9 Main Benefits of Microlearning
Microlearning is a term that can sometimes be associated with smallness. However, the only thing small about microlearning is the length of the content modules (or chunks) that make up a microlearning course. In all other aspects, a microlearning training course can be as big, complex, and challenging as required.
What are the benefits of adding microlearning to your training and development toolset? Nine of the most important benefits are below. But first, a quick microlearning definition recap.
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning is a training strategy where content is delivered to learners in bite-sized chunks that only take a few minutes to go through. Each chunk is focused on one learning outcome and, when put together, makes up a complete e-learning course.
The Benefits of Microlearning
Microlearning is not suitable for all e-learning topics as the micro approach to delivering each piece of information is not always possible. Where it is suitable, microlearning is a training strategy that offers many benefits.
Reduces Cognitive Overload
Most people in the modern workplace are continuously bombarded with information, from work emails to instant messages to promotional content to news articles on just about every topic you can imagine. Add into that information mix a long, detailed, and often complex e-learning course, and it is easy to see how cognitive overloads can occur.
Cognitive overload is when the brain receives more information than it is able to cope with. In situations of cognitive overload, the ability to learn is severely restricted.
Microlearning alleviates cognitive overload by not only keeping the content sections of an e-learning course short but also focusing them on a single learning outcome. So, for example, instead of giving you lots of different bits of information, a content section in a microlearning course will only give you one. This is much easier for the brain to process.
Improves Knowledge Retention
Knowledge retention rates can improve with microlearning, not least because of the point above. The microlearning approach also fits into how many people learn, helping them to grasp the topic or skill faster, easier, and with fewer barriers.
Easier to Fit into Busy Work Schedules
Workplaces in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly busy. This means employees face growing pressures on their availability for tasks outside of their normal day-to-day. At the same time, there is extensive awareness among employers and employees of the need to continuously improve skills and enhance knowledge.
How do you square this circle? In other words, how do you train people who don’t have time to spare for training? Microlearning is a viable solution as it will have a minimal impact on the schedules of your team.
Facilitates Continuous Learning
Continuously upskilling and adding new skills is essential for employees to ensure they have the skills required by their employer. Continuous learning is also essential for companies to ensure ongoing competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency. As microlearning delivers good results and doesn’t require a significant time commitment, it helps encourage employees to continuously improve their skills.
Suitable for Mobile Learning
Mobile devices are one of the best delivery platforms for microlearning content. This increases the accessibility of microlearning courses as they are available when learners need them on a device they are comfortable using.
Suitable for Just-in-Time Training Content
Just-in-time training involves making training content available to learners, but not stipulating when the courses should be completed. Instead, it is up to employees to complete the courses at times that best suit them. This is usually when the new skills or enhanced level of knowledge is immediately needed.
Time pressures often exist in these situations, making microlearning ideally suited for just-in-time training content.
Improves Learner Engagement
One of the main tasks of an e-learning developer is to get learners engaged with the training course and its content. When learners are engaged, they will learn faster and get a better level of understanding of the topic. The focused nature of microlearning and the fact it doesn’t eat into busy work schedules helps improve learner engagement.
Facilitates Self-Directed Learning
Self-directed learning can bring a range of different benefits, including the high motivation levels that exist when learners have a greater say in what they learn and when. Microlearning can be a beneficial part of your self-directed learning strategy, not least because of the points mentioned above.
Cost-Effective and Fast to Deploy
Microlearning e-learning courses require skill and experience to develop to get the right balance between being concise and including all the information that is needed. They also need to be engaging with a professional appearance. Even with these considerations taken into account, microlearning content is often more cost-effective than alternative approaches, while also being faster to deploy.
Going Small to Achieve Big Results
There are many different training strategies and features you can use in your e-learning courses to optimise performance and maximise success. Microlearning is one of the most beneficial, as it offers advantages both for learners and the organisation. It is also suitable for a broad range of topic areas, and it can help to bring training in your organisation to another level.
