What Is Microlearning? Definition, Use Cases, and More

Key takeaways

Microlearning is a way of gaining knowledge that breaks information into small chunks, typically five to ten minutes long. 

• Microlearning encompasses microcopy, videos, apps, games, and infographics that deliver bite-sized content. 

• Both businesses and campuses can implement microlearning as a pedagogical strategy. 

• You can implement microlearning by thinking ahead when developing a program and by collecting data to refine your learning and development (L&D) program. 

Explore what microlearning is, why it's effective, its advantages and disadvantages, and how enterprises can implement a microlearning strategy.

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What is microlearning?

Microlearning is a pedagogical strategy that creates “bite-sized” units of information for learners. The bite-sized pieces are given in short modules, helping to motivate and restructure the ways in which learners absorb knowledge. Microlearning has its roots in Hermann Ebbinghaus’s concept called the “forgetting curve,” which says that people only retain 24 percent of the information learned after a month from first encountering it [1].

The use of microlearning benefits both learners and educators, whether they are professors or managers, as learner can address knowledge gaps without taking up too much time. 

Read more: E-Learning: The Business Case for Your Organization

Microlearning examples

Microlearning comes in a variety of forms and methods of content delivery. Microlearning modules work well when they’re around five minutes. Common microlearning types include:

• Microcopy

• Microlearning videos

• Microlearning apps

• Microlearning games

• Infographics

Examine each microlearning format and the kinds of content they use. 

Microcopy

Microcopy consists of small text fragments that help users navigate through digital spaces, such as websites and apps. Microcopy often comes in the form of call-to-action (CTA) buttons, but takes on many other forms:

• Error messages

• Success messages

• Tool tips

• Loading messages

• Captions

• Image alt texts

• Notifications

These kinds of messages help users learn how to navigate and take advantage of digital products. Clear microcopy is essential, as it creates a fluid relationship between the user and the website or application, while confusing microcopy may frustrate users. 

Microlearning videos

Microlearning videos offer learners short snippets of information to teach something specific in a short, easily digestible length of time, such as two to five minutes. These kinds of videos include:

• Interactive videos

• Microlectures

• Whiteboard animations

• Text-based animations 

Main spaces where microlearning is effective include: 

• Education

• Employee training

• Customer service

Effective microlearning videos have a singular objective, using a combination of storytelling and visuals to teach critical information succinctly. Microlearning videos aim to give learners an accessible way to gain knowledge in a short period of time with few barriers. 

Microlearning apps

Microlearning apps centralize microlessons and microcontent into one easily accessible platform for learners to gain knowledge and skills easily. These apps range from employee resources to language learning apps. Microlearning apps should have an intuitive UX, team engagement, analytics for interpreting user data, and a well-thought-out content delivery mechanism.

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Microlearning games

Microlearning games use the gamification of information to help learners gain knowledge through playing a game. They break down information in a manner to hold learner attention. A few examples of some microlearning game types include:

• Problem-solving

• Simulations

• Puzzles

• Strategy games

Features such as achievements and leaderboards can increase engagement and improve learner workflow and performance. Microlearning games should leverage job-based scenarios, concise learning language, and ways to see learnerprogression and understanding of the content. 

Infographics

Infographics are a microlearning tool that leverages a visual representation of information as opposed to text-based content. Examples of information that may work best shown in an infographic are:

• Statistics

• Timelines

• Processes

• Geographic information

• Comparisons

• Lists

The visual approach that infographics take typically helps learners to summarize and retain information better than a solely text-based approach. 

Who uses microlearning?

Enterprises use microlearning for employees through a learning and development team to increase employee skills and development. Corporations use microlearning as a way to help managers ensure they’re respecting the time constraints of their employees. Instead of having them read a long handout, a company could use a series of short, effective microlearning modules to convey the message. 

Enterprises can also take advantage of short video lecture series to help break down the learning material used in certifications and examinations. Instead of lengthy study materials, learners can efficiently gain the skills necessary for certification through short videos. 

Benefits and limitations of microlearning

With its bite-sized knowledge, take a closer look at the pros and cons of a microlearning approach.

Some tips on how to create microlearning courses

Both campuses and enterprises can take advantage of microlearning by creating an effective microlearning environment for learners. A few steps to create a microlearning strategy:

1. Create your program with microlearning in mind.

2. Collect data and make changes.

3. Make microlearning easy and accessible. 

4. Ask questions and create rewards.

1. Create your program with microlearning in mind.

To be effective, focus on the principles of microlearning by presenting only one to two goals or points in a single module. The goal is not to create content overload, something microlearning tries to avoid by design. Existing courses are a good place to start, but only if redesigned with the brevity of microlearning.

2. Collect data and make changes.

To ensure it is working for learners, use your data findings to make changes to modules that aren’t reaching their intended goal. Microlearning happens quickly, so it is best to be proactive about aspects of the program that need to be more effective. Continually check in with learners to see if they are retaining the information.

3. Make microlearning easy and accessible.

For microlearning to be effective, it must be as easy to use and access as possible. This means taking advantage of mobile device usage so learners can access microlearning modules from anywhere. Create content with variation so that all employees have modules to interact with and learn from. Additionally, ensure the content varies in form, from multiple choice quizzes to games and videos, so that learners retain interest. 

4. Ask questions and create rewards.

Asking questions creates engagement with learners, just as in an in-person training question-and-answer session. This also helps in the implementation of modules if you have learners also asking questions, which helps focus the modules even better. 

Creating rewards and gamifying supports learner engagement. By creating badges or leaderboards, learners engage more deeply with the content , as it fosters healthy competition between employees. 

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