“Traditional” workplaces have undergone a rapid evolution process in very recent history. Employers and employees alike are finding themselves in a state of constant change. The risks of not keeping up with those changes are large and looming.
For businesses, using a microlearning platform or learning experience platform for training and education is one of the best ways to stay relevant in the constantly evolving workplace. For employees, consuming content via microlearning is a launching point for continued growth and success. And, it's a time saver.
Definition of Microlearning
Microlearning is receiving and processing new information in bite-sized pieces. Instead of forcing a mass amount of information at once, microlearning allows students to take in small bits of information in a short period of time. Bite-sized courses can happen in just a few minutes or less but have a lasting impact. Learners are able to put all their focus on the content at hand and do not have time to get distracted.
Most importantly, microlearning provides an opportunity for employees to utilize the new information immediately. At the end of a short video or presentation, a person should be given an opportunity to demonstrate they comprehend the information and understand how to apply it in a real-work scenario. It also has the power to solve a problem at hand or provide an answer to a question in a short amount of time. Learners can also use a microlearning platform to refresh their memory of previously learned information with just a few clicks, then apply it immediately to their work.
Implementing Microlearning
Microlearning is delivered best when the content is visual; served up with meaningful images or videos. Content should be updated frequently to ensure learners always have the best information at their disposal. And, don't forget about accessibility. According to Linkedin, 68% of employees like to learn at work. But, with the growing remote workforce, having an internet-based system that can be accessed anywhere at any time is vital to a continuous learning experience.
Today, that means content should be optimized for mobile devices and accessible with just a few taps no matter where the learner is located. People should be notified when new information is available, in a way that is easy to see and respond to like push notifications or emails.
While microlearning can be delivered in any form you prefer, using microlearning software designed specifically for creating and delivering bite-sized courses is the most efficient way. You want your program to be as beautiful as it is effective to hook your learners and make them want to learn day after day. If you're on the hunt for a program, the more it looks like the apps consumers use on the daily, the better.
The Importance of Microlearning
Learning on the job and on the fly is more important today than ever before. Even people with the most advanced degrees will enter the workforce unaware of how to use the technology that will appear tomorrow. Changes in products, processes, policies, and expectations happen so quickly it’s impossible to prepare too far in advance. Working in almost any industry requires a great amount of flexibility and willingness to continually learn and improve. Those who don’t prioritize learning will quickly be passed up by inexperienced people with a greater hunger for growth and development.
Simply providing information isn't enough. With lack of time being one of the major pitfalls for employee learning and development, providing a learning experience that sets employees up for success is so important. Companies who do not equip their employees to continue learning will only end up with a disgruntled workforce. Eventually, those people will start walking, and you'll lose employees to competitors who feed their need for improvement and opportunity.
Don’t become trapped by what you know, or plague your people with an environment that holds them back. Implement microlearning and encourage them to keep leveling up every day.
Zunos is a Microlearning Platform that helps you engage with your workforce. Get a demo today and see the capabilities of Zunos for yourself.
