2. Microlearning: Bite-Sized Training for Meal sized Results

Upskilling and Reskilling - learning for adult learners

As discussed in our previous Article, agility and adaptability of it's workforce is the ultimate competitive advantage a company may hold over its competitors. And upskilling and reskilling act as the means to achieve this advantage (Chakma & Chaijinda, 2020). When designing training programmes for the purpose of upskilling and reskilling employees, it is important to bear in mind that the adult learners - as opposed to children - have different learning needs and preferences. For instance, the memory span or the attention span of an adult human is significantly shorter compared to that of a child. Further, a survey (Gausby, 2015) conducted by Microsoft indicates that the average attention span of an adult human has dropped to eight seconds, which is shorter than the attention span of a goldfish. Microlearning offers a solution to this challenge by breaking down complex information into bitesized, easily digestible chunks.
 
This approach also aligns with the busy schedules and limited time availability of working professionals, enabling them to fit learning into their daily routines. 

How many of us can make time on a regular basis to sit down and read a book?  Yet most of us have watched those two minute “HOW TO” or “EXPLAIN LIKE I’M FIVE” videos on youtube. (www.futuretools.io, n.d.) It could be while we were commuting to work, while we have a short coffee break or while we lay on the comfort of our beds after a long day at work!  Although the theory behind those videos might be foreign to us, what we have been doing is a form of microlearning.

Microlearning; the theory and trends

Microlearning is an emerging method of teaching that places an emphasis on giving students brief, targeted learning units. These lessons are quick, usually lasting no more than fifteen minutes, and they focus on one specific, well-defined concept or subject. Microcontent and brief learning durations are two of microlearning's primary characteristics which make it a practical and efficient way to acquire knowledge.

In work-based learning environments, employees are required to promptly pick up specialised information or skills to satisfy urgent demands that may be caused by the fluctuation of external factors affecting business. Therefore it is essential that the strategies designed for upskilling and reskilling employees be easily accessible to the employees. Hence, the current trend is to use E-learning as an efficient way of transforming the micro learning process. Microlearning allows the employees at any time of their convenience to access the micro learning content on any device of their choice,  Further, a study shows that many microlearning-related research and publications were conducted from the perspective of e-learning or mobile learning. This reflects technologies, particularly mobile technologies, playing an important role in the development of microlearning. (www.emerald.com, n.d.)

Corporate Microlearning; Practical examples

Several companies have successfully implemented microlearning to upskill and reskill their workforce. For instance, Amazon utilizes microlearning modules for onboarding new employees and providing ongoing training on company policies, procedures, and safety protocols.(www.amazon.com, n.d.) This ensures a smooth onboarding experience and a well-informed workforce.

On the other hand, online learning platforms are also becoming increasingly popular among the corporate learners as a way of micro learning. The best example in this regard is Trailhead.

Trailhead is a gamified online learning platform. It assists employees and companies in upskilling and reskilling by offering games targeted at sharpening interpersonal and business skills like data literacy and emotional intelligence. The platform operates as a game whereby upon completing each module the employee receives a badge. Higher the amount of badges, higher up in the Trailblazer ranks you may climb. Trailhead introduces these badges as being  achievements in ‘bite-sized conversational modules and step-by-step instruction-based projects’. (Conklin, 2021)

Another important platform is i-Reach. I-Reach focuses on Mobile-Based Microlearning. Today’s learners are more connected to their mobiles than any other device. I-Reach uses microlearning to ‘deliver bite-sized doses of education that take just minutes to absorb. No time commitment necessary’. (Anon, n.d.)

Developing Your Microlearning Strategy

It is important to note that some of the platforms we discussed above, do not require the employees to open accounts. Which would mean that even without the involvement of a company or an employer any individual looking to develop themselves may simply do so!

If a company or an employer intends to design a customized upskilling and reskilling strategy for their company there are certain key factors that must be taken into account.

• Identify Skill Gaps: Conduct a skill gap analysis to determine the specific skills your employees need to acquire.
• Set Learning Objectives: Define clear and measurable objectives for each microlearning module.
• Choose the Right Format: Select the most suitable format (video, infographic, etc.) based on the learning content and the learning styles of the team members
• Deliver and Track Progress: Utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver microlearning modules and track employee progress.

  

When addressing the recent trends in microlearning for companies, the use of advanced technology is a topic that keeps coming up. Specially with the instant rise to fame of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, using the same in learning and development has become a trend in itself. In the upcoming Article the HR-Odyssey hope to shed some light on AI based learning and development for companies.

 

Until then, Smooth Sails!

 

  
References

 

1.            Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/

2.       Anon, (n.d.). i-Context. [online] Available at: https://i-context.io/ [Accessed 21 Mar. 2024].

3.     Clark, Ruth Colvin. Learning Theories in Educational Practice. Corwin Press, 2018. 

4.    Conklin, H. (2021). What Is Trailhead? All About Salesforce’s Free Online Learning Platform. [online] The 360 Blog from Salesforce. Available at: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/what-is-trailhead/. 

5.         Conrad, Robert M., and Donald P. HRabin. The Art of the Flip: A Practical Guide to Turning Reading into Active Learning. Stylus Publishing, LLC, 2015. 

6.     McGonigal, Will. SuperBetter: How Games Can Change the Way We Live. Penguin Books, 2011. 

7.   Rashid, Tahira, et al. "A Review of Learning Design in Microlearning." Educational Technology & Society, vol. 15, no. 4, 2012, pp. 147-161. 

8.         Rosenberg, Michael J. E-Learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age. ABC-CLIO, 2018. 

9.           Salesforce Trailhead: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/ 

10.  The Definitive Guide to Microlearning; The what, why, and how-to guide to leveraging microlearning. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.valamis.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/microlearning-guide.pdf.‌

11.  www.emerald.com. (n.d.). Journal of Work-Applied Management | Emerald Insight. [online] Available at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2205-2062.htm. 

12.  www.futuretools.io. (n.d.). Future Tools - Explain Like I’m Five. [online] Available at: https://www.futuretools.io/tools/explain-like-i-m-five.