How many of you rely on DIY videos posted on YouTube when you need to fix something in your home? And when you find the videos that are about the subject you need, do you prefer watching the really long, in-depth videos? Or, do you look for the ones that are the shortest, and easiest to follow?
If you’re like most people, then you likely prefer the short ones. In other words, you’re all about Microlearning.
Microlearning involves the use of short engagements in learning-related activities—typically ranging from a few seconds up to 20 minutes (or up to an hour in some cases)—that provide any combination of content presentation, review, practice, reflection, behavioral prompting, performance support, goal reminding, persuasive messaging, task assignments, social interaction, diagnosis, coaching, management interaction, or other learning-related methodologies.
In simple terms, it uses short, focused messaging that is designed to quickly and easily educate people.
Why Microlearning
Our need and demand for learning in the workplace isn’t decreasing, but our time devoted to creating effective learning programs is. Research from Bersin by Deloitte suggest that only 1% of a typical working week is devoted to training and development activities.
This is mostly because organizations often struggle with finding the time and resources to support professional development. Such pressure has forced many organizations to find more efficient ways to deliver quick and effective training, which is why many of them are turning to microlearning.
The medium is the message
While there are various ways to deliver microlearning, video is the ideal medium. Short, condensed videos that deliver a specific and easily digestible message ensure your audience gets what they need and when they need it.
Since the majority of people are visual learners, the ability to combine visual elements with audio increases the chances of knowledge transfer. Research has shown that people retain only 10% of auditory information after three days, compared to 65% when visual elements are incorporated into the learning.
As a result, the benefits of microlearning through video often speak for themselves. Videos make microlearning easily accessible through rich media, and are learner-centric. Meanwhile the use of video ensures businesses benefit from a shorter learning-development cycle, not the mention that video is much more affordable and easy to use.
Microlearning Tips
Here are a few things to consider when planning out your video-based microlearning strategy:
Keep it brief: To truly incorporate microlearning elements, your videos must be short, sweet and to the point. If you feel as though you cannot condense your content enough, consider breaking up your videos into several shorter segments. Don’t forget to also keep your topics short and concise.
Plan it: Just like any other type of content, plan out ahead of time what you are going to say. Since microlearning is all about brevity, ensure your script uses clear concise language that every employee will understand.
Make it engaging: Microlearning is not the same as sharing a Powerpoint. In other words, don’t use Microlearning modules to show off slides, but rather something more visual and interactive—like a live demo. In other words, this isn’t the place for long blocks of text.
Have a dedicated solution: A solid end-to-end video platform will give you everything you need to be successful in delivering microlearning through video. Video platforms are designed both to create and share microlearning content across your entire organization, regardless of where your employees are or what devices they prefer to use. There is also built-in functionality worth leveraging including polling or quizzing to ensure that your audience is understanding the topic of your microlearning video.
How many of you rely on DIY videos posted on YouTube when you need to fix something in your home? And when you find the videos that are about the subject you need, do you prefer watching the really long, in-depth videos? Or, do you look for the ones that are the shortest, and easiest to follow?
If you’re like most people, then you likely prefer the short ones. In other words, you’re all about Microlearning.
Microlearning involves the use of short engagements in learning-related activities—typically ranging from a few seconds up to 20 minutes (or up to an hour in some cases)—that provide any combination of content presentation, review, practice, reflection, behavioral prompting, performance support, goal reminding, persuasive messaging, task assignments, social interaction, diagnosis, coaching, management interaction, or other learning-related methodologies.
In simple terms, it uses short, focused messaging that is designed to quickly and easily educate people.
Why Microlearning
Our need and demand for learning in the workplace isn’t decreasing, but our time devoted to creating effective learning programs is. Research from Bersin by Deloitte suggest that only 1% of a typical working week is devoted to training and development activities.
This is mostly because organizations often struggle with finding the time and resources to support professional development. Such pressure has forced many organizations to find more efficient ways to deliver quick and effective training, which is why many of them are turning to microlearning.
The medium is the message
While there are various ways to deliver microlearning, video is the ideal medium. Short, condensed videos that deliver a specific and easily digestible message ensure your audience gets what they need and when they need it.
Since the majority of people are visual learners, the ability to combine visual elements with audio increases the chances of knowledge transfer. Research has shown that people retain only 10% of auditory information after three days, compared to 65% when visual elements are incorporated into the learning.
As a result, the benefits of microlearning through video often speak for themselves. Videos make microlearning easily accessible through rich media, and are learner-centric. Meanwhile the use of video ensures businesses benefit from a shorter learning-development cycle, not the mention that video is much more affordable and easy to use.
Microlearning Tips
Here are a few things to consider when planning out your video-based microlearning strategy:
Keep it brief: To truly incorporate microlearning elements, your videos must be short, sweet and to the point. If you feel as though you cannot condense your content enough, consider breaking up your videos into several shorter segments. Don’t forget to also keep your topics short and concise.
Plan it: Just like any other type of content, plan out ahead of time what you are going to say. Since microlearning is all about brevity, ensure your script uses clear concise language that every employee will understand.
Make it engaging: Microlearning is not the same as sharing a Powerpoint. In other words, don’t use Microlearning modules to show off slides, but rather something more visual and interactive—like a live demo. In other words, this isn’t the place for long blocks of text.
Have a dedicated solution: A solid end-to-end video platform will give you everything you need to be successful in delivering microlearning through video. Video platforms are designed both to create and share microlearning content across your entire organization, regardless of where your employees are or what devices they prefer to use. There is also built-in functionality worth leveraging including polling or quizzing to ensure that your audience is understanding the topic of your microlearning video.