A survey by Bersin & Associates found that 70% of organizations are using Microlearning, and that number is expected to grow to 90% in the coming years.
As the world of work and skills moves forward, so does employee training.
Long training sessions where employees are removed from their jobs for hours or days are a thing of the past.
It’s the age of Microlearning, a concise, effective, and easy-to-grasp training methodology that is more suitable for today’s work-centric employees. But what is Microlearning, what is its significance, and how can it be utilized to create a skilled and responsive workforce? Let’s take a look.
Index:
Microlearning For Employee Training: What Is It?
Microlearning is delivering content in small and digestible pieces. Imagine sessions of 5-10 minutes instead of day long workshops or modules that employees can complete in between their daily tasks. These bite-sized lessons can be in the form of videos, quizzes, flashcards, infographics, or brief and interactive modules.
Microlearning focuses on shorter bursts of learning that make it easier to retain and absorb information. Think about how you might learn a new language on a popular app with just a few phrases a day. Microlearning takes that same concept and applies it to workplace skills, from customer service tips to complex technical training.
It doesn’t aim to replace traditional training entirely but rather complements it. It is actually a powerful tool that adapts to employees’ needs. It allows them to learn on the go, fitting right into their schedules without causing significant disruptions to productivity.
The Benefits Of Microlearning: Why It Matters?
We all know that attention spans are shorter than ever. With constant notifications, deadlines, and multiple projects, employees don’t have the bandwidth to sit through long presentations.
Research has shown that learners can recall information more effectively when it is presented in short, concentrated chunks. Microlearning is particularly suited for employees who are often digitally engaged and have limited time, yet it still allows for effective content retention.
Higher retention rates
Some research suggests that Microlearning can improve retention rates by 20% compared to traditional learning. When you process only a small part of information at a time, you are more likely to remember it.
Increased engagement
Microlearning involves interactive learning. A short video or quiz captures attention much more effectively than hours of slideshow presentations. It is actually designed to keep learners interested and involved.
Skill adaptability
In the industry, skills are rapidly evolving. In such a situation, Microlearning for employee training helps them stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques without overhauling their schedules.
It allows flexibility
It adjusts well to the schedules and preferences of the employees. It provides on-the-go access to knowledge. This ensures that employees can indulge in training and development sessions whenever it is convenient for them.
Microlearning is simple, direct, and effective. It helps employees get better at their jobs without overwhelming them with details they are unlikely to remember.
| Aspect | Traditional Learning | Microlearning |
| Format | Long training sessions or workshops | Short, focused modules |
| Engagement level | Decreases over time | High due to short interactive content |
| Retention rate | Lower due to content overload | Higher with targeted manageable content |
| Flexibility | Rigid scheduled sessions | Allows self-paced learning |
| Customization | Generalized content for all | Personalized based on job roles or needs |
The Future Of Microlearning: Employee Training Trends
Gamification
Involving elements like points, badges, and leader boards makes Microlearning more fun and exciting while promoting healthy competition among learners. Gamification taps into the human tendency to seek achievements and recognition, transforming learning into an engaging experience.
Involvement of AI
Incorporating artificial intelligence in Microlearning helps customize the form of learning to fit the learning habits of individual users. How responsive would employees be if they received similar yet customized training addressing their past performances, experiences, and weak areas? Microlearning driven by AI will make the various trainings more efficient and accurate.
Interactive experience with AR/ VR
Workers in manufacturing, healthcare, and or any services that involve hands-on training will greatly benefit from augmented and or virtual reality in their quest to acquire Microlearning. Picture a mechanic learning to fix a complex machine through a VR simulation or a healthcare worker practicing procedures with AR-guided instructions.
Feedback looping
One of the major loopholes in education today is the delivery of content without a means to assess its effectiveness. The future looks promising with the introduction of Microlearning, which will likely utilize AI feedback systems.
These systems will allow managers and trainers to evaluate the impact of each module without leaving their desks. This approach provides an opportunity for ongoing development since learning materials can be updated based on what proves to be most effective.
Knowledge Hubs
Future trends indicate that companies will have extensive libraries of training materials available instantly as Microlearning continues to gain popularity. This approach is expected to be particularly useful for employees who need quick refreshers on topics relevant to their jobs and the specific demands they face each day. Having a library of resources ensures that training is always accessible.
How Is HRMS Leading The Way In Microlearning?
- By offering bite-sized, targeted training sessions, HRMS enables employees to learn at their own pace, addressing specific knowledge gaps without overwhelming them with information.
- It is especially effective in maintaining engagement, as it supports retention by integrating learning into daily workflows rather than setting aside extensive hours for training.
- HROne’s system includes various resources and modules tailored to Microlearning, such as quizzes, assessments, and short videos, which can be accessed on mobile devices.
- This approach not only improves training outcomes but also encourages continuous skill development and supports strategic growth goals by making learning accessible anytime, anywhere.
- Through HROne’s analytics, businesses can also monitor progress and identify additional training needs, ensuring an adaptive learning journey for each employee.
Conclusion: Making The Shift To Microlearning
Microlearning is transforming modern workplace training by making it quicker, more flexible, and more effective. Regardless of their other responsibilities, microlearning enables employees to learn new skills or enhance existing ones through shorter, more relevant formats. This trend is particularly important as organizations increasingly recognize the need for flexible and scalable training solutions that can be easily integrated into their existing processes.
Embracing microlearning is beneficial not only for employees and their development but also helps organizations remain competitive in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving work environment.