Planning To Adopt Microlearning? 5 Microlearning Assets And How To Use Them

Planning To Adopt Microlearning? 5 Assets And How To Use Them
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Summary: While there are many microlearning assets, it all comes down to how well these are put to use for online learning. This article discusses how 5 popular microlearning assets can be used in the training framework to get the best results.

5 Microlearning Assets To Be Used For Online Training

Do you think microlearning is just a fad? Well, we know it’s quite the opposite now. Microlearning has been proving its mettle in the training industry, and we can’t stop gushing about it! Microlearning’s capability of providing short and just the right amount of information to enable learners to perform a specific objective makes it valuable in the business context. While there are many microlearning assets such as videos, infographics, and quizzes, it all comes down to how well these are put to use for online learning.

These assets can be used as standalone microlearning nuggets or as part of blended learning. This article explores how we can leverage 5 popular microlearning assets in the training framework to get the best results.

1. Quizzes To Check Existing Knowledge

You can use microlearning to engage learners even before the actual training begins. You must have heard about organizations using video trailers quite often to generate anticipation among employees about the forthcoming training. But, did you know you could use quiz-based microlearning assets for the same and more?

Quizzes not only allow you to test learners’ existing knowledge, but you can also use the results to assign only the necessary training. It brings forth the learning gap which needs to be filled with training to achieve the desired objective. Using a quiz-based microlearning asset gives you the benefits of:

  • Telling learners what they will be learning in the training, based on their performance
  • Motivating them to take the training
  • Testing them periodically, after a training program

2. Videos For Demonstration

According to the 'learning pyramid', the demonstration method of learning leads to 30% retention of information. Well, with advances in technology, this method can be harnessed more smartly to produce better effectiveness. How? By incorporating videos.

Microlearning videos are the medium of the moment, considering their capability to cater to various training needs, be it sales training, product training, or software training to name a few. Have you noticed how short videos on social media platforms have started to commandeer most of our feeds for various purposes? Similarly, micro videos in eLearning can be used to:

  • Demonstrate features and step-by-step procedures. For instance, the internal machine parts that are hard to explain otherwise
  • Explain an abstract idea or a new concept
  • Provide a different take for learners who prefer text, as animated videos with audio are also a version of videos

3. Infographics For Quick Takeaways

Infographics come in handy when it comes to the reinforcement of proper application of knowledge at the workplace. They offer at-a-glance information that is extremely helpful in summarizing key takeaways disseminated in a lengthy training program. The visual nature of infographics succeeds in appealing to learners and leads to higher retention and recall.

Additionally, if you think a static infographic is failing to impact learning positively, you can go with motion infographics. What are these? Static infographics can be brought to life with motion in the form of animated infographics, GIFs, interactive infographics, or motion graphics.

Interactive infographics can be used to provide links to additional resources of information, allowing learners to learn in-depth when needed. Read how microlearning assets were used in an onboarding process to get new employees up to speed on company rules and policies.

4. Interactive PDFs To Replace Lengthy Documents

You might be wondering: PDFs don’t really fit into the microlearning bandwagon, right? However, gone are the days when PDFs were a mere digital version of lengthy documents. Over time, this digital asset has evolved to become competent enough to cater to various training needs. How? Just as static infographics can be made more compelling using motion, your conventional PDFs can be jazzed-up in various ways with interactivities.

Interactive PDFs offer the scope of linkage to more information, deepening the training whenever an employee is ready to learn in-depth about a specific subject. These can be used when employees want to learn more than the key takeaways from infographics. Needless to say, interactive PDFs offer the benefits of:

  • Interactions and layering of information that is pretty similar to eLearning or mLearning courses
  • Embedding of audio and video links to make learning more intriguing and engaging
  • Quick updates and the ability to pack a lot of information in a single document

5. Game-Based Nuggets To Hone Specific Skills

Have you heard of everyone’s recent favorite game, PUBG? Been called a once-in-a-generation kind of game, it has taken the gaming industry by storm. Now, what if eLearning were made this immersive to hone learners’ skill sets?

Well, game-based microlearning nuggets will help you in emulating the immersive environment that actual games offer. It essentially means developing a fully-playable game around your learning content. Incorporating badges, scoreboards, and leaderboards will motivate learners toward the learning content, not rendering learning a tedious task. Since microlearning deals with one learning objective at a time, each one can be gamified to hone specific skills. Short game-based nuggets also enhance the scope of better retention and applicability.

For instance, who wouldn’t love a treasure hunt? The game-based microlearning nugget can be tailored to help learners identify the most important objects which need to be used during a hazardous situation. These microlearning assets can become part of your formal training as well as Performance Support Tools. Game-based nuggets can be created for assessments as well if you want to raise the engagement bar in quizzes.

Although these are some of the top microlearning assets, the options are not limited to just these. However, you can use these assets to create eLearning for your employees, much easier than ever. And the key lies in selecting the microlearning form based on function. With microlearning, your organization will be investing in the development of effective, efficient, and affordable learning solutions for your employees.