Why Microlearning Is the Future of Employee Training

Categories: Recruitment Advice, Trends and Learning
Group of people seated facing each other in a meeting room
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Employee training often poses a challenge for employers. While it is a vital part of every growth strategy, it can be difficult to determine the best way to execute it and how you can achieve the best possible results without demanding too much of your staff.

In this post, we’ll discuss microlearning and why it is the future of employee training that can help you teach your staff more in less time. Read on to also learn how you can implement microlearning in your own business.

What Is Microlearning?

Microlearning can be described as bite-sized information gathering. Essentially, it’s administering small chunks of data related to a specific skill or a concept. It’s a great way to impart information without overwhelming your trainees, and it allows you to use all kinds of formats: text, audio, video, and even games and quizzes.

The aim is to promote retention and engagement, as well as to boost learner focus. As the individual knows there is a very short period of time ahead when they need to be on their A-game, they are able to perform much better than in longer and more exhausting classes.

Here’s why you should consider implementing it as a part of your employee training schemes:

It Is More Efficient

Microlearning courses are more precise and only focus on the essential information. They also aim to say as much as possible within a limited timeframe, so there will be no superfluous details involved.

In fact, microlearning is 17% more effective than traditional modules, and it can also boost information retention rates by up to 80%. You won’t have to keep repeating the same information, and you can rest assured that the key information has been imparted and acknowledged.

It Is More Cost-Effective

Microlearning is most often a virtual experience, so it can be much more cost-effective than any other form of employee training. If you’re able to provide video or audio lessons or perhaps short textual guides, you won’t need to hire an instructor or organize a time and a place for everyone to meet.

In fact, it wouldn’t make sense to gather your staff together for the 10-15 minutes it will take them to run through one module of a microlearning training course. This means everyone will still be able to work their full hours and won’t have to take any time out of their day to attend a lecture.

It Provides More Freedom

Most students will benefit from learning at their own pace. This is another advantage microlearning provides for your employees: they can learn at a time that suits them most without having to worry about schedules or focus.

It also eliminates the fear some people feel about having to demonstrate their understanding or knowledge among a group of peers. Instead, they can come back and discuss a subject once they’ve already mastered it.

It Supports Just-in-Time Learning

Just-in-time learning gives employees access to information when they need it and how they need it. It doesn’t ask them to focus on anything that is not required of them in the immediate future.

For example, if you are launching a new product, you won’t have to prepare your staff well in advance. They can micro-learn everything they need to know just before you release it, and they won’t be burdened by overthinking and overcomplicating a process before they actually need to handle it.

It Is Mobile-Friendly

Microlearning also means that your employees can learn on the go at any time they want to. They don’t even have to be in the office, as they can access all the materials from their mobile phones. So, they can refresh their memory at any time and even make their commute much more engaging.

How to Make Microlearning Work for You

If you would like to start using microlearning as a way to train your own staff, make sure you create the kinds of micro-materials that support this form of information retention.

Don’t write long manuals, and don’t provide any information that is not absolutely necessary. Focus on the essentials, and let your employees know they can come to you if they have any follow-up questions.

Make sure the materials are accessible remotely. Keep updating them, especially if some of your employees come back with useful and interesting points that can help you improve your material or make it shorter.

Final Thoughts

Microlearning is a great way to boost your employee training efforts and empower your staff. They will no longer be burdened with immense materials to go through, and they can rest assured they’ve mastered everything they need to excel at their job.