Micro Learning Objects for LMS content – Key takeaways from Erica Marten and Faez Ahmed

?? Watch the full webinar on the Power of Micro Learning Objects here ?

On the 24th of September, we hosted a brilliant webinar that dove deep into the world of Micro Learning Objects (MLOs), the modular building blocks that are transforming how organisations deliver training. Led by Erica Marten Head of NAVBLUE Academy at NAVBLUE, an Airbus Company, and Faez Ahmed , Chairman of CEdMA Enterprise , the session was all about how MLOs are making learning faster, more efficient and far more engaging (and efficient) than traditional methods.??

Erica walked us through NAVBLUE's journey, from relying on bulky PDF user guides to implementing MLOs, which answer specific, bite-sized questions like, "How do I run this report?" or "What’s this screen for?" These short, focused learning moments are designed to give users exactly what they need when they need it, without the overwhelming info-dump of traditional training.??

In case you missed it, we’ve compiled a handy FAQ with the top takeaways and insights from the session!?

Q: What challenges did NAVBLUE face when transitioning to a new training approach??

Erica: When I joined NAVBLUE, the emphasis on customer training was minimal, with technical writers primarily creating lengthy user guides in Word documents. The transition to a more interactive and engaging training approach required significant effort from a small team, but it was essential for enhancing customer experience.?

Q: What roles do Micro Learning Objects (MLOs) play in your training strategy??

Erica: MLOs are modular components that allow us to generate both e-learning content and documentation simultaneously, significantly reducing the time and effort required to update training materials.?

Q: How do you ensure consistency and branding in your training materials??

Erica: We developed templates to maintain a consistent look and feel across all content created by our subject matter experts. This not only reinforces our branding but also helps users recognise our resources quickly.?

Q: What strategies did you implement to encourage customer engagement with the new learning management system (LMS)??

Erica: Communication was key. We utilised user forums to showcase the value of the new LMS and gathered feedback on courses. By demonstrating the practical benefits of the new system and how it improved their learning experience, we encouraged greater engagement from our customers.?

Q: How did you handle change management during this transition??

Erica: Introducing the new LMS required clear communication about what customers could expect. We emphasised the benefits of the new format for release notes and how they could engage with the content directly, which was well-received given the complex nature of our products and the regulatory environment of the airline industry.?

Q: How has the feedback loop influenced course development??

Erica: Customer feedback has been invaluable in shaping our courses. We regularly solicit input on what users want to see, allowing us to adapt our offerings to better meet their needs and ensuring that the training remains relevant and effective.?

Q: Have you noticed a change in user engagement with MLOs compared to traditional documentation??

Erica: Absolutely! In the past, we had no way of tracking who was using our traditional 500-page documents since they were stored in shared folders. Now, with the integration of MLOs into our Learning Management System (LMS) and support portal, we can see exactly which resources are being accessed and what’s proving most useful. Users can even upvote or downvote MLOs, helping us identify what’s bringing value. This shift has significantly improved engagement and allowed us to make data-driven improvements to our content.?

Q: How do you collect feedback on MLOs and how is it used??

Erica: Each customer-facing course includes a feedback survey, and we carefully read all the responses to ensure we’re meeting user needs. The feedback isn’t just passive; users can leave ad hoc comments or vote on the content as they go through it. We use this information to enhance our offerings, whether that’s by adding features like text-to-speech, incorporating human voices, or reducing the number of clicks to make the learning process even smoother.?

Q: How have MLOs impacted the learning experience for new users at NAVBLUE??

Erica: New hires, especially from our airline customers, have shared positive feedback about their experience with NAVBLUE Academy. They’ve mentioned how helpful it was to engage with MLOs and familiarise themselves with the product before even meeting with a facilitator or product expert. This approach has shortened the learning curve, allowing users to hit the ground running and be better prepared for in-depth training sessions.?

Q: How easy was it to integrate MLO content with your Learning Management System (LMS)??

Erica: The LMS integration was surprisingly smooth. We export our content as SCORM files, and as long as the LMS supports SCORM (which most do), the integration is pretty straightforward. We typically use SCORM 1.2, but we can adapt to different SCORM versions depending on the customer’s system. This flexibility has allowed us to support larger clients who prefer to use their own LMS but still access our learning materials.?

Q: Have you made any adjustments to improve how users access MLO content over time??

Erica: Yes, over the years, we've made a few tweaks to enhance accessibility. For example, we shifted our simulation-based e-learning to video format to help users get the information they need faster. These small adjustments ensure that our content is both effective and easily digestible for our users.?

Q: How do you handle translations for your microlearning content??

Erica: Given that aviation operates with English as the international language, we're not typically required to translate our content. However, we’ve explored translations when requested by customers. For instance, we’ve created simplified Chinese versions of our microlearning objects by exporting the text into an XLIFF file, getting it translated, and then re-importing it into our system. This allows us to offer multiple language versions while keeping the original English content intact.?

Q: What kind of costs are involved in introducing microlearning and e-learning content solutions into an organization??

Erica: The total cost of ownership for introducing these solutions is relatively low. Implementing the system is quick, organisations can be up and running, creating content within just a few weeks. Additionally, there aren't significant ongoing support costs. It's designed to be efficient, both in terms of setup and long-term maintenance, offering excellent value without ongoing heavy expenses.?

Huge thanks to Faez Ahmed for his insightful questions and Erica Marten for a cracking session on the magic of Micro Learning Objects (MLOs)! In just under 45 minutes, they showed us how these nifty little nuggets of learning can make training more agile, easier to update and far more engaging. NAVBLUE’s use of MLOs with tts performance suite was the living proof that less is definitely more when it comes to keeping teams up to speed.??

?? Don't miss out on our upcoming webinars! We're planning to keep the bar high with plenty of amazing modern learning and digital adoption tips and tricks!?

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