Micro-learning

Before diving head-first into the topic at hand (a micro-learning LMS ), here’s a fun fact. Do you know the average attention span of a modern human? Well, according to Microsoft Canada’s research, it is a mere eight seconds.

The report even claims that this is less than the attention span of a goldfish. Nine seconds, if you were wondering!

micro-learning

Now, the next inevitable question. Why the mention of goldfish and concentration here? Let’s come to the actual topic. Micro-learning!

What Is a Micro-learning LMS?

So what is an LMS website for micro-learning? A micro-learning LMS is a platform designed to deliver short, focused, and highly targeted learning content. It offers bite-sized pieces of information that are easy to digest and can be accessed quickly from any device.

Micro-learning online LMS is ideal for learners who prefer to learn on-the-go, or for organizations that need to deliver training content in small chunks to fit their employees’ busy schedules. This approach to learning is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the rise of mobile learning and the need for just-in-time training.

According to a report, the global micro-learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12.4% from 2022 to 2027. This growth is driven by factors such as the increased use of mobile devices, the need for personalized learning, and the rising adoption of e-learning in corporate training.

Some of the key features of Micro-learning LMS software include the following:

  • Bite-sized learning modules that are easy to consume
  • Mobile-friendly interface
  • Gamification elements to make learning more engaging
  • Personalized learning paths
  • Analytics to track learners’ progress and engagement
  • Social learning tools to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing

Micro-learning LMS application is suitable for a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, and technology. It effectively delivers just-in-time training to employees, helps them retain knowledge, and improves their job performance.

What Are the 12 Major Benefits of Micro-learning?

Now, this brings us to the next inevitable question. How is a micro-learning LMS online effective? Should all organizations adopt this model? What are its long-term benefits? Let’s dive in.

1. Improved Engagement Levels

mobile learning

Let’s admit it — long, traditional training sessions are boring! It is difficult to grab the attention of bored trainees. With the implementation of a micro-learning LMS website, engagement levels increase manifold. Learners are usually more inclined to grasp short, concise, and meaningful content. Now, this is in contrast to spending hours on a single topic.

micro-learning LMS
Source: thrivemyway.com

Secondly, a micro-learning LMS e learning also helps employees not stretch their mental prowess. After every hour, our concentration decreases. Modern psychologist George Miller stated: that ‘working memory can hold only seven bits of information simultaneously‘.

In such a case, micro modules result in a better understanding of imparted knowledge. Why? You can deliver the sessions at the peak of attention levels. As a result, the entire learning process becomes more effective and efficient.

2. Strict Adherence to George Miller’s Theory

short attention span

As per George Miller’s Information Process Theory, our brain’s short-term memory is more equipped to handle information in smaller chunks. If you divide data into manageable segments, the human mind processes it better than long text chains.

When corporates frame the training formats, they should group similar and relevant information. Harmonious, bite-sized modules are essential. Then, trainees can make more sense of the content. Interconnected data converts to higher retention and lower cognitive load. Otherwise, learners will get confused and distracted by irrelevant content.

3. Better Business Results

LMS

Micro-learning is the perfect tool for organizations since it uses minimum inputs to generate maximum outputs. After all, the Pareto Principle should define your business model. Pareto’s Principle states that 20% of efforts lead to 80% of outcomes.

With data scattered everywhere, traditional training methods are tedious. The vast information disseminated in a single session is overwhelming. Learners end up skimming through the content. The needs of the modern audience dictate the creation of micro-learning. Hence, it is the best bet for an information-rich lifestyle.

Additionally, micro-learning LMS for corporate training decreases the total duration and cost of eLearning. This leads to an increased ROI on training investments.

4. Accessible and Mobile-Oriented

mobile learning

Micro-learning involves tackling a single topic at a time. Trainees can effortlessly access these tiny training modules anytime, at the exact moment of need, on their smartphones.

Moreover, over 70% of the global populace are owners of mobile phones. Bite-sized learning is better suited for corporates as compared to conventional, desktop-based sessions.

PlayAblo’s Corporate Learning solution is robust yet very lightweight and fun to use ensuring a high degree of engagement and course completion. Find out more and request a custom demo!

5. Decreased Development Costs and Quicker Learning

Lessons in a micro-learning LMS are a far more cost-effective way of training your employees because they can be done online. For instance, eLearning videos get rid of the need to recruit a teacher, rent a lecture hall, or buy new equipment. “Time is money” is another old business saying (Benjamin Franklin). Because in micro-learning LMS platforms, modules are so brief, you save time and money by using them.

Expect to spend some money on a micro-learning LMS for corporate learning, but L&D designer Dr. Ray Jimenez, who wrote the book “3-minute eLearning,” says that it can trim development costs by 50%. Not only that but because micro-learning is so effective, it can also speed things up by up to 300 percent. This makes it a win-win for companies.

6. Just-in-time Learning and a Micro-Learning LMS

Just-in-time (JIT) learning lets employees get the details they require, how and when they need it. It’s increasingly becoming popular with trainees and experts in learning and development because it can be delivered in various ways. By merging micro-learning LMS solutions with this method, the people in charge of learning and development at your company will be able to set up a network infrastructure of small modules that can be made available from anywhere. This will give you control over your own professional growth.

7. Preferable by Both L&D Professionals and Employees

A survey found that more than half of the people who answered might learn more if lessons were smaller and more interesting. They didn’t want to take longer coursework because they were harder to understand and recollect. Also, they mess up their normal work schedules, so they sometimes have to work more hours to catch up.

Specialists in learning and development said that they, too, like short eLearning courses better than long ones. This means there will likely be many more organizational micro-learning courses LMS available in the long term.

8. Minimization of the Forgetting Curve

Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve shows that almost half of what you learn in a few days is forgotten if you don’t review it. To defeat the forgetting curve, learners need to be reminded of their knowledge from time to time. Even though it might not be possible to have students come back to class often, a micro-learning LMS can provide follow-up and encouragement activities to ensure students keep learning.

These small pieces of information help you remember:

  • Giving students time to learn
  • Providing learning at the right time
  • Getting information out of your memory

9. Preparation of Employees for Online and In-person Training

Questionnaires, flashcards, and infographics can help people remember what they’ve learned. Before ILT (Instructor-Led Training) or online training, learners’ current knowledge can be checked with mini-test questions as well as micro-evaluations. This also keeps their knowledge up-to-date and helps them understand new information.

A micro-learning LMS that includes video teasers, GIFs, interactive infographics, or podcasts is a good way to get learners interested in a new training topic.

10. Easier Scheduling of Training Times

A micro-learning LMS is very brief and focuses on a single learning goal. Trainees can do it in merely a couple of minutes while traveling or when they have nothing else to do. So, employees will save time, which will make them more likely to take that up. A recent study says that the best length for microlearning is between 10 and 13 minutes.

11. Encouragement of a Culture of Learning

Existing teaching material can be set up as various assets in a micro-learning LMS, so learners get to choose the subject they would like to learn about and how they want to learn it. Continuous changes to learning will help create a culture of learning, and learners will be able to use any device they want to learn on. Learners can also make short video clips and share them with other learners, which encourages the usage of user-generated material.

12. Performance and Refresher Training

Modules in a micro-learning LMS are great for effective support and refresher courses because they are short and can be found in different formats. Because micro resources are short and easy to carry, learners can use them when they need to while they are working. There are videos that show how to fix a machine and infographics that remind you of the dos and don’ts.

Lastly, market changes that happen quickly mean that training content needs to be updated quickly and programs need to be rolled out quickly. So, micro-learning is the way to go if you have to upgrade coursework or bring trainees up to date on the latest events and trends. Because these segments are simple to produce, update, and keep up to date, training can be done quickly and in different ways.

How to Deploy Micro-learning in Corporates?

Now that you know the multiple benefits of micro-learning, you might want to start with the basics. How to incorporate this model into your business? Let’s get started!

1. Start from the Beginning

learning management systems

Change is difficult. No one likes it when you introduce massive changes all of a sudden. So, the best bet is to start small. There is no need to revamp the entire existing training program all at once. Introduce bite-sized modules one at a time — little by little.

But remember to keep your employees informed. Explain to them how they can benefit from the overhauled LMS. Employees will be receptive to the altered format when they know that the new changes will decrease training times.

2. Be Flexible

One of the significant upsides of bite-sized training is flexibility. So, never ignore flexibility when designing your modules. The sessions need to be easily accessible and effortlessly understandable. Give some thought to how different departments will utilize the knowledge.

Again, different individuals have different learning speeds and prowess. Finally, if your company has international employees, ensure that developers can translate content with much difficulty.

3. Research

Micro-learning

Simply dividing content into chunks does not make it enjoyable. Employees will not engage just because they will now spend less time in the training rooms. The information should be targeted and curated as per their needs.

It must address the main pain points. So, give yourself time. Research training materials and modules that will hold the attention span of your employees.

Content should not only be engaging, but it should also be relevant. The training materials must address employee needs NOW — at the moment.

For instance, let us assume that your digital marketing team is adopting a new approach to sharing video clips on social media. A couple of short and instant training sessions on how to generate creative video ideas would be helpful.

4. Work on Mobile-Friendly Training Modules

Micro-learning

In the current era, blended learning makes the most sense. Employees should be able to access information on the go. You must ensure accessibility in their workplace, their homes, or transportation hours when visiting a client.

No one travels without their smartphone. Hence, mobile-friendly modules go a long way in keeping your employees armed with the latest information.

5. Additional Tips

  • Make sure your videos are short and easy to find. Think about the sorts of things you are seeing on social media these days. Use both visual and audio cues to break up the information into small chunks that people can watch and hear on the go.
  • If you are using a micro-learning LMS to teach a whole course, concentrate on either one or two topics and strive to keep your trainees interested from beginning to end. Remember that your videos shouldn’t be longer than six minutes, but every module should be able to stand on its own and be studied without the other modules.
  • Don’t give too much information! They want answers right when they need them, so only tell them what they ought to know. This also makes it easier for people to remember your main points.

6. Finally, Review

Once you have implemented micro-learning in your company, you must follow a routine evaluation schedule. Review your LMS and keep a count of which sessions are generating positive results. Take timely employee feedback to introduce changes at periodic intervals.

If you are researching Micro-learning LMS for your workplace, this article takes a deep dive into factors to consider.

Final Word

Micro-learning is efficient in training employees on sales, compliance, safety, software, new hires, products, or services. Now that you have a fair idea of the various upsides and incorporation steps of this format, it is time to get started! If you have any questions or concerns, you can always leave your viewpoints in our comments section below.

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