The Microlearning Meetup Newsletter #4

WELCOME to The Microlearning Meetup newsletter 4

I've been heartened recently by the breadth of what microlearning providers are offering in the microlearning space. These are dedicated microlearning providers, passionate about microlearning, passionate about their product, looking to raise the level of conversation about all the different aspects of microlearning and how it can be used as an effective learning tool, alongside (not in competition with) more traditional learning approaches.

With this in mind, we'll check out some of the different approaches various providers are adopting, how Grovo trademarked the term 'microlearning' in 2017, as well as all the usual video spotlights, microbites and upcoming events over the next month or two or three.

Happy creating!

guy

#microlearning?#themicrolearningmeetup

The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are mine, and are in no way connected to my employer, or any individuals or companies that may be mentioned in this newsletter.

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1. MICROLEARNING LANDSCAPE*

While there are numerous dedicated microlearning providers adopting a variety of different approaches, they can be roughly organised into three categories**:

1. Create: Enables users to create their own microlearning content. The completed microlearning asset can also be consumed. Providers in this space include 7taps Microlearning , Gnowbe , Surge9, TalentCards , RingoRang, Qstream amongst others. The content is typically a mix of video, text and images. There is a rich variety of use cases in how the content being created/curated is then used including prototyping, learning companion, self-paced course, onboarding. While some of these applications take us to the fringes of what some might define as microlearning, we can also look at it and say that the definition of microlearning is perhaps being extended.
2. Consume: Provides pre-packaged microlearning content on a variety of different topics; typically as a video. Providers in this space include 5Mins, Grovo , RapL Inc , Thomson Reuters Microlearning amongst others. One of the potential challenges to be thought through with this approach is ensuring you have a large enough microlearning library covering a variety of topics that are attractive to potential clients, including learners simply going to YouTube or Google for their own immediate learning needs. Even so, companies like 5Mins.ai are offering both highly engaging videos, covering relevant and current power skills, packaged together in a very appealing gamified, learning experience.
3. Message-based microlearning ('MBM'): Provides microlearning via message-based apps such as WhatsApp, SMS, Slack, Teams. Providers include Arist,?Ekatra,?Mobile Coach,?Zick Learn,?Authoritive,?Yarno amongst others. The appeal of this approach is simplicity and convenience: the majority of people have cellphones, and learning can be delivered to meet a learner's needs.

It should also be noted that the providers within each category offer different use cases, features, and pricing models. Many link gamification with microlearning, offering leaderboards and points for consuming content and completing quizzes. Encouragingly many are also underpinning the design of their product with relevant learning theories and techniques around spaced repetition and cognitive load theory amongst others.

The different offerings and subscription models also ensures that everyone is catered for, from the one person band through to small, medium-sized businesses, and larger global corporates. Many of the creators offer free starter options as well.

From a L&D perspective, I believe some of the challenges with regards to venturing into the microlearning space are:

• understanding the potential microlearning offers (ie. scale, cost-saving, immediacy, convenience, engagement)
• deciding the kind of microlearning approach that works for their organisation (create, consume, learning companion, and/or message-based microlearning)
• that microlearning isn't simply a 3 minute video or a 60 minute video cut up into 10 six minute videos (education)
• importantly, determining where it might fit into an overall L&D strategy, alongside all the other priorities.

There is no doubt that microlearning can meet (perhaps even exceed) the needs of an organisation to scale and be cost effective in terms of the learning they provide. Where microlearning goes further, is in its potential to provide a delightful experience 'in the flow of work' for the learner that delivers on immediacy and convenience.

Whilst microlearning is not a magic salve, there is no doubt it is here to stay, and should be considered sooner rather than later as a key part of any learning strategy.

*There are many more microlearning providers than the ones I have listed, these are just some of the ones I have come across.

**I have not included those providers which offer microlearning as part of a more comprehensive LMS platform ('mobile-friendly'), but those which have designed a platform with microlearning specifically in mind ('mobile first').

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2. WHAT'S ON IN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER

How to get buy-in for microlearning in your organization (6th Oct, 15:30 - 16:15 (UK)): Need advice on promoting microlearning within your organization and getting?buy-in, then join this 7taps Microlearning webinar, led by Karl Kapp . Sign up for the webinar and get a chance of winning?a 1-year L&D Mentor Academy Scholarship. Register here.

Microlearning Conference Episode 6 (13th Oct, 16:00 EST):?60 minute free, online conference brought to you by?7taps Microlearning?with speakers to be announced. Always a roller-coaster ride. Get your ticket?here.

What can microlearning learn from Webtoons, Anime and TikTok (20th Oct, 10:30am (UK)): In this event hosted by The Microlearning Meetup, hear from hyeonmi kim , Francis Laleman and others. Register here.

Microlearning for Disruptive Results (30th Nov - 14th Dec, 11:00 - 13:00 PST):?An in-depth, hands-on microlearning implementation workshop for eLearning designers, developers, training and learning specialists, etc brought to you by?Vignettes Learning. Cost US$675. Register?here.

Microlearning: Learning in the Workflow (8th Dec, 18:00 PM - 19:00):? This event by WeLearn Learning Services will focus on how microlearning can be integrated into the learning path an organization uses to develop and train employees. Register here.

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3. VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

This is the recording from The Microlearning Meetup's latest webinar featuring Ben M. who shared his thoughts on the power of infographics. In this session, Ben looked at what infographics are and what they are not. He delved into the basic principles of visual storytelling and how to create a powerful visual narrative that makes your point.

All the recordings from previous sessions of The Microlearning Meetup can be found on our YouTube channel.

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If you'd like to join?The Microlearning Meetup?['TMMUP'] group on LinkedIn, we'd love to see you there. You'll find lots of interesting articles, videos, and opinions on microlearning. Just click on the link to join -?bit.ly/tmmup.

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4. MICROBITES

Here's the recording from a recent webianr by Vince Han ( Mobile Coach ): How to use a chatbot to deliver the ideal learning nudge.

Lots of great recordings about the different way organisations are using microlearning can be found on 7taps Microlearning YouTube channel: click here.

Have a look through the 2022 Learning Trends Report from TiER1 Performance . While it is impacted by the events of lockdown, it's great to see microlearning appear in the list of methods used for the first time by organisations in 2022 [p36].

Microlearning scholarships with Gnowbe:?If you're interested in becoming certified in microlearning, then do consider Gnowbe's Microlearning Instructional Design Level 1 program. Gnowbe is giving away US$10 million in scholarships for recipients to earn their Microlearning Instructional Design (MID) Level 1 Certification (worth $497) for FREE.

Check out another video below from the microlearning series being put together by Nidhi Sachdeva, PhD - Depth Processing Models. For the whole series, go to 'How Learning Happens'.

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5. FOR THE FUTURE

Actually, for this newsletter we're going back to the past, back to 2017 when Grovo were successful in trademarking the term 'microlearning'. It's interesting to understand their reasoning, but also equally to consider what would have happened if they had enforced it. Here are a few articles about it, if it's something you're interested in. Enjoy.

MICROLEARNING - Trademark Details

Grovo Secures Microlearning Trademark

What’s In a Name? The Story of Microlearning

"Alternative Micro Learning" (talking about Grovo's new trademark on "Microlearning")

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LINKS:

• The Microlearning Meetup group on LinkedIn:?bit.ly/tmmup
• The Microlearning Meetup YouTube channel:?bit.ly/microlearningvideos