Quick Guide to Microlearning

There are tons of things we want to discover. Hobbies, languages, career development, general facts—all these things are so exciting to learn. Yet, we often do not have enough time for studies. This problem has given rise to microlearning. It is a new trend in education that involves learning information in small chunks. How does microlearning function, and is it really effective? Continue reading the article to find answers to these and a couple of other questions.

What Is Microlearning?

Microlearning is based on the idea of learning information in bite-sized chunks. Its effectiveness is in small but meaningful pieces of information. They are easy to learn and recall regularly. Just like we divide large goals into smaller steps, cutting information in smaller chunks helps to maintain a clear focus. With time, these tiny units of information will form a bigger picture, allowing you to master a certain subject area.

Microlearning can take different forms, including videos, articles, presentations, infographics, lectures, podcasts, etc. The only requirement is that they should deliver a complete thought, covering a certain learning objective. The units of information can function individually or be gathered in a course. For example, the microlearning approach has been undertaken by online educational platforms like edX, Udemy, and Coursera. Besides, TED speeches, language learning apps, and how-to articles are also examples of microlearning.

Here are some areas where microlearning will come in handy:

• staff training;
• employee onboarding;
• addition to the formal educational process;
• learning functionality of the software;
• learning about hobbies;
• refreshing skills;
• learning a foreign language;
• soft skills training.

Advantages of Microlearning

Time-effective approach. Microlearning is fast. You can find an answer to your question even in a one-minute video. If you learn regularly, you will discover a lot of new information without investing much time in it.

Fast results. Learning materials that take less than 10 minutes are easier to digest, and they bring measurable results after each study session. For example, if you want to become better at writing, start with short tutorials on any educational platform. You can also get an example of top-notch writing in no time, just use a make my essay service. It will help you to significantly advance your skills in a few study sessions.

Better understanding and knowledge retention. In microlearning, less is more. People can understand and memorize small portions of information effortlessly because they have a clear focus.

Flexibility and variety. Microlearning materials come in different forms and formats. Regardless of the preferred learning style, you will find sources that will answer your questions. Furthermore, a combination of different media makes learning more effective and provides a richer sensory experience.

Engagement. When you deal with small chunks of information, you are more likely to refer to them more often. Continuous and regular learning enhances retention of knowledge, improving outcomes of study sessions. Besides, small tasks are much easier to start. In contrast, if you know that a lecture will take several hours, you might lose motivation to watch it without even starting.

Narrow focus. Each chunk of information in microlearning is focused on a certain learning objective. It means that you get a well-structured and exhaustive explanation. Yet, do not expect to see any background information or details.

Mobile learning. Microlearning materials are often available in a mobile format. This fact is especially relevant for today’s digital natives. People can learn on the go and use every free minute to discover something new. Microlearning in a smartphone enables the portability of materials and their availability on demand.

Disadvantages of Microlearning

Microlearning is a specific approach, and it will not meet everyone’s needs. Before using it, you need to determine your goals and objectives. Microlearning is not for you if:

• you are dealing with a complex subject area;
• you are looking for a profound explanation of a topic;
• you need foundational knowledge.

Microlearning materials cover one question at a time. In some cases, it can be viewed as an advantage. However, the complex subject matter will not make sense in small chunks of information. A learner might find it difficult to form connections between ideas or see a bigger picture. Therefore, if you need to build a substantial knowledge base, use traditional forms of education. Microlearning is unlikely to provide a deep understanding of a topic.

To Sum Up

Microlearning is an engaging and productive approach when used appropriately. A learner needs to understand its area of application to reap the benefits. It cannot be your only solution if you want to develop an in-depth knowledge of a certain subject area. However, in all other cases, microlearning is a fun and useful way to learn something new or to update your skills. It does not take much time but offers a flexible learning format and fast results. Today microlearning is rapidly gaining popularity, and it is definitely here to stay. Explore what it has to offer.

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