What is microlearning?
As its name suggests, microlearning refers to quick, short-form pieces of learning content, usually lasting between two to five minutes. It can come in many formats, including text, video, and graphics. The bottom line that makes a content piece microlearning is that it’s bite-sized, focuses on a specific topic, and is easy for learners to digest. In other words, microlearning offers what a typical, 20-minute e-learning course can’t: brevity and specificity.
Because of its nature, microlearning is the ideal solution to keep up with today’s mobile-driven digital audiences with shorter attention spans.
Learn more about what microlearning is and its benefits.
Best microlearning examples
Let’s look at some examples of microlearning courses and content and the effect they have on learners:
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Mobile apps for skills training
Mobile learning — another e-learning trend — can be a form of microlearning. There are many mobile apps offering short courses that enable quick, digital learning optimized for small screens. Headspace, for example, is an app that guides users through short meditation sessions lasting as short as 3 minutes. This type of app makes it easy for users to pick up a new skill (i.e. practicing mindfulness) without having to invest too much time.
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Infographics for quick facts
As the name implies, infographics are visually engaging graphics that summarize complex subjects, usually featuring key takeaways in the form of numbers and short text. The Visual Capitalist, for example, is an online publisher that creates data-driven visuals on complex topics like the global economy, with the mission to “help cut through the clutter and simplify a complex world.”
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Social media as a microblogging tool
Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram can be used for more than just storytelling. Twitter’s 280-character limit, for example, challenges educational content creators to deliver tips and insights quickly so users can digest information in a matter of seconds. Similarly, the more visual platform of Instagram can be used to share infographics or short videos to educate users quickly.
Discover how to develop microlearning content.