How to Use Microlearning in Corporate Training: Best Tips and Challenges

Integrating microlearning in corporate training is the next revolutionary step to advance workplace learning and training strategy and improve the results. Corporate training is crucial to employee development, but traditional training methods can be time-consuming, expensive, and often ineffective.

In recent years, microlearning in corporate training has emerged as a highly effective method of training that can enhance employee productivity, improve knowledge retention, and ultimately lead to better business outcomes.

Let’s explore how microlearning takes corporate training to the next level and helps your organization stay ahead of the competition.

What is Microlearning?

Microlearning involves delivering small, bite-sized pieces of information to learners in a short period of time, typically between three to five minutes. This learning and training strategy is designed to fit into employees’ busy schedules. It can be delivered through videos, podcasts, infographics, quizzes, and interactive games.

Embedding microlearning in corporate training strategy can help combat the Forgetting Curve by allowing learners to engage with the material frequently and in small doses. By spacing out learning sessions over time, learners can better retain information in their long-term memory.

Besides, microlearning can be easily integrated into daily routines, making learners more likely to consistently engage with the material.

Let’s look at some statistics that demonstrate the effectiveness of microlearning in corporate training:

• Microlearning modules can increase engagement levels by over 50%. According to a Software Advice survey, 58% of U.S. employees are more likely to use their company’s online learning tools if the content is divided into multiple, shorter lessons.
• According to Ray Jimenez, Ph.D., as explained in his eBook ‘3-Minute eLearning,’ microlearning can cut course development costs by 50% and help with 300% faster development
• According to MobieTrain, compared to traditional eLearning tools, mobile microlearning enables 50% better knowledge retention and 4X higher engagement

So, how can you make microlearning a resounding success in your organization’s training program?

Achieving Training Excellence with 5 Tips for Microlearning in Corporate Training

Microlearning is a great way to strengthen or support corporate training. Several training sessions, especially classroom training, are a one-and-done activity. They offer few opportunities to apply the learning practically. But thanks to microlearning, you can not only ensure employees participate in short, targeted practice sessions within the flow of work but also retain the knowledge.

Here are some practical tips for applying microlearning in corporate training.

1. Identify your learning objectives

Before creating microlearning modules, it’s essential to identify your learning objectives. What skills do you want employees to learn? What knowledge gaps do you want to identify and bridge? With learning objectives, you can ensure your microlearning modules are relevant and effective.

2. Keep it short and focused

Microlearning is all about delivering small pieces of information in a short amount of time. Keep your modules focused on one specific topic and aim to deliver them in three to five minutes. With this approach, you can ensure employees easily fit training into their busy schedules. Moreover, employees will be more likely to engage with the training material.

3. Make it interactive

Microlearning doesn’t have to be a one-way street. Incorporate interactive elements such as quizzes, games, and simulations to keep employees engaged and reinforce learning. With this approach, employees can retain the information they are learning and apply it to real-life work.

4. Deliver it in bite-sized chunks

A key benefit of microlearning is its ability to deliver training in bite-sized chunks. With microlearning, employees can quickly learn in the flow of work. Microlearning also helps prevent information overload.

5. Use video as a primary format

Video is a highly effective format for microlearning because it can convey complex information in a short amount of time. It is also highly engaging and can be delivered on various devices. Consider creating video-based microlearning modules to maximize engagement and knowledge retention.

5 Questions to Ask Before Implementing Microlearning Strategy

With microlearning, you can deliver training in bite-sized chunks, focus on specific learning objectives, incorporate interactive elements, and even use video as a primary format. This approach can help your organizations create highly engaging and effective microlearning modules for employee development.

Ask these crucial questions to yourself before implementing your microlearning strategy.

Q1. What are the learning objectives of the microlearning strategy?

Examples of learning objectives could be to improve employee knowledge retention or increase learning engagement.

Q2. Who is the target audience?

Determine the target audience and their learning preferences and needs to ensure the content is relevant and accessible.

Q3. Which type of content will be applicable for microlearning?

Decide which type of content (video, podcast, article, or quiz) will help meet the learning objectives and best suit the target audience.

Q4. Which technology and resources are needed to implement microlearning?

Search for the best technology and resources to create and deliver microlearning content.

Q5. How can one measure the success of the microlearning strategy?

Determine the metrics to measure the effectiveness of the microlearning program and adjust as necessary.

Top 5 Challenges of Using Microlearning in Corporate Training

Despite the numerous benefits associated with microlearning, discussing the challenges organizations face when implementing this unique learning and training strategy is crucial.

1. Content development

Developing high-quality, engaging, and relevant microlearning content can be challenging. Creating effective microlearning content requires a clear understanding of the learning objectives, the target audience, and the format for delivering the content.

2. Technology infrastructure

Microlearning requires a robust technology infrastructure to deliver and track the content effectively. Organizations need to ensure their LMS is equipped to handle microlearning content and can provide analytics and insights into learner performance.

3. Learner engagement

Keeping learners engaged and motivated to complete microlearning modules can be challenging. Ensure the content is visually appealing, interactive, and designed with the learner in mind.

4. Integration with existing learning programs

Integrating microlearning with existing learning programs can be a challenge. Your microlearning modules must align with the learning goals and complement the existing training curriculum.

5. Measurement of learning outcomes

Measuring the effectiveness of microlearning can be challenging, as traditional methods of measuring learning outcomes may not be suitable for this approach. Organizations need to develop new assessment and evaluation methods to measure the impact of microlearning on learner performance.