Bite-Sized Education:

An Overview of Microlearning

Defining Microlearning

There has not been a consistent definition of microlearning, challenging the argument that microlearning is not simply a fad, but a long-term solution to meet educational and organizational needs. By design, microlearning solutions can be stand-alone products or part of a larger series. With each microlearning focusing on one or a few specific objectives, these can be used in both eLearning and traditional educational settings to meet larger organizational goals. The broad definition of microlearning allows for each solution to be a beneficial and valuable tool for learners in multiple contexts, such as in higher education or corporate settings.

Though descriptions of microlearning have ranged anywhere from “any brief and targeted learning object that spans between 3 to 6 minutes” (Andriotis, 2016) to videos that are “4 minutes or less” (Eades, 2014), both focus on providing short, bite-sized content. Although microlearning solutions tend to be asynchronous, these solutions can be used in diverse learning environments. “Instead of focusing on seat time, the idea is really about meeting the learners’ needs as quickly as possible by giving them just what they need at that moment” (Torgerson, 2019). As with any learning solution, there are benefits and limitations to the length each microlearning. According to Cole (2017), “Opting for longer segments will allow for more detail, while choosing shorter segments may keep learners’ attention better”. It’s important for designers to pick a solution that accurately meets their objectives and organizational needs.

Microlearning isn’t just limited to video and can include multiple formats (Seidel, 2018). These include:

· Posters

· Infographics

· Interactive Infographics

· e-Learning Courses

· Games

· Job aids

· Simulations

As microlearning adoption continues to grow, it’s important for designers to consider accessibility. Microlearning products should be accessible though design, with a direct focus on designing for multiple platforms, such as mobile devices. As the use of technology continues to expand, so does the desire for content creation to be widely accessible to users on all platforms.

Additional benefits of microlearning include:

· Ease of updating information/content for designers

· Creating a sense of autonomy and control for learners due to its quick accessibility

· More enjoyable for participants than longer training sessions

Differentiating Microlearning & eLearning chapters

The similarity between microlearning and eLearning chapters is a common misconception.

Though eLearning chapters are beneficial for organizing longer pieces of content, “they usually build upon previous content or storyline” (Andriotis, 2016), and still reinforce the need for learners to watch content in a particular sequence before moving forward. Though this is practical for larger lessons, this doesn’t allow users to benefit from solely reviewing pieces of content. Plus, filtering through chapters or sections of material is not always user friendly and can cause frustration or fear that participants are missing other key information.

Conclusion: Continuous Adoption

Microlearning solutions are continuously being adopted by both users and designers, encouraging organizations to increasingly seek these solutions. This website is designed to give you an overview of microlearning with a particular emphasis on how microlearning is used in both the higher education and corporate settings.

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