipped microlearning

8.??? Group sort

9.??? Hangman

10. Infographics

11. Interactive cartoon or movie

12. Interactive learning documents

13. Interactive timelines

14. Labeled diagram

15. Learning nuggets

16. Match up quiz

17. Micro-assessments

18. Monthly theme quiz

19. Question of the day

20. Quiz

21. Random cards

22. Random wheel

23. Scenario-based learning

24. Short podcasts

25. Short videos

26. Unjumble

27. Word of the day

28. Wordsearch

?

The Future of Microlearning

The demand for microlearning materials is forecasted to propel the valuation of this learning methodology to over $4 billion at a CAGR of 17.95% between 2024 and 2027. This opens a massive opportunity for edtech organizations to capitalize on emerging learner needs.

Microlearning has the power to fulfill diverse learning needs, from onboarding new employees to upskilling and reinforcing existing knowledge. It is flexible, retainable, swift, customizable, and encouraging, making it an ideal approach for lifelong learning in a busy world.

Conclusion

Microlearning is the magic that transforms the way we learn, offering quick, focused bursts of knowledge that fit seamlessly into busy schedules. By leveraging various modes of administration, microlearning can be tailored to suit individual learning styles and preferences, ensuring that every learner stays engaged and motivated. As organizations continue to adopt this transformative approach, they will witness the tangible benefits of a more informed, motivated, and adaptable workforce.