Is Microlearning another Learning Trend? What is it Really!
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How many times do you check your mobile phones in meetings? In the bus, while riding back home from work? Or, even when you are waiting for your partner to arrive? The unfortunate truth is, “All the time”.
While it is definitely recommended to keep a check on the screen time and spend more quality time with your family/friends, there are idle times where we thank the stars that we have our mobile and the internet with us!
Now, imagine feeling actually productive in those 10 mins, learning something new, completing a lesson from an online course, or going through a video that prepares you for next day’s online presentation?
Research shows, learning in short bursts, is a very effective method of retaining the acquired knowledge or skill. It is the same theory basis which, all learning materials in the world are broken down into chapters. This is no different, just that the slice is thinner!
This phenomenon of learning in ultra short chunks has a name: Microlearning. And guess what, people across the world are taking it very seriously. So seriously, that many organizations are creating platforms dedicated to this learning format. Not only are these courses short, their formats are media rich, often gamified, and immersive!
Imagine your next geography lesson to be in an app like Pokemon Go! The corporate sector has given up on training employees to be focused. Instead, they are building things that catch the employee focus.
So here are the key things to know about Microlearning:
What is Microlearning, again?
An upcoming learning trend, where learning materials are presented in a media-rich format. The usual duration is between 3-5 minutes and can be up to 10-12 minutes.
So, it is not a teacher and a classroom, right?
Nopes, it is most definitely not. It can have varied avatars, though. Can be videos, interactive games, short quizzes with feedback, or interactive self-paced content.
And I can teach or learn what exactly, in ten minutes??
Imagination is the key, on this one!
In the Corporate: new hire orientations,sales pitches, simple how-to task-based training, introduction videos, or learning reinforcement videos.
In the traditional education sector: It could be a short game, quiz, or lesson aid that will help students clarify doubts. Teachers can post short videos as follow-up lessons. This will certainly spice things up in the classroom!
What gadgets do I need?
A mobile phone or a smart device with internet, that’s it! You are all set to learn in ten minutes flat! If you are the educator who wants to create content, it is slightly more complicated than that.
So, that’s the catch! I knew it can’t be that simple
Actually, even that step can be fairly simple. You can purchase a learning management system for microlearning, or even create your own content management system to track training if you are any good at coding. You can go the whole hog to get content creation software and hire an expert – or you may keep it real simple and shoot a video with your camera on a tripod!
It will burn a hole in my pocket!
Again depends on how you want to make it. If you are making a video, it can be free to create and upload. For interactivities, there are organizations who specialize in creating these. Using that will be a bit expensive. But once made, these resources can be used extensively on a wide reach of students and learners, making the effective cost lower than face-to-face learning transactions.
Have you already given Microlearning a spin? If yes, do write to us at editor@blankslatechronicles.com. We would love to know more and better ways to use this fabulous learning concept!
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