Microlearning: New Paradigm of Learning(2023)

Microlearning: Introduction

Josh Bersin’s article (2018) carries this statement on microlearning in the year 2009. When you look at the history of microlearning, you can only guess that modern education follows patterns that are adaptive, flexible, personalised, and game-like. People like to learn everywhere and all the time. Microlearning is a great fit for the new culture of learning all the time, whenever you want. So, microlearning is seen as the perfect match for longer-term training (Bersin, 2018). (Bersin, 2018). Microlessons and otto-learn always fit into busy work schedules, giving modern learners the freedom to choose how, when, and where they reach their educational goals.

Teacher-created content intended to interest, motivate, and instruct pupils is a very effective educational tool. Overall, educational content should be adaptable, easily accessible, packed with relevant knowledge, and imaginative. In this project, learning inputs should focus on students by combining or incorporating content in an interesting and methodical way. This is because students learn in different ways, such as visually by seeing the material, audibly by hearing the material, read-and-write learners by reading and writing the material over and over again, and kinesthetically by doing exercises to remember and understand what they have learned. The other important thing is to keep students interested in learning by keeping distractions to a minimum (NYTLicensing, n.d.).

Microlearning is a new topic

Microlearning is a new topic that is getting a lot of attention from academics, authors, and educators from all over the world. At the same time, more people have been looking for microlearning on the Internet (Job & Ogalo, 2012). In this age of busy schedules and short attention spans, microlearning is a training method that is almost perfect for any type of training (Andriotis, 2018).
Microlearning, which uses short bits of content to improve learning and performance, works better and faster than any other way to learn. (Leong et al., 2021). Even though there isn’t a clear definition of microlearning, all training based on microlearning has one thing in common: it’s short. This means that they are small learning units or activities that only last a short time. In a short amount of time, microlearning content can be anything from text to full-blown interactive multimedia.

Principles of microlearning

Wooll’s article on “The Benefits of Microlearning: Learn Big, Study Small” (2021) encompasses four fundamental principles under microlearning, as explained below:

1. Microlearning is fast and short. This concept focuses on dozens of bite-sized units within a short period of time. Consequently, the learner is able to manage his time efficiently while acquiring knowledge.

2. It focuses on one learning objective or outcome: Unlike complex courses, microlearning sessions have a single outcome in each session. This feature helps learners become aware of their personal learning apparatus. Due to its specific focus, focusing on a single learning outcome keeps the learner away from confusion or distraction.

3. Microlearning sessions incorporate a wide variety of media types, including but not limited to images, info-graphics, text, videos, and games, in order to make the learning process more enjoyable.

4. It is easily accessible and mobile-friendly: Microlearning platforms are based on digitisation and with easy online access. The physical distance between the learners is not a prime concern in this learning context. Modern devices such as smartphones and tablets stand in favor of this learning strategy.

Importance of Microlearning.

Microlearning is a new way to meet the growing needs of our society in terms of lifelong learning or learning needs. Developments in technology, culture, and the economy have led to the need for fresh learning ideas and methods that may be applied throughout a person’s life. Modern lifestyles, workplaces, and learning goals require updated, relevant education. This requires new and innovative methods to strengthen it.

From different points of view, microlearning, with its new learning models and ideas, meets the needs of modern learners. Microlearning is helpful at this stage of knowledge creation because many of its learning methods are based on observation and collecting data. Improving knowledge, skills, and abilities are the most important parts of education, and microlearning is based on this idea. It can keep knowledge alive by figuring out where there are gaps in knowledge now and in the future. Microlearning helps an organization learn and improve its performance and productivity by giving people core knowledge and skills.

Studies on Microlearning

A study examined use of microlearning in publications and online to help education, government, business, and academics promote, design, and apply it. Based on 476 relevant articles found between 2006 and 2019. According to the findings of the study, microlearning is becoming increasingly acknowledged as a developing and significant topic all over the world. In addition,  most of the studies concentrated on e-learning or mobile learning. But there are more and more articles about “microlearning,” which is in line with the fact that more and more people are searching for “microlearning” on the Internet (Leong et al., 2021). Scopus found 476 publications with the word “microlearning” in places like the article title, abstract, keywords, authors, source title, etc. The first publication with the word “microlearning” was reported in 2006. Figure 1 also shows that the term “microlearning” will be used more and more from 2016 to 2019:

When looking at the articles in Scopus from 2016 to 2019 that have the words “elearning” and “learning” in them, The number of publications about “microlearning,” which has grown to 94 from 2006 to 2019, was shown to be on the rise.
Figures 2 and 3 show that the number of publications about “elearning” and “learning” have only gone up 4.45 and 4.11 times, respectively, during this time period.

Microlearning as an Innovative Process of Knowledge Strategy

In their 2012 study, “Microlearning as an Innovative Process of Knowledge Strategy,” Minimol Anil Job and Habil Slade Ogalo showed that microlearning is very useful and could be used to improve knowledge and skills in many different fields. The principle of learning says that learning in small, repeatable pieces is one of the most effective ways to learn. Soon, microlearning was seen as a useful tool for learning and improving performance at work. Studies have shown that microlearning content helps people learn best and is more likely to help them learn more. Microlearning is often thought of as a technology-based or technology-enhanced form of training. Since the early 2000s, computers and the Internet have opened up new ways to help learners. With the rise of mobile technology, it’s even easier for students to quickly get to microlearning segments (td.org, n.d.).

A survey of learning and development professionals found that 94% of the people who took the survey preferred microlearning to traditional eLearning courses (Boyette, 2012). Some other studies have also shown that microlearning works to meet the needs of modern learners (Shift, n.d.).

Advantages of microlearning

Helen Colman’s article (2020) talked about seven benefits of microlearning, including better learning retention, higher learner satisfaction, faster learning, more engagement, less time and money spent on development, support for a learning culture, and increased learner efficiency. From a business and training point of view, eLearning Industry (2018) also pointed out six key benefits, such as faster delivery, lower costs, more flexibility, more engaging content, better knowledge retention, and learners’ freedom. People say that the main benefits of microlearning are: 1) better retention of concepts (Giurgiu, 2017; Shail, 2019); 2) better engagement of learners (De Gagne et al., 2019); and 3) increased motivation among learners (Nikou and Economdies, 2018). (4) getting people to work together to learn (Reinhardt and Elwood, 2019); and (5) improving learning and performance (Mohammed et al., 2018). This study explains the best thing about microlearning in the following paragraphs:

a. Improved Learning Retention:

• To learn new skills and knowledge, we need to be able to build on what we already know. The Forgetting Curve (University of Waterloo, n.d.) by the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus shows how the average student forgets what they’ve learned in a class over time. Microlearning is a great way to make memories stick, and the Forgetting Curve shows that it also helps people remember things. This style of learning lets the learner get up to speed quickly with training activities that are intense, memorable, and help to reinforce knowledge. Shail’s research (n.d.) has shown that microlearning helps keep your mind from getting tired. If you use this style of learning over and over again, you may be able to store new information in your short-term and long-term memories well.

b. Better Learner Satisfaction:

A recent survey found that younger Gen Z learners are drawn to technology in every way possible in working and training environments (Fry, 2015). Modern learners are supposed to have training materials that are useful, easy to find, and quick. Microlearning that works closely with modern technology is the best way for them to get the education they want.

c. Faster Learning:

c. Faster Learning: A recent LinkedIn.com study (2019) found that time is the biggest obstacle to learning at work. Josh Bersin’s research showed that employees usually only spend 24 minutes, or 1% of their workweek, on learning activities. In a place where people are so busy, microlearning modules help them learn by giving them shorter courses than traditional eLearning courses.

d. More interest:

Microlearning is all about how people’s brains take in information. Only the most important information and skills are included in carefully made microlearning materials. So, learners are in a good place when it comes to important information or activities. Through a study, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) found that microlearning helps people remember what they’ve learned more than traditional eLearning.

e. Less time and money spent on development:

According to academic expert Jimenez (2006), microlearning can save time and money in certain situations, such as when: Learners finish courses quickly.
Organizations can do up-to-date microlearning courses faster than with traditional eLearning, and they don’t have to pay for classroom space, teachers, or transportation.
Most traditional and non-traditional courses could be made for much less money than a microlearning course (eLearning Industry, 2018).

f. Learning Culture Support:

An organization with a learning culture encourages its employees to keep learning new job-related skills and knowledge. Microlearning is a great way to fit into the culture of learning while still being easy to get to know.

g. Improved learner efficiency:

Microlearning focuses on one topic or aspect at a time. This trait makes it easier for students to learn what they need to know. A study done by APA PsycNet (n.d.) showed that this was the case in an experiment where students who got “small bites” of information did better than those who got the same amount of teaching in a longer time slot (Mayer et al., 1999). Microlearning courses cover a wide range of topics, from the simple to the complex, that other types of eLearning might only be able to cover in small chunks (eLearning Industry, 2018).

h. More Freedom for Learners:

• Regular online courses that employ text-heavy curriculums are not suitable for studying in a short time slot. Microlearning, on the other hand, lets learners do casual learning in their free time. Also, because these are microinputs, you can take them more than once (eLearning Industry, 2018). As Playxlpro.com (n.d.) pointed out, using microlearning as part of their learning strategies has five major benefits, such as making learning more learner-centered, making it easier to remember what you’ve learned, taking less time, letting you learn on the go, and making employees more motivated. Finally, this will help to achieve goals in your life.

Product Summery

By Janaka Nelugolle Gedera M.A (Linguistics) , B.A (Special) English

References:

Andriotis, N ( 2018) What Is Microlearning: A Complete Guide For Beginners. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/what-is-microlearning-benefits-best-practices

APA PsycNet ( n.d) Maximizing constructivist learning from multimedia communications by minimizing cognitive load. Journal of Educational Psychology[Online] https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-0663.91.4.638

Bersin,J (2018) A new Paradigm for Corporate Training: Learning in the Flow of Work. [online] https://joshbersin.com/2018/06/a-new-paradigm-for-corporate-training-learning-in-the-flow-of-work/ ·

Buchem, I & Hamelmann, H. (2010). Microlearning: a strategy for ongoing professional development.

Colman, H (2020)7 Benefits of Microlearning You Need to Know.[Online]https://www.ispringsolutions.com/blog/benefits-of-microlearning

De Gagne, J.C., Park, H.K., Hall, K., Woodward, A., Yamane, S. and Kim, S.S. (2019a), “Microlearning in health professions education: scoping review”, JMIR Medical Education, Vol. 5 No. 2, e13997.

eLearning Industry (2018) What Is Microlearning: A Complete Guide For Beginners. [online] https://elearningindustry.com/what-is-microlearning-benefits-best-practices

Fry, R (2015) Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. labor force.Pew Research Center [Online]https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/11/millennials-largest-generation-us-labor-force/

 Giurgiu, L. (2017), “Microlearning an evolving elearning trend”, Scientific Bulletin, Vol. 22 No. 1,
pp. 18-23

Jimenez, R (2006) 3-Minute Learning. Monogatari Press. the United States.ISBN 978-0-9791847-0-3 0-9791847-0-3