Why microlearning matters for knowledge workers

How much time can you dedicate to [formal] training and development each week? 

If you’re like us, the answer is…not much. 

We already spend less than 40% of our average workweek on tasks that are specific to our jobs. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have an appetite for learning. 

According to research:

• Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) employees are happy to learn new skills whenever possible during the workday. 
• Time is the #1 barrier to workplace learning.
• Over half of employees surveyed said they would spend more time learning at work if the content were presented in shorter, bite-sized chunks.
• 80% of employees are learning on an as-needed basis.
• When it comes to learning preferences, a whopping 94% prefer microlearning on the job.

If you’re hungry for new knowledge—and you’re in your easily distracted and constantly on-the-go era—you may benefit from microlearning.

13 benefits of bite-sized learning

If you’re used to sitting through a 60-minute webinar or sifting through a detailed user manual, having information delivered to you in your moment of need may feel too good to be true.

The best part about microlearning isn’t even the convenience. It’s the relevance of it. You get exactly the amount of knowledge you need to get sh*t done. No more and no less. And because this kind of informal learning is so short and spot on, you can consume it between tasks—or even more ideally, without breaking flow.

Microlearning:

1. Minimizes blockers within workflows. ⏩ By surfacing solutions *during* your process.
2. Favors (highly) applicable info. ✅  Exhaustive and theoretical content need not apply.
3. Reduces cognitive overload. 🧠 What’s a good rule of thumb for personal knowledge management? You don’t need to know what you don’t need to know. 
4. Drives knowledge retention. 💪🏿 Research says microlearning increases long-term retention by 80%.
5. Conserves mental energy when memorization *isn’t* the goal. 🤔 Which frees up more headspace for connecting the dots between key insights. 
6. Accelerates individual recall. 💡 The frustration of not being able to remember how you did something before is real—and avoidable, with just in time learning and spaced repetition. 
7. Improves institutional knowledge. 🏢 Which closes skill gaps and unlocks all kinds of competitive advantages.
8. Increases productivity. 📈 Less time spent searching for answers in more comprehensive documentation = more time applying what you know.
9. Boosts learner engagement. 🐠 Microlearning doesn’t demand prolonged focus—which is good, given we check our phones approximately 96 times per day.
10. Meets the learning needs of a diverse workforce. 🌏 As work goes increasingly global, and learning on the job becomes more and more important.
11. Decreases learning and development costs. 💰 Which would you rather send your top performers—tickets to a conference or a Tango to the same effect?
12. Expands reskill and upskill opportunities. 👨💻 Microlearning makes performance support and development more accessible to all. 
13. Builds a culture of knowledge sharing. 🤓 Which encourages everyone to help each other find the right answers, in the right place, at the right time.

‍

Common microlearning content types 

If you’re onboard with microlearning, you may be wondering about the best bet for sharing content.

You’ve got options, including:

• Infographics
• Video tutorials
• Quizzes
• Checklists
• How-to guides (light on text; heavy on screenshots!) 
• Brief animations
• Abbreviated e-learning modules 
• Decision trees
• Discussion boards 
• Job aids
• Mobile apps 

9 popular microlearning tools 

These tools provide a range of options for creating and delivering microlearning content, making it easier for educators and trainers to meet the needs of modern learners who prefer short, focused, and engaging learning experiences.

Microlearning best practices

When it comes to microlearning best practices, “less is more” only scratches the surface. There’s a lot to consider when you’re teaching someone how to follow a process, perform a task, or use specific tools or technologies.

‍Want to create engaging microlearning moments and materials that get the job done? 

• Tackle only one objective.
• Use clear, everyday language.
• Focus on what will make learners successful in the moment.
• Confirm content delivers a complete learning experience on its own (in short bursts).
• Consult subject matter experts.
• Use multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio.
• Omit any information that isn’t 100% necessary.
• Pick the right tool to carry out your microlearning strategy.
• Plan for versioning, hosting, distribution, and management.
• Double-check your final output can be consumed in 10 minutes or less.
• Ask for feedback and adapt accordingly.

7 microlearning mistakes to avoid 

What about what you *shouldn’t* do, when you’re designing training and development microcontent? 

We have some ideas on that too.👇

Microlearning mistakes to avoid include:

1. Chunking content and calling it microlearning. 🚩 Slicing and dicing a larger course into smaller pieces doesn’t always translate into standalone material suited for a single purpose.
2. Going too deep. 😵 Microlearning is great when content can be isolated and condensed into a quick unlock for learners. It’s not ideal for in-depth training—especially if a concept is complex and/or brand new.
3. Introducing broad, foundational knowledge. 📚 Your goal is to answer a single question or problem—as quickly as possible.
4. Aiming for a magic number. ⌛ A 2-minute step-by-step how-to guide is better than 45-second video if the second doesn’t solve a learning challenge.
5. Skimping on elements to keep people’s interest. 😴  Videos, screenshots, illustrations, real-world scenarios, quizzes, and animations can all drive learner engagement.
6. Forgetting to consider distribution. 🚀 Half of your job is to connect people to the information they need, when they need it.
7. Thinking microlearning can replace macro learning. 🙅 Microlearning is a valuable supplement to macro learning.