How Microlearning Can Improve Your Training Course

5 min readOct 1, 2020

Time is at a premium in any workplace. We are always looking for ways to get more bang for our buck, including employee training.

It needs to happen, your employees need further training and upgrading along the way, but where to find the time? And if time is not the problem, the efficacy of the training might be. Enter — microlearning.

What is Microlearning?

Delivered in small but power-packed bursts, micro-learning makes a significant difference in the way people are learning and doing their jobs. The learnings are offered in various forms, making them accessible and useful for all kinds of learners.

Lasting no more than 10 minutes, microlearning instructs the employee at the exact moment they need it. Work can flow, and time is not wasted. In addition to being brief, to qualify as a microlearning asset, training pieces have a few common features.

They are standalone pieces of content, which focus on one specific outcome.
They’re designed with an introduction, learning objective, a ‘how-to’ explanation, an activity, and a summary.
Their timing is within the framework of a task to be carried out.
The leaning is based on information that is already familiar to the learner.

Micro learning takes what’s most compelling about learning theory, but strips it down to its most essential components and offers it at just the right moment.

It takes advantage of the most attention-grabbing multimedia, game-based strategies, or other means of engaging the learner. Micro learning may be accessed on any device, smartphone, PC, or tablet. And they can be in the form of a video, a podcast, a blog post, or e-learning.

Examples of How Microlearning Can Improve Your Training Course

Here are a few microlearning examples that can benefit different areas of your training course:

NEW HIRES AND SKILL-BUILDING

Microlearning is a useful tool in closing the skill gap with new hires. One study showed that newly-graduated law students lacked a few necessary skills. A practice-ready, skills-building microlearning program was designed for them.

The program covered five foundational areas, with each one made up of several 2 to 3 minute, practical, task-oriented microlearning bits. Many of the tasks included brief but interesting expert videos and motion graphic animations. It built confidence and competence in all targeted areas.

It’s not difficult to see how accelerated skill development can work well for other new hires. The chunks are targeted, consistent, and accessible. And the system provides users with an ongoing resource for reference.

PRODUCT TRAINING

Aveda created a microlearning program for hairstylists and colorists learning to use the Aveda Hair Color System. The program was designed for mobile devices, so users could access it on the go while they worked.

The program assets built on the basics of hair color first taught in cosmetology schools. It begins with an intro to color theory refresher and then includes a store of short, how-to videos. The program is available for stylists at any time they need it as a quick resource.

COMPLIANCE TRAINING

Ecolab needed a program for compliance training but wanted it to be engaging and exciting. This was a tall order, as the large amount of content involved usually meant too much text on screen and a tedious amount of work and yearly updates.

Ecolab turned their Hand Hygiene training into a microlearning program, consisting of how-to videos, wall signage, stickers, and in-service customer education resources. This blended program was able to be delivered and used in a variety of ways and audiences. The new program consists of employee compliance training, refresher training, sales training, and customer education.

What Topics Can Microlearning Cover?

While most topics may be covered by microlearning (think YouTube), some lend themselves more easily to microlearning.

EXPERIENCES

A popular format of microlearning is experience sharing. A person on a journey of starting a business, or becoming physically fit, or planning a wedding, may share their experiences with short videos. They can share emotions, difficulties, triumphs, and advice for anyone else on a similar journey. It is inspiring and helpful for the audience to see the changes in the sharer as they progress toward their goal.

Life,Cafe is a place for people to share their experiences through microlearning. The platform is all about people growing in knowledge and developing new skills. A wide variety of experiences and lessons are shared, from business to personal life and goals. They make it possible for people to live their best lives and inspire others along the way.

Join Life.Cafe as they help people to grow and educate themselves for more fulfilling, happier lives.

ETHICS

Ethics is the branch of knowledge that has to do with moral principles and compliance of laws and regulations. Every organization requires ethical behavior of its members and employees — integrity, compassion, honesty, and responsibility. And they should do what they can to create and support an ethical environment.

Microlearning assets may help a learner understand how to make ethical choices and how to avoid violating codes of conduct.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Workplaces can have hazards all around — some that we can see and others that we don’t see. Good safety practices must be observed, and everyone must be made aware of potential dangers.

Microlearning videos can demonstrate sound safety practices in chunks of information that are easy to understand.

ANTI-HARASSMENT

Harassment can happen in the workplace. People may be bullied, discriminated against, or face sexual harassment. It’s vital that everyone learn to see its signs and know what to do about it. Microlearning assets can be made available that provide these insights.

Can Microlearning Improve Performance?

In our examples of microlearning programs above, we saw that each was targeted skill-building training or performance support. We also saw that the learners already had a foundation in the topic presented. The microlearning chunks are practical and action-based, so competency is significantly increased as knowledge is further developed.

Is Microlearning Effective?

A study on microlearning shows that 81% of respondents believe that it works best in their work environments. Microlearning is highly valued by employers, as they see the benefits over classroom training or long e-learning courses.

It has been further shown that not only do people learn faster, but they retain what they’ve learned. This is because of the small chunks of information shared; there is no cognitive overload. Learning is also reinforced by quizzes, follow-up questions, and other supplemental resources.

Now that you see how engaging and effective microlearning is, are you ready to reap the rewards for your business and life? Become a creator today.

Why Do Microlearning Works?

Microlearning works because it builds upon prior knowledge without wasting time or effort with unnecessary information. It is delivered right when the learner needs it, and it is targeted to the precise skill required. Many topics may be covered, and retention levels are high.