Learning effectively with microlearning
A puzzle consists of many small pieces - just like sustainable learning. Microlearning focuses on compact units of knowledge that fit together step by step to form a whole. When even coffee doesn't run through the machine fast enough, learning has to be flexible and efficient. Microlearning makes this possible: small learning units are available at any time, easy to understand and can be applied directly in everyday life. In this article, you will find out why microlearning is so effective and how you can use it specifically for yourself or your team.
What is microlearning?
Microlearning in the company means that Employees receive quick answers to specific questions through small learning units in the form of videos, exercises, checklists, audios, knowledge tests and much more.
These are learningnuggets that Employees can access via a platform within a very short space of time. These learning nuggets are designed to be relevant and practical so that Employees can get to work straight away.
The forgetting curve according to Ebbinghaus - the basis of microlearning
Back in the 19th century, the psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered how quickly people forget new knowledge. His so-called forgetting curve shows that our memory capacity declines sharply after a short time - depending on the content, but always significantly.
An efficient tactic to counteract this effect is repetition. This is exactly where microlearning comes in: Knowledge is taught in small units and repeated regularly - often in different formats. In this way, it is better remembered and learning success increases in the long term.
How microlearning can be used in the company - a practical example
Let's say you have to stand in for a colleague who is ill for an important presentation at short notice. However, he was the expert and you have hardly any experience in creating and giving presentations. How do you get started quickly and effectively? How do you keep the thread running and convey the information in an exciting way without boring the audience? Traditional training could help - but you don't have time for that.
You start to familiarize yourself with the topic and search online for tips and tricks. But you soon realize that your research is not focused and the deadline is getting closer and closer. The stress increases and you are unsure whether you can meet the requirements for the presentation.
This is where microlearning comes into play. A learning format that provides you with the necessary knowledge in a short time and from anywhere - without a great deal of effort or an official application. Short videos or practice-oriented exercises give you the impetus you need to master your presentation. You use the time you have and learn exactly what you need for your task - for example, how to create a presentation and deliver it with confidence.
Formats in microlearning
Microlearning covers a wide range of different formats. These can be text-based, audio-based or visual, but can also be interactive or gamified.
Text formats include small and concise text snippets and learning impulses on a specific topic or a specific practical case, such as tips or checklists. Information in microlearnings is often packaged in stories or illustrated using small case studies.
Visual formats can be infographics that present a complex topic in an understandable way, or short educational videos, e.g. expert input or animations. In the audio area, short podcasts or interview excerpts are used.
Interactive formats activate users through quiz questions or gamification elements, simulations (e.g. of conversations) or interactive videos in which decision points are set or questions are asked at certain points.
Of course, these individual formats are often mixed or alternated to create a memorable learning experience.
Why microlearning?
Microlearning courses work particularly well because they are short and concise and can be used "on the job", i.e. during working hours.
Nowadays, anyone who wants to acquire situational knowledge needs alternatives. An additional offer to formal seminars, which are often associated with a higher budget. With just a few clicks, microlearning content opens up comprehensive opportunities to acquire the right knowledge and skills during a business trip or just before a meeting. Short learning units provide Employees with quick and situational solutions and answers to individual questions.
All individual preferences are covered, and the best thing is: the more sensory channels and learning formats are used for learning that encourage reflection and application, the better the knowledge is retained. Today an interactive video, tomorrow a social learning opportunity that promotes exchange, and then an auditory learning format that encourages reflection.
Microlearning - advantages at a glance
Advantages for learners
- Flexibility in time and place: face-to-face training often takes a lot of time and requires a lot of organization. The short learning units in microlearnings can be accessed on the go and fit into everyday working life, breaks or commuting times. This means that relevant content is available at the "moment of need".
- Learning transfer: Microlearning offers optimal learning transfer for everyday life and a high degree of practical relevance.
- Knowledge retention: The acquisition of knowledge and skills is more successful if it is divided into small steps and repeated regularly.
- Increasing motivation: Microlearning is particularly motivating because it is efficient and learning successes are immediately noticeable in daily activities. Gamification elements can also promote motivation to learn.
Advantages for companies
- Cost efficiency and scalability: Further training can be costly and time-consuming, especially if it takes place in person and not at the company location. Microlearning enables further training to take place in the company in a short time and is still cost-effective because it is more scalable.
- Appropriate content: Thanks to many small units, content is more precisely tailored to the maturity and learning level of the Employees .
- Measuring success: Microlearning, like other online learning offerings, offers the possibility of better success measurement (e.g. quiz results or completion rates)
- Customizability and consistent standards: Microlearning content can be adapted quickly and centrally for everyone. In addition, all Employees receive the same level of training.
Make or buy? Contents for microlearning
The learning content for a microlearning approach (often called learning nuggets) can be created in-house or purchased and made available on suitable platforms. Whether "make or buy" depends largely on the type of content and the resources available.
Company-specific content is best created in-house. This guarantees a high relevance of the nuggets, flexibility in customization and control over the didactics and design. This can be, for example, the presentation of internal processes or knowledge about the company's products and services.
Interdisciplinary content, however, can be purchased efficiently and in a time-saving manner. Soft skill topics (e.g. time management), IT basics (cybersecurity, AI), compliance training or leadership topics are suitable for this.
Who is microlearning suitable for?
Whether you are a career changer, young professional or senior expert: videos, texts or podcasts provide quick answers in everyday life. In just 2-5 minutes - and in a maximum of 15 minutes - different formats offer targeted knowledge and the opportunity to acquire skills, for all career levels. This enables all learners to achieve a high level of professionalism.
Microlearning for Employees
Requirements change over time. And this is quickly becoming noticeable in the world of work: working from home has increased the demand for professional online meetings, for example.In the short term, new skills are required to efficiently implement presentations and moderations virtually.
However, the scope of a 2-day seminar for all Employees would go beyond the scope and would also not optimally support the Employees in their day-to-day work and get them into action. It's all about small bits of help, basic tips for everyday business life that can be conveyed quickly and practically as learning snacks. This makes it easy to acquire up-to-date and new knowledge in everyday life.
Microlearning for managers, team leader & subject matter expert
Such snacks can also be helpful for managers and subject matter experts , either as a refresher or for new input in their day-to-day work.
The pace of change in our world means that knowledge is becoming outdated faster and faster. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to continuously learn new things in order to keep pace. And especially when situations arise that are not part of day-to-day business, Employees in management positions are also happy to receive reliable information and quick support quickly and easily. For example, in preparation for a feedback meeting with Employees so that they can then conduct it confidently and professionally.
Microlearning for HR developers
Even if HR developers are well positioned to train their employees, the need for learning content is constantly changing. What was important yesterday may be outdated today. That's why you need a training program that is flexible and adaptable - one that caters to different learning needs and levels. Traditional methods quickly reach their limits here. Microlearning is the solution: with short, concise learning units, the existing offering can be expanded and adapted to rapid changes. HR developers can thus ensure that their employees always learn exactly what they need - efficiently and in line with the situation. Learning nuggets can be used to create tailor-made learning journeys that can be perfectly combined with online and face-to-face seminars.
Why is microlearning successful?
Microlearning works particularly well in companies because it makes everyday working life noticeably easier. Employees are directly supported in their daily tasks, learn new things and thus increase their own market value. The company benefits from qualified employees who perform their tasks more efficiently and contribute to success with fresh ideas.
Further training is often perceived as a stress factor because it is difficult to find longer periods of time for it. Short learning units, on the other hand, can be easily integrated into everyday working life and ensure more sustainable learning through this regular integration.
Learning nuggets lower the inhibition threshold for daily learning, as the time required is low. At the same time, motivation and fun are increased by the wide range of options and interactive, multimedia formats.
New learning moments are created in the blink of an eye: A quiz with colleagues, an exciting video from an expert or quick feedback that encourages reflection - all this ensures continuous learning.
Microlearning offers real added value - especially for small challenges and tasks in the daily workflow. Learners quickly get the answers they need and continuously develop their skills at the same time.
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