5 Must-Have Microlearning Assets in Every Corporate’s Online Learning Library

The mobile technology boom has led to an immense increase in mobile device ownership and usage. In fact, many market studies show that people prefer accessing digital content more often on smartphones and tablets than desktop computers. This means that the design and delivery of digital learning programs must be fine-tuned according to smaller screen sizes of mobile devices. That’s what led to the creation of Microlearning modules. Microlearning is a new eLearning trend that is revolutionizing digital learning programs.

Microlearning is a modular training approach where content is engineered into a series of short, concise, and dynamic learning nuggets. Ideally, each micro module offers a complete learning experience on its own and at the same time supplements a full-length eLearning program. Microlearning modules allow learners to make the most of their time as they can learn something meaningful in the few minutes of free time they might find.

Microlearning Can be Delivered in Multiple Formats

Here are a few must-haves in your online learning library:

• Game-based nuggets
• Micro videos
• Short simulations
• Social learning plug-ins
• Interactive assessments

Due to its short duration of 3-7 minutes, micro courses also make sure that your learners aren’t distracted from their jobs for a long period. But to make the most of this power packed nugget-sized learning method, you should design it in the right format, based on the topic being conveyed and the training needs. Let’s take a look at some of the leading learning formats you can incorporate in your corporate training library:

Leading Microlearning Formats for Your Corporate Online Training Library

1. Game-Based Nuggets

Game-based content essentially means creating a fully playable game around your content. Learners need to play the game to grasp the necessary knowledge. As microlearning deals with one specific topic at a time, each one can be gamified to increase retention and applicability. This makes it the perfect addition to your microlearning library.

Games usually center around a specific skill or topic and your learners are required to earn badges, points, or other rewards to move ahead. Short immersive games, honing a particular skill make top-notch microlearning assets. Who wouldn’t love a treasure hunt? What if it is tailored to help learners identify the items needed for use in a hazardous environment?

→ Engaging Game Templates: Explore Now!

2. Micro Videos

A picture is worth a thousand words. But, if you need to convey ten thousand words in a few minutes, a video is the thing you need. This is what makes videos ideal candidates for a microlearning asset. No matter how complicated a subject or topic is, videos hold the potential to break it down in a simple understandable format.

However, the reason videos are ideal for a micro-module is that watching them is a stress-free activity, along with the fact that they transfer learning effectively. Unlike reading plain text or even listening to an audiobook, a video provides a much more immersive learning experience.

3. Short Simulations

Hands-on experience is a valuable form of training. Task-based simulation is one of the most effective emulations of a real-world activity. Be it a complicated software or the operation of a machinery, simulations can give a real-world experience of any process, or software system. Simulations can be enhanced and made more accessible if converted to microlearning modules.

They allow online learners to test out different approaches, explore each step of the task in detail, and learn from their mistakes at almost any time they want. A micro version of a simulation, ensures that learners can experience this anytime they want.

If you have a series of micro modules on the functions that are to be executed by each set/group off learners, it gives them the flexibility to refer them when needed.

4. Social Learning Plugins

Social learning is a dark horse in the arena of digital learning. When learners share their course progress, communicate their thoughts about the course with peers, or get into meaningful discussions, a deep curiosity is generated in their minds. With microlearning, you can fully explore this powerful learning methodology.

Sharing or communicating on digital mediums mostly happens through mobile devices, as it is present with the learners at all times. That’s why including social plugins in your digital learning programs makes all the more sense.

5. Interactive Assessments

Assessments are an important part of your eLearning program. But, if you make your learners sit through long and tedious assessments with text heavy questions, you can quickly put them off. On the contrary, if you create interactive micro-assessments, you can effectively capture the attention of your learners. Move out the plain question-answer format and use out of the box assessment techniques. You can have gamified assessments in interesting formats, to capture the attention of your learners.

Go Micro for Macro Results!

Microlearning modules are a powerful training method for today’s mobile-savvy generation. Make sure that you use the right assets to make the most out of your microlearning program. Do you still have doubts about where you can use microlearning in your corporate learning strategy? Download this eBook for deeper insights!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness