Microlearning is an instructional method centred around delivering smaller chunks of content to learners at a time. This allows learners to focus on the material at hand and break complex topics into manageable pieces. An example of microlearning would be a short video or an interactive game that teaches concepts.
The purpose of microlearning is to help learners quickly absorb information and apply it to their lives or job roles. It has been used for many years in classroom settings, but is increasingly being used as an effective way to train employees in the digital world.
Microlearning is distinct from macro learning, which focuses on overarching topics and comprehensive lectures. Microlearning emphasises the mastering of specific concepts and ideas, while macro-learning attempts to cover the material in its entirety.
The five stages of microlearning include analysing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating. When analszing the situation, it is important to determine what material is necessary and how it can be broken down into smaller, more digestible pieces. The design process determines how the material will be presented and what elements will be used in the lesson. Developing the microlearning material involves writing the course and creating any associated materials, such as visuals or questions. Implementing the microlearning is simply launching the material for learners to access, and evaluating involves assessing the effectiveness of the microlearning.
Although microlearning is related to eLearning, the two are not the same. Microlearning is typically shorter and covers a specific topic, while eLearning covers a broad range of topics in a longer format.
The process for creating a micro lesson involves identifying the objectives, analyzing the target audience, creating the content, and creating any media or visual aids necessary. The content should be concise and focus on the key points relevant to the goals of the lesson.
A good microlearning lesson will engage the learner and provide the opportunity to practice the concepts learned. The visuals and media should be engaging, and the content should be organised, concise, and relevant to the learning objective.
Microlearning has its own set of challenges. Creating meaningful material that engages the learner and isn’t too time-consuming can be difficult. Additionally, determining the proper scope of each lesson and encouraging and measuring engagement with the material can be a challenge.
Organisations of all sizes and different industries use microlearning to provide employees with pertinent knowledge and skills quickly and effectively. With this particular strategy, learners are able to understand and apply complex topics without attending lengthy classroom sessions or reading comprehensive manuals.
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