Microlearning:-A step towards easy learning..

Microlearning:-

       "Micro" means small as we all know.The first use of term "microlearning" dates back to

1963 in a book called "The economics of human resources" by Hector Correa(sounds like a reverting bedtime read). It is pretty much oldest and one of the most efficient ways to study as it improves knowledge retention. It started in pre-historic era.

It started its journey to e-learning stardown with domestic use of internet in mid-1990s. Internet revolutionised the way the world was able to learn. With the introduction of smartphones microlearning also got a major boost.suddenly everybody had a portable device that had access to internet & could be used to deliver content more efficiently.People 

Could learn something new in a few short minutes.

     Now,among 90% people span of  patience to learn of a  normal human is 8sec(as per study by Microsoft 2017) so microlearning is blessing.And it can be used for all kinds of training but not employee onboarding.

Defining microlearning:-

      "It is a bite-sized or small chunks of learning a concept."

In a brief,

Microlearning is an educational strategy that breaks complex topics down into short-form, stand-alone units of study that can be viewed as many times as necessary, whenever and wherever the learner has the need. Microlearning instructional modules are designed to be consumed in about five minutes and address one specific skill or knowledge gap topic. 

Why Is Microlearning Effective?

     The principle of learning in small, repetitive chunks has long been acknowledged as an effective method of learning skills such as a language or musical instrument. Increasingly, evidence shows microlearning to be an effective tool for workplace learning and performance. Studies have found that learners learn best and are more likely to recall learning when they can process information through small, manageable chunks instead of through a longer and more concentrated time frame.

Microlearning is often a technology-based or technology-enhanced form of training. This scientifically studied practice has only existed since the early 2000s, when computers and the Internet presented a new opportunity to support learners. The rise of mobile technology makes it even easier for learners to access microlearning segments on the go.

Micorlearning can be used as performance support, where the learner accesses the segment at the point of need, such as when they perform a task that is highly complex or one they perform infrequently. Microlearning can also serve as support for longer learning. For example, learners may attend a half-day in-person training then access microlearning segments with key content if they need a refresher at a later date.

Microlearning softwares:-

1. iSpring Learn:-

           iSpring Learn is a microlearning platform that allows you to streamline and automate workplace training. It has a built-in authoring tool that can be used to create responsive microlearning courses with knowledge checks that work perfectly on smartphones and desktop. You can also upload ready-made SCORM-courses, PPT slides, videos, and other learning materials to the platform, share them with employees in just a few clicks and then keep track of how your learners view the content. iSpring Learn has a native app for iOS/Android that allows users to learn anytime and anywhere, even offline. 

EDUME:-

   Edume  is a mobile-based solution that combines training and communication. It has an easy-to-use content creation tool that allows you to build microlearning courses, quizzes, and surveys quickly. You can deliver EduMe courses right to any of your employees’ devices and monitor how they’re progressing. The platform also includes a message authoring tool that lets you easily create breaking news on products, campaigns, and learning opportunities and send them to your colleagues straight away or schedule them for another time. 

4. mLevel

mLevel is a microlearning and gamification software that makes it easy to build and share game-based learning activities. The authoring tool is completely templated – you can create games, flashcards, simulations, role-plays, and more with no coding. The platform also supports gamification – it allows for stars, badges, and leaderboards, to ignite employees’ competitive spirit. To check how well your team members are learning, you can generate reports that let you drill down into individual learners and user groups and see data by course, topic, or question.

5. Learner Mobile

Learner mobile is a user-friendly platform that is focused on snappy learning content creation and delivery right to employees’ mobiles. With ready-made templates, you can craft bite-sized lessons with videos and images and build engaging quizzes. Plus, you can import SCORM courses and keep track of your learners’ activity and results. The platform also has a flexible ‘up-to-you’ award functionality that applauds employees for their achievements. Peers can also congratulate each other for a job well done.

6. EdApp

Edapp poses itself as a mobile-first LMS but it also works perfectly on desktop. You can design engaging microlearning lessons with its cloud-based authoring tool. To do this, you simply need to choose the responsive template that suits your learning needs and populate it with content: videos, texts, and images. You can export the content to SCORM or integrate it with EdApp’s cloud delivery system. If you’re an international multilingual company, you may benefit from EdApp’s cloud translation feature that lets you get a course translated within seconds. 

7. Oplift Engage

Oplift engage online platform that combines microlearning, a knowledge base, and employee recognition tools. You can cut the learning content up into small units and add assignments to assess your employees’ knowledge. After your team members complete a course, you can award learners with virtual achievements to encourage them to succeed even further. All training materials are stored in the knowledge base, so everything they need to know is always at their fingertips.

8. OttoLearn

Otto learn represents itself as an agile microlearning platform. It delivers bite-sized content to learners paired with knowledge cards for performance support. The platform promotes adapted training, which means you can assign your employees Mastery Goals for specific knowledge areas, and OttoLearn will continuously modify the training plan to adjust to the performance of each learner. Everyday users are prompted to take part in Mastery Moments™ that involve them in a 2-minute set of activities created to identify and fill knowledge gaps.

9.Surge9

Surge9 is an online tool that combines software architecture, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and easy content authoring to deliver microlearning programs to audiences. It provides a variety of content formats like microcourses, flashcards, daily practices, and questions. To boost employee engagement, you can also use comprehensive coaching, learning reinforcement, and gamification options. The Surge9 AI engine is designed to track each employee’s retention and assemble personalized practices to improve their long-term mastery.

10.Oust Labs

oust lab  is a mobile-first microlearning platform designed to help employers train their staff in an engaging way. It consists of a web app, mobile apps for both Android and iOS, and an authoring platform for creating learning content. Oust allows you to deliver voluminous content in the form of short gamified microcourses. The entire learning process on the platform is built around principles of gamification. Learners earn coins and badges that can be exchanged for gifts or cash. 

Features of microlearning:

Briefness: A module should be as concise as possible while adequately covering a single learning objective.

Focusedness: Involve narrow topics with need-to-know information. The modules should be specific and to-the-point.

Standalone nature: A microlearning module is independent and self-sufficient. It does not require access to any other training/learning modules. However, because of limited scope, a module should be part of a whole eLearning course.

Variety: Come in various types such as short videos, podcasts, flashcards, mini quizzes, infographics, interactive PDFs, or small nuggets of information via email. This varies learning experiences and increases learner interest.

Interactivity: Bite-sized learning includes as much interaction as possible to get learners involved and engage them. Interaction can come from simulations, clickable walkthroughs, drag-n-drop interactions, etc.

Flexibility: Microlearning is designed to work on multiple devices, from smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. It’s accessible on any device, at any time when learners get a little spare time on their hands.

ADVANTAGES of microlearning:-

•Can be delivered fast

•More affordable than conventional method 

•More flexible

•More engaging

•Improve knowledge retention

•More freedom to learners

•Easily updated

•Fast impact

•It is scalable

•It works globally

•Promotes peer-to-peer learning

•It improves return on investment (ROI)

•Inexpensive & efficient 

More advantages...

It's targeted:-

     Short modules can't cover much.But microlearning turns short eluration to good advantage.It filters out the redundent content while focusing on need -to-know one.so it avoids overwhelming learners & increase the ability to absorb retain information.it also consumes time.

It empasizes just-in-time learning:-

        No one wants to sit through an hour long presentation on dry topics as standards & policies .Many companies need knowledgeable persons who are already have some knowledge about that topic which is done by microlearning.

Disadvantages:-

•Creating great content takes time &effort.

•Fails to get an overall picture.

•Only targeted contents are covered

•No complex task is allowed 

•Scarcity for completing full course or topic.

• What is the future of microlearning?

Conclusion:-

Microlearning is simultaneously old and new. The concept of providing short, highly meaningful bits of instruction has been around for centuries. What’s new is the ability to deliver training to an employee or student’s smartphone via wireless or cellular technology. The need for using sound instructional design techniques isn’t gone—it’s still required.

Even though microlearning is shorter than other instructional initiatives, the best examples of microlearning still use time-tested instructional