LearningLab:MicroLearning

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Introduction: An evolving landscape

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How people learn has changed dramatically.

What happened?

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The Modern Learner: Overwhelmed

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The Modern Learner: Overwhelmed

The overwhelmed 2015 learner requires four conditions for success:

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MicroLearning: What is it?

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MicroLearning—defined as learning in short, digestible, bite-sized units—is next-generation training for a workforce ready to consume it the way it does everything else: fast, small, and ‘my way.’

MicroLearning is easily accessible via devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptop computers in formats as varied as videos, blogs, games, quizzes, simulations, podcasts, or slideshows.

MicroLearning addresses the dwindling attention span, just at the time when technology is changing so rapidly that traditional L&D training methods are struggling to keep up.

~ Learning Solutions Magazine December 2014

MicroLearning: What does it consist of?

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MicroLearning can be delivered in a number of mediums including:

• Video• Screencasts• Mini-quizzes• Podcasts• Puzzles• Slideshows• Infographics• Professional vlogs/blogs

Video is the commonly preferred and gold-standard of microLearning.

MicroLearning: Pros

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MicroLearning has a lot going for it, including:

• Available anytime, anywhere—device/time/location neutral

• Multimedia is direct and highly engaging• Short development cycle—quick to market• Easy to fit into busy schedules• Encourages continuous learning• Episodic content can build in complexity over time• Periodic reinforcement makes transfer more likely

Ideal for:

• Demonstrations• Sharing information• Reinforcing concepts• Aiding retention

MicroLearning: Cons

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MicroLearning is not a silver bullet; nor is it appropriate for all content.

• Not a one-and-done solution• Going in-depth can be challenging• Better for introductory content• Brevity is not engagement—strategy matters• Tools-centric—requires proper tools to do it right• Casual vibe makes it inappropriate for some topics

Not ideal for:

• Intermediate to mastery training• Going broad and deep—pick one• Standalone solutions where

memorization is key

MicroLearning: What could we do?

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Consultative Approach Example

Learner receives microLearning support follow up 1-2/week for the next five weeks.

Specifics might include: • Identifying when to use a particular consultative role (influencer vs.

strategist etc.)• Scenarios that illustrate how to effectively utilize the consultative

process• Podcast of a conversation where consultative approach is not

applied—learner is prompted to reflect, and respond with a quiz question

All of the examples could also reinforce use of the benchmark, and the idea their manager will be evaluating performance indicators at the post-training 90-day mark.

MicroLearning: Development

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Designing microLearning: Getting started

• One learning objective per module• Do not exceed five minutes total

completion time• Limit your slides/pages to five with one

key point on each• Embrace the idea of 140 characters to

make points—keep it punchy and direct• You can still go blended: three slides

with a 90-second video would work nicely

• Finish with a call to action—present a problem/scenario and let the learner solve it.

MicroLearning: Examples

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• Screencast : Editing section format in headers/footers

• Screencast: Storyline tutorial for inserting an animated background

• Screencast: Storyline tutorial for adding characters and triggers

• The Toolbar: Free iTunes podcasts on eLearning tools

• UX blog from an Autodesk UCD expert

• Every Page is Page One: Technical Communications blog

• LMS homepage example with microLearning elements

• Amazon Echo unboxing and setup

Granular content can provide exactly what a learner needs, when they need it.

Resources

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• eLearning Industry microLearning Resouce page

• The MicroLearning Trend: Accommodating Cultural and Cognitive Shifts

• ATD: Is MicroLearning a Myth?

• Spaced Repetition Overview

• Snappico: Free app combining microLearning and infographics

• Allen Communication: Break it Down to Build it Up

Thank You!

~ Lance Goetz