Microlearning is an education model in which lessons are typically delivered in condensed, hyper-focused segments. It’s a form of e-learning, so the content is usually produced and accessed over the internet. Some software applications like Axonify or Gnowbe help educators and training professionals create and distribute microlearning modules to students or employees. Microlearning is most effective for ongoing education or training that can be packaged in small doses.
Microlearning principles
The principles of microlearning revolve around simplicity and accessibility. These include:
- Focus on a single learning objective. Keep each piece of content lean and straightforward.
- Don’t over-explain. Make lessons as long as needed but as short as possible.
- Leverage interactive content. Use content mediums that will engage your audience.
- Optimize for mobility. Many users access microlearning modules while on the go, so the content should be optimized for mobile devices.
- Personalize according to learning styles. Versatile microlearning content targets all learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Microlearning examples
Microlearning can take many shapes, depending on the production budget and the type of material being discussed. Microlearning lessons may look like:
- An interactive parallax-based website that displays different information as the user scrolls, like this webpage for Apple’s International Women’s Day celebration
- A bite-sized (5 minutes or less) video or podcast that gives an overview of a general topic or a simple instruction, like this What is Project Management? explainer
- An infographic that serves as a visual guide for data-centric content, like this reflection of small business sales teams
- A gamification strategy that uses incentives to motivate learning progress, like Duolingo’s points and leaderboard system
- A chatbot that can act as a guide through learning material or simulate real-world scenarios, like Botsify’s Chatbot for Education
