Microlearning refers to a method of learning in which the learner completes a course in small sections at a time. This allows the learner to study at their own pace, even for just a few minutes a day. The courses are created to divide the information into specific small segments that can be learned in increments. These courses are often called bite-sized as they provide small portions of the content in easily digestible chunks. The learner progresses through the course by finishing one concept at a time, usually being quizzed at the end to ensure mastery before moving on.
Microlearning may also be referred to as nano learning. Nano learning is defined similarly to microlearning as it consists of learning content in bite-sized increments or components. The prefix nano is used to describe something very small or minute amounts when measured. Microlearning and nano learning can generally be used interchangeably.
Microlearning can come in many forms, depending on the type of learning content being provided. It most commonly includes images, text, videos, or a combination of these. Different formats can be used in various ways within each of the modules for that course. In general, a microlearning lesson typically provides particular information about a broader course topic. The complete course often consists of multiple microlearning lessons that cover the full breadth of the course material.
Benefits of Microlearning
There are many benefits of microlearning for both students and teachers. It can be used by students in all grade levels, even at the college level. In general, it improves overall retention for students. Traditional learning methods may require longer periods of learning before students are assessed, which means the students may retain less information after a certain amount of time. Microlearning breaks up the content in shorter increments and includes brief quizzes at the end, ensuring students understand and retain more of the content. It is especially ideal for non-traditional learners, students who learn better in smaller increments, students with different learning abilities and styles, students aiming to get ahead in their classes, and students in college who want to create their own schedules as they learn new skills.
Improves Comprehension
Teachers can use microlearning methods for students who want to expand their learning or those who are falling behind. Teachers can assign lessons in addition to the content taught in the classroom. Students can gain additional skills or knowledge in specific subject areas. Students with shorter attention spans can also benefit from microlearning since the content is broken down. This keeps the student engaged and allows them to learn the content more effectively by focusing on one topic at a time.
Enables Better Time Management
Microlearning is especially beneficial for busy teachers who need to incorporate certain topics into their curriculum. Teachers must ensure that everyone is learning the necessary skills and these microlearning courses can help them to determine who is staying on track. Implementing microlearning can also reduce the time spent on grading and create more time for grading other assignments as the students are watching these clips. They can also be assigned as homework projects to allow the students to learn in their own free time.
Allows Progress Tracking
Teachers can easily track the progress of students who are taking the microlearning courses. The sites are typically set up with features that allow the administrator to check in on the progress of the students. With this tool, the process is streamlined and provides additional time for teachers to enhance their lesson plans and grade other projects. This is especially useful when the microlearning lessons are assigned for homework or outside of the classroom.
Microlearning Strategies for the Classroom
Enhancements in technology have provided more options for teachers and students when it comes to learning. Microlearning is one method that has become a growing trend both in and out of the classroom. Students can now learn complex subjects with courses that are created in smaller increments, allowing them to focus on one portion of the topic in shorter intervals. Microlearning provides an alternative way to learn key concepts and subjects.
Teachers use microlearning in the classroom due to its flexibility. It can help cater to students who learn better by reviewing the content in smaller segments. It is also easily integrated with school curriculums. Because of this, many teachers have begun to implement microlearning courses within the lesson plans. They make use of platforms with libraries of content, or even create their own courses specific to their curriculum. Various platforms are available for teachers who want to incorporate microlearning techniques.
Microlearning benefits both the person administering the lessons and the student when implemented. A teacher might use a microlearning course to enhance the students' skills in a particular subject that is complex. For example, students in a science class could use the microlearning course to better understand a particular concept. Students can improve their knowledge of science by watching short clips of experiments that take place out in the field. This helps the teacher by providing material that is pertinent to the curriculum and it helps the students by completing the lesson with real examples of experts working in their fields.
Microlearning can also be a great tool for college students. With a heavy course load or a complex subject, microlearning offers students the ability to learn and master a concept before moving on to the next, creating a building block effect. Many microlearning platforms also offer portability, allowing students to conveniently cover a lesson on their phone or tablet from anywhere at any time.
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Microlearning Examples
Various types of content are used in microlearning. Depending on the type of content being taught, this can range from visual content to text. Some types of content may be more beneficial and provide more understanding for the student taking the course. For example, microlearning courses that cover graphic design would need visual aids like images and videos for reference. On the other hand, a course about literature would simply need text to fully understand the concepts being discussed. The student can easily apply the concepts learned and does not need additional visual aids to comprehend the subject.
Microlearning platforms may contain different types of content geared to the needs of the learner. Visual aids may be more practical than text in some instances, while videos may be necessary to explain complex processes. Some of the common types of content used as microlearning examples include:
Example
Explanation
Images
Displaying images can help the learner to understand the topic with more context. These are especially helpful for creative classes, like art or music, as well as other areas that would be better explained with the use of images or graphics, such as science. Many topics can generally provide better context when images are added to the course. Images may include other types of visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and other data-driven content that can help to better explain numbers.
Text
Courses that use text are simply using words to explain the topic. This can be in the form of articles, blog posts, written lessons, and other content that uses written words. For microlearning, text may be divided into small paragraphs with snippets of information or broken up into different sections, just as in a PowerPoint presentation. Text used in microlearning should be to the point and provide the basic information necessary so that the student can quickly grasp the topic being discussed.
Videos
Using videos can help to learn a subject as if the learner was in the classroom with the teacher. Videos can include more specific instructions to show how to do something or explain a process in further detail. These videos can provide viewpoints from experts on specific topics to help students understand more complex material. For microlearning, videos generally could be considered clips since they would typically only cover a few minutes' worth of content. Videos can be used in learning platforms, as well as other forms of microlearning such as social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Quizzes
Online tests and quizzes can be used in microlearning to determine if the student is on track. These can take different forms, such as fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, short answer, and matching. In microlearning courses, these will generally be short quizzes that cover a section or chapter of the course, rather than a comprehensive test covering all the material.
Games
Interactive games provide a way for the learner to apply the skills being learned. Gamification can help the learner to determine their progress and where they need improvements. Microlearning generally makes use of games that keep the student engaged and interested in covering to learn the content. They can also be played at their own pace. They can be a great way to essentially test the knowledge of the student.
Microlearning Platforms for Students
Various platforms are available online for teachers to use in and out of the classroom as well as learners who want to study at their own pace. Microlearning platforms can range from general education and informative topics to more specific areas of learning. These platforms may be referred to as learning management systems, or LMS.
Some of these microlearning platforms are geared directly to teachers in the classroom environment, while others are geared toward individuals who want to increase their knowledge in certain subject areas. Each offer features that can help teachers with time management and organization and offer students other helpful tools to aid with learning. The following are some examples of features for students and teachers that are offered with Study.com's microlearning courses:
Lesson completion tracking
Homework assigning
Note taking
Chat and messaging
Multiple language support
Transcripts and closed captioning
Downloadable lessons, assignments, and prep tools
Test prep elements, such as flashcards
Compatibility with existing content
Integration with other media
Customizable courses
Short quizzes, lesson tests, and course final exams
Automated assignment grading
Student activities, exercises and ice breakers
Desktop and mobile access
Social Media as a Microlearning Tool
Microlearning is not limited to the platforms that are specifically made for online learning. Some other well-known sites and resources, such as social media platforms, can also assist students as they learn a new skill. Using social media sites as microlearning tools might be more informal than other formats, but it also provides more ways to engage with others who are learning the same skills or who want to interact with others about a certain topic.
While microlearning videos might be incorporated into some of the lessons in the platforms mentioned, students can also watch similar videos on social media sites, such as YouTube and Instagram. Many tutorials and how-to videos are created not only by influencers but also by the experts in these fields. Many students already have accounts on these social media platforms, making it easy to quickly search for a topic and learn about it. Social media then provides familiarity for the students, so they are practical to use outside of the classroom to gain additional insight on a topic.
Implementing Microlearning Strategies
Students who are learning through microlearning platforms can implement a few strategies to stay on track. To ensure that the courses are completed by a certain date, the student (or their teacher) can opt to create a schedule. Many of these platforms offer courses with enough information to grasp a topic that only requires a few minutes daily. Taking just five minutes on the way to or after school, or even just on the weekends, can help to reach this goal.
Using microlessons online is going to require some technology devices, and possibly some accessories as well. For example, a course with audio or video would require a working speaker or a headset. Other courses might not have many requirements but might have better quality with some upgrades. Courses that focus on graphic design might benefit from using a device with a touchscreen and a stylus pen. In general, most courses are simply going to require a fast internet connection and a computer. Many courses are also able to be completed by using an app or a browser on a smartphone.
Teachers who are creating their own content with the use of these microlearning platforms can also implement some strategies along the way. They should determine what the goals are for students and make sure it matches the curriculum. These microlearning strategies and goals should align with the overall goals of the classroom and the subjects being taught. In general, these lessons should only be a few minutes to be effective in the learning process. Each microlesson should focus on one specific topic and make sure that the lesson goal is simple and achievable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a microlearning platform?
A microlearning platform is a website that consists of various learning activities and courses. It provides lessons that can be completed in small increments that are usually able to be done in 5-15 minutes. Some contain short quizzes after each lesson to ensure the student has mastered the concept before moving on.
What is an example of microlearning?
An example of microlearning is a 5-minute video that demonstrates a key concept within a larger subject. For example, in an algebra course, instead of one longer lesson that teaches everything about linear equations, a microlearning model may have multiple lessons within the subject of linear equations that discuss each of its elements, such as separate small lessons on parts of a graph, intercepts, graphing to a rule, graphing an undefined slope, graphing a zero slope, defining a system of equations, using a system of equations. Each of these shorter lessons would quiz the student on the single concept before moving on to the next.
What is the purpose of microlearning?
The main purpose of microlearning is to divide up the content in educational courses into smaller components of information. It offers more engagement and higher retention for students as well as a way for teachers to more quickly identify areas where students are struggling.